Water pressure/volume via well

Richard · Jun 6, 2005

My guess is the outlet just prior to the tank is not a 3/4" throughput (as compared to the 3/4" copper I'll have to the large shower with multiple heads)

I KNOW, (because I have it somewhere but can't find it) that the guy who put my well in, has a record of how deep it is, it's flow rate and I'd imagine the size of pump and it's depth.

Would it be just as simple if I were to call him and get those numbers?

Seems that should give the expected flow rated given those paramaters and that will elimiate using a choked valve to estimate "full" flow, and/or elimiate any other mistakes by me.

Yes/no?

GaryQWA · Jun 6, 2005

Richard, although this is a nice educational discussion, it's drifted way off target. Whatever the driller/pump guy can tell you isn't going to tell you your peak demand gpm.

The idea is to come up with the maximum gpm that your 'plumbing system' provides during peak demand water usage. Not how many gpm the well system can provide "before' (or after) the pressure tank at whatever water level we have in the well; or the dynamic head of the system on'on...

In other words, the softener couldn't care less about all that, it simply has to be capable of softening the maximum gpm coming out of the fixtures during peak demand of that new tropical storm shower system you're going to install, plus any other water being used during a shower.

There's no way you're going to pump the well dry. And since all softeners have a DLFC (drain line flow control) with the average say 2.5 cuft softener using about a 4.0 gpm DLFC, the well going dry during a regeneration isn't a concern.

Gary Slusser

Richard · Jun 6, 2005

( your peak demand gpm. )

Hmm.. perhaps I was misinterpreting something?

I was thinking the goal was to find out the highest amount of water the system can push through the pipes and "present" itself for use. Seems to me, that isn't really "demand" but supply.

I interpret what you say above that rather than figure out how fast the pipe can be filled, I need to find out how hard I can suck it out (via open fixtures)

?

turnkey4099 · Jun 6, 2005

( ( your peak demand gpm. )

Hmm.. perhaps I was misinterpreting something?

I was thinking the goal was to find out the highest amount of water the system can push through the pipes and "present" itself for use. Seems to me, that isn't really "demand" but supply.

I interpret what you say above that rather than figure out how fast the pipe can be filled, I need to find out how hard I can suck it out (via open fixtures)

?
)

To simplify Gary's a bit. He is saying that you need to determine what your maximum expected water use will be.
At least that is how I read it. Of course that has to conside whether the system will support that draw.

Harry K

Highbeam · Jun 7, 2005

"I need to know the flow of my water."

That is what you asked. It appears that you need to be more specific.

If you put the proposed device between the pressure tank and your faucet then your well production rate, supply, does not matter. If you put the softener between the well and the pressurization tank then the rate at which your well is adding water to the system is what matters. If you have a restrictor orifice in the softener that limits flow through the device to what it can handle then none of this really matters.

Richard · Jun 7, 2005

Do these tidbits help?

I just got my well drillers report that they filed with the state.

Total Depth 310 feet
Static Level 104 feet
Total yield 100 gpm
Pump Intake at 220 feet
HP ¾
Rated Yield 10 gpm

Just as a “fyi”,

0-49 feet = soil
49-62 feet = limestone
62-63 feet = void
63-310 = limestone

They installed 76’ of 6" casing

Does the static level of 104’ mean I have 116’ of water ABOVE my pump intake as a reserve before even counting the fact that it’s 100 gpm?? Is the static level of 104’ the same as the “head”?

Mrwurm · Jun 7, 2005

I just got my well drillers report that they filed with the state 

Sure wish I had one of those . . .

I've suffered for several years now with very low flow. I can only run on item at a time. (family of five) Someone can take a shower or someone can wash dishes but not both at the same time. My home was built in 1994. I bought it in 1997. The original owner told me that the well was 55 ft deep with a 1/2 hp pump. He did not have a copy of the well log, but he did provide me a number for the well driller. Called the driller several times, got stories such as 'can't find it', 'lost it in a flood', 'lost it in a move', and 'lost it in a fire.'

I contacted my county health department and they told me that drillers are required to post a copy of the well log with the county. Turns out, they never did. Now, the county wants me to provide the drillers name so they can go after them. What scares me is, what happens if the county does'nt get the documentation they want. Will they close down my well ? Revoke my occupancy permit ?

All of this started because I'd like to know if I have enough flow to install a larger pump.

ByronBob · Jun 7, 2005

I'm sure you'd need a permit before you could build and get the C/O. Call your local town builder assessor or inspector and he should have some documentation for you on the permit. As long as the permit was completed they can't bother you as for your well.
Low volume requires you to have a holding tank put in. I have a 120 gallon tank in my basement. You could do that to increase your water volume and do multiple things at once. They're fairly cheap in cost.

ByronBob · Jun 7, 2005

Yes your right. Believe me your water volume is nothing to be concerned about.

Highbeam · Jun 7, 2005

A 1/2 HP pump is plenty of power provided that you're not then pumping up the side of a mountain to your house. If your well head is pretty much level with your home then you should be fine if it is working.

I agree that a low flow well system must be equipped with a holding tank to act as a surge tank. That well can only make enough water to keep up with one use. If the well is run around the clock and your use is only during 12 hours of the day it will be storing up water in the tank to provide water for two uses during the same 12 hours. You get the idea.