Water Pressure

[PILOON]

LOL, put a booster pump on your intake thereby sucking from the main and boosting to your desired pressure.
The main line will act as your reservoir.
You could set your pressure at 60 PSI if you wanted.

This way the main would act like your reservoir (at lower pressure)
(From what I have read, volume is not your problem but pressure is.)

The system main line will be your reservoir, replenished by their pumps, but at low pressure due to your elevation.
Should solve the problem.

 

[3Ts]

I also got a quote for 2500 just for the pump and parts, not including a tank. ~1200 of that was for the pump.

WHAT???:shocked: I'm really interested in what they are proposing. As long as you have some pressure all the time even if it's only a little all you need is a pump, pressure tank and pressure switch. Jet pumps are commonly used for shallow wells that are less than 25' deep. Jet pumps are essentially a centrifugal pump with an injector to provide more lift in a well. The pump should only be a few hundred based on the size you need, a pressure switch to control the pump and a pressure tank to smooth out the water flow. Plumbing is simple - pipe from the community water tap goes to the inlet of the pump. The pump output goes to the house with a Tee near the pump for the pressure switch and another Tee for the pressure tank.

If you go with that 1500 gallon storage tank, the cost will be much more and you'll need a float switch in addition to all the above.

P.S. be sure the pump is a potable water pump and not an irrigation or swimming pool pump.

 

[3Ts]

Here's a pump with the pressure switch already built in and plumbed. All you need is a pressure tank:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-HP-Shallow-Well-Jet-Pump-J200A3/204478353
Here's a pressure tank:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Water-Worker-32-Gal-Pressurized-Well-Tank-HT32B/202846484
Miscellaneous pipe parts and you should be all set.
Note: this is only an example, you'll need to determine the sizing of all parts based on your application.

Well, apparently those links don't work so let's try this one:
Well Pumps & Systems - Pumps - The Home Depot
You should be able to put one in for ~$500

 

[PILOON]

Booster pump that should do the trick,
AquaPro
3/4 HP Stainless Steel Automatic Booster Pump
Found it at Home Depot at a tad over $300. as in the link sent by 3Ts

 

[Valveman]

I think the pumps at the pump house are actually coming on at like 80 lbs and shutting off at 100 psi. I am not sure if there is a CSV but I know there are two pumps that alternate. I think the answer is for me to install a tank of my own and then add a pressure tank and pump on my own property. I think if I install a 1500 gal tank i can just draw off that and create my own pressure then they can do whatever they want. Does anyone know where I can get a drawing of how to hook that up and the maintenance required for that? I also got a quote for 2500 just for the pump and parts, not including a tank. ~1200 of that was for the pump. I have seen pumps for 1/3 of that at the big box stores. The installer claimed they are cheap and the one he sells is much more reliable. Is it really worth the extra $$. I could buy like 3 cheap ones for the cost of the expensive one. Thoughts???

No there is no Cycle Stop Valve on the main well pump or the pressure would just stay at a constant 95 PSI instead of continually going from 80 to 100. That would solve your pressure problem and several more on the well pump. A storage tank is a good idea as it gives you some reserve. However, now you will need to chlorinate the water in the storage tank occasionally as the water will get stale and green. Just a cup every now and then should be enough. If you use a booster pump with the old pressure tank/pressure switch only method, your pressure will continually change between 40 and 60 PSI. Adding a CSV to a system like that will give you constant 50 PSI. A constant 50 PSI is much stronger shower pressure than an average 50 PSI you get when the pump is cycling on/off between 40 and 60. Not to mention the constant pressure will make your pump last longer and let you use a much smaller pressure tank.

 

[Valveman]

You can also use a submersible pump in the storage tank. There is a 1HP. 33 GPM Hallmark selling for about 150 bucks that makes a great cistern pump.

 

[gb6049]

You can install you own storage tank with a simple float cut off valve that is filled from the public source. You would only need a tank equivalent to you daily usage. It would refill during the period you are not using water. You could then connect that to a booster pump and a pressure tank to boost your pressure to what ever you want it to be.

I had a similar problem and installed a 1.5 hp pump with a 35 gal pressure tank. Ended up installing a CSV. I also installed a couple bypass lines for maintenance along with a connection direct to the public line since it varies so much. I am at the peak of the hill so I get varied fluctuations. My set up cost less than $600.

 

[ultrarunner]

Several neighborhoods around here have a booster pump with captive air tank... later most have bladder tanks.

One recent homeowner was concerned when the sprinklers stop working... I came over and found 20 psi pressure...

I then asked if anyone looked at the booster pump and tank... the glazed over expression followed...

They had lived in their new to them home for 5 months... had no idea about a booster pump or tank

Then, one of the kids said something was running on/off for days... well, the captive air tank had not been serviced... so the booster pump short cycled and failed.

With a new pump and air back in the tank it never fell below 40 psi with a 60 cut off...

I recommended a bladder tank so they would not have the on going duty to service the captive tank.

With Smart Homes/Automation I expect many homeowners simply will have no clue as to the how or why of things they use every day...

 

[kc5dlo]

The problem with a small water supply co-op is any repairs and upgrades will have to be paid for by the people it serves. Redesigning and replacing the system could cost a small fortune. Look for a small booster pump system to install at your home. Something like this might work for you and is cheap. 12W 1.6HP Shallow Well Water Booster Garden Pump w/ Pressure Tank 1GPH HD | eBay
Obviously you can spend a lot more money and something with a little bigger tank might be worthwhile depending on the space you have.

 

[Valveman]

The problem with a small water supply co-op is any repairs and upgrades will have to be paid for by the people it serves. Redesigning and replacing the system could cost a small fortune. Look for a small booster pump system to install at your home. Something like this might work for you and is cheap. 12W 1.6HP Shallow Well Water Booster Garden Pump w/ Pressure Tank 1GPH HD | eBay
Obviously you can spend a lot more money and something with a little bigger tank might be worthwhile depending on the space you have.

The old saying "you get what you pay for" really applies with those cheap all in one booster pump things.