Water Storage Systems: A Solution for Low Yield Wells

If you're struggling with a water well that doesn't produce enough water, this post is for you. We'll walk you through installing a low-producing well reservoir tank to ensure a consistent water supply for your home.

Introduction

Hi, Jonathan from Rain Brothers here. Today we're addressing a common issue: low-yield water wells. Specifically, we'll walk through installing a reservoir tank in a basement to manage a well that only produces 20 gallons at a time before cutting off. The method involves pumping water into a reservoir tank and drawing from it, rather than directly from the well.

Choosing the Right Tank

The first step is selecting the appropriate tank. We use Norwesco's 500-gallon freestanding potable water tank, which has a narrow profile designed to fit through doorways — making it ideal for basement installations.

Setting Up the Tank

After placing the tank, locate the well water line entering your house. In our example, it was conveniently located right next to the tank.

1. Shut off power and drain water: Turn off the well pump's power and drain all water pressure from the system.
2. Cut and redirect the piping: Cut a section of the piping to redirect water from the well into the top of the tank.

Installing the Pump

Inside the reservoir tank, install the Springer Series traditional pump.

1. Plumbing: Connect the plumbing from the tank to the house's existing water supply line, where the old well pump was connected.
2. Using the existing pressure tank: Repurpose the existing pressure tank — it will now work with the reservoir pump to supply water to the house.

Handling Electrical Connections

1. Interrupt and redirect: Redirect the wire from the pressure switch to the Little Fuse Pump Saver.
2. Pump Saver: This device monitors the pump's load to detect if there is water in the well. If it detects air, it shuts down the pump to prevent damage.

Safety Measures

1. Float switches: Install a normally closed float switch inside the reservoir tank to shut off the pump when the tank is full.
2. Overflow system: Since there was no drain in the basement, we ran an overflow pipe into a five-gallon bucket with a WaterPro Well Stop Water Detection Sensor with two metal probes. If the tank overflows, the probes activate and shut off the well pump.

Final Checks and Troubleshooting

1. Pump Saver interval: Set to 160 minutes to prevent the pump from running dry.
2. Float switch operation: Verify it works correctly by visual inspection. Shaking it can help if it gets stuck.
3. Overflow device: Check the overflow bucket for moisture to confirm it will shut off the well pump if needed.
4. Household supply: Confirm the Springer Series traditional pump provides sufficient water to the house. Adjust the float switch if needed.

Products and Services

Call us at (937) 949-1100 or email us at catchingtherain@gmail.com to get a freight quote on a 500-Gallon Freestanding Potable Water Tank. If it makes sense, we'll prepare a full estimate including our Reservoir Tank System for Low-Producing Well.

Summary

Managing a low-yield water well involves installing a reservoir tank to store water, redirecting plumbing, installing a new pump, handling electrical connections, and implementing safety measures. Following these steps will ensure a consistent water supply for your household.

Note: This post was created using information from the YouTube video "How to fix a low-yield water well."