Well again! What else can it be? FRUSTRATED!

[Redneck in training]

Wade,
look in the specification how much head the pump can push. You might need pump with more stages.

 

[clovergamecock]

Wade, what's the reason the well can't be drilled deeper.

Well driller said he would not drill deeper because "He didn't know what was left down there and did not want to ruin a $500 bit". Sound reasonable??? We are contacting a couple of other drillers today.

Also, My electrician buddy brought me his AMP guage this morning. I just tested both legs going to the pump and when it comes on I am getting a steady 8.3 amps until it kicks off. The well guy Tuesday said that the 12gpm pump was working to hard at 8.4 and should only be in the 5.5-5.6 range. The 3/4 pump is running in the 8.3 same as the 1HP.

Does this sound bad?
If it is running to high could that be caused by lose, broken or freyed wire?
Even if a wire was lose or broken the pump is running and pumps water till it runs out and continues to pump until I shut the breaker off. This just sounds to me like a dry\low well and not a wiring problem.

Thoughts??

 

[radioman]

honestly? If you pulled the pump, you proabably would have noticed by now if the wiring is nicked, burnt, or whatever. Your cheapest option right now is to create a internal water cistern. This means you would need two pumps - one in your well to fill cistern, and another shallow well to pump water into where you need it. This can be complicated, fast. Perhaps you might want to split your water loads during the low peak times you use the water for.

If I were you, I would be setting up a tank in your barn above your watering troughs and setup a timer like they use for watering the lawns with and run it only at night when you are sleeping to fill the tank(s). When you need the water, you can just open the valve and fill the through by gravity for the animals.This way, you can build up your water reserve back up for your household needs , but still have a large volume of water in barn needs. This would be your fastest workaround solution until you get the well figured out or save the cost of drilling a new one.

 

[dmccarty]

Well driller said he would not drill deeper because "He didn't know what was left down there and did not want to ruin a $500 bit". Sound reasonable??? We are contacting a couple of other drillers today.

...

Thoughts??

Depending on what it costs to drill per foot, it seems like it would be cheaper to risk ruining a $500 bit than to drill a new well. What is the rate to drill per foot?

30-40 feet of water in the well is not much water. If you have a six inch diameter well, there is 1.5 gallons per linear foot, so you only have 45-60 gallons.

Our shower and faucets only use 1 GPM max. I know because I timed and measured the water flow. Our dish and clothes washers only use 10 gallons which is not much water. While you work out the water supply issue can you control the water demand by spreading out the showers and restricting how much is used. No reason the family can't do Navy showers for a few days.

Later,
Dan

 

[turnkey4099]

Well driller said he would not drill deeper because "He didn't know what was left down there and did not want to ruin a $500 bit". Sound reasonable??? We are contacting a couple of other drillers today.

Also, My electrician buddy brought me his AMP guage this morning. I just tested both legs going to the pump and when it comes on I am getting a steady 8.3 amps until it kicks off. The well guy Tuesday said that the 12gpm pump was working to hard at 8.4 and should only be in the 5.5-5.6 range. The 3/4 pump is running in the 8.3 same as the 1HP.

Does this sound bad?
If it is running to high could that be caused by lose, broken or freyed wire?
Even if a wire was lose or broken the pump is running and pumps water till it runs out and continues to pump until I shut the breaker off. This just sounds to me like a dry\low well and not a wiring problem.

Thoughts??

When the well drillers are there, ask about "Fracing" the well. Lot's cheaper than drilling and no well driller will gaurantee hitting good water. Your problem sounds like the aquifer you are in has been depleted and you stand a chance of hitting the same one again.

Low flow wells _can_ be sufficient and produce more water than you need but it takes water management. Simplest is a cistern with the well pump used to fill it on a timer to be sure it never pumps the well dry. Then a float switch in the cistern to cut power to the well pump whenever the tank is full. Then a "booster pump" to supply the house from the cistern. Probably lots cheaper than than a 300 ft well. Something to consider and ask your drillers about it.

Harry K

 

[clovergamecock]

Dan,
I served 6 years in the NAVY. I remeber those showers!! Either scallding hot or ice cold! You did not want to stay in there long. I call my son Hollywood because he takes 30 min showers!! Needless to say that has stopped!

Does anyone know the cost of drilling a new well?? I have read $12 per foot but I cannot see that being the case. That would mean a 300' well would be $3600. if that were the case I would not feel to bad. But I kinda doubt this.

W

 

[Dr Dave]

Were are you located? Around here 5 to 6K for a turn key system, most are around 250' to 300' deep. $12 a foot is to drill, casing, pump, pipe, wire and pitless adapter are all extra.

 

[clovergamecock]

I am in South Carolina. The $12 I mentioned was listed on all the sites that I went to was marked all inclusive. Not sure exactly what that would mean but again I find it hard to believe that my 305' well would have only cost $3660...... If its true I would be excited but I don't think this will be the outcome.

 

[tcartwri]

This might be worth researching, particularly if they are just going to drill into the same aquifer.

Central Virginia Well Fracturing - Hydro fracturing to increase water flow

Fact Sheet for Water Well Development by Hydrofracturing | Environment and Conservation

I have used borehole cameras at work, and they can be a very valuable tool in inspecting a well. See if any of your local contractors have one available.

 

[clovergamecock]

Thanks Tim. I have asked about fracking but so far out of the 2 I talked to they do not due it. I really don't know if they even understand it. One guy told me they through dynamite in the well.

But the quotes I am getting are $10 per foot complete but reusing my line and pump since they are new. I am actually surprised and don't feel as bad as I did.