Well Pressure low ... Any idea's?

[blueriver]

Okay today I bled out all the water, started with 28 psi in the tank, turned the pump on and no change. So I thought the tank/bladder is bad, so I decided to remove the tank. When I took the line apart it was loaded with sand. I cleaned it put it back together, started again with 28 psi and lots of pressure and lots of dirty water ... I quess this well is bad ???

[SPYDERLK]

Originally Posted by blueriver

Okay today I bled out all the water, started with 28 psi in the tank, turned the pump on and no change. So I thought the tank/bladder is bad, so I decided to remove the tank. When I took the line apart it was loaded with sand. I cleaned it put it back together, started again with 28 psi and lots of pressure and lots of dirty water ... I quess this well is bad ???

I think you just need to run it a lot to get it to clean up. You probably placed the pump lower in the well than it had been. Hope the sand stops real soon -it will grind things up. Dirty looking water may take many hours of running to clear. Set up a sprinkler on a favorite tree.
larry

[saltman]

I wouldn't give up yet. You have a well that hasn't been used for years that has water in it!that's a good thing. I would disconnect the pressure tank and let the pump pump a few hundred gallons or more.

I don't know much about wells but my new well had a lot of grit in it for the first 2,000 gallons or so. I would guess a well that's sat for a long time would be the same.

Derik

[studor]

I would try and pump the well "dry" without the pressure tank and just let it run. The well is bound to have sediment and some of the veins bearing the water are likely to be plugged with it. Pump it for a long time and if it runs out of water let it refill and do it again -- you will probably end up without the sediment and with higher flow. If you are worried about contamination you might want to toss a cup of bleach down before you pump it out -- not very scientific but it works. The bleach will off gas and be gone in short order

[jimmysisson]

Also, did you test the depth of the well, or take someone's word for it? Maybe the well has silted in to 65'? Also, silt may have fouled the foot valve at the pump, so it leaks down.
It will be worth the trouble if you can get this old girl working right.
Jim

[blueriver]

I did test the depth, a wrench tied onto a string!! Things are looking better, since I cleaned the sand out and so to speak "re-booted" I have outstanding pressure. I hooked up a garden hose to a sprinkler head on the feedlot at the hog pen, afterall the hogs sure like that during the hot part of the day. I let that sprinkle for 4-5hrs. This evening, from the short hose I am only getting a very brief discoloration when the pump kicks on ...and I mean very brief just long enough that if you were not watching you would miss it. My neighbor said I should drop a half a 5 gallon bucket of pearock down there, says that will help?? Anyway, I am feeling much better, maybe it will be alright!!

[ampsucker]

i would hesitate to put anything down in there. the well should clear itself of sand and small debris as long as you have good open flowing lines. hey, it's only been up and running less than a week! i think you are doing good! you did right to keep the well pump 10' from the measured bottom. i think the action of the pump is just stirring up the silted in sand and such that has sloughed off the walls.

as stated, if you want it potable for humans or domestic animals, have it tested. if it turns out not to have any chemical contamination (heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) , then you can disinfect the biologicals with chlorine tablets and be good to go! be sure to watch your watershed, though. these shallow wells are easily contaminated.

amp

[blueriver]

Thanks for all the help, every idea has pointed me to a positive result. Anyway ... as for being potable, I should know in a few days, those darn hogs just stand there and take in all they can. If its bad, heck ya'll are invited to a big ole hog roast!! The well water is so much cooler than the city water and they just indulge themselves, I need to get me a thermometer to get the readings. I'll keep you posted ... Thanks again!!