[Shop-talk] Well water installation

[Wayne]

On 8/15/2011 8:09 AM, eric at megageek.com wrote:
> OK, now that the oil tank removal is behind me, I'm working on my next
> major project, installing a well.

I've had one [well system] for the last 9.5 years, and by necessity have 
learned a lot about them.

#1  Get a BIG ASS pressure tank.  You really can not go too large.  You 
need one that lets the pump run for a minute or more.  It's the storage 
buffer between the well and house.  Electric motors LIKE to run for a 
sustained period, not on - off - on -off.  That will burn up the pump 
motor and run up your electric bill.  Many (most?) well companies will 
try to install a little tank to keep the cost attractive.  If a company 
proposes such in their quote, RUN AWAY and seek someone else.  My house 
had a little 20 gallon tank that had 5 gallons of "draw down". So the 
11.5 gallon/minute pump ran for less than 30 seconds per cycle.  Since 
doing it right [myself] I have an 82 gallon Flexcon Inc, "Flex Lite" 
tank that does 22 gallons draw down at 60 psi.  The pump runs for just 
over 2 minutes a cycle, oh yeah !  It is hard to sense the vibes from my 
well pump 180 feet down, but I think it's much happier.  In Western 
North Carolina, I'd recommend Appalachian Well and Green River Well.

#2 try to get a "pitless adapter" vs an out the top pipe.  You Do not 
have to worry about them freezing.  [assuming you are in most of the 
country that occasionally freezes]

#3 get a PVC or stainless steel sleeve in the ground.  Using other 
materials that rapidly rust makes for short longevity and rust in your 
water.

#4 I like to support my local vendors as much as possible, but in this 
case none of them were wiling to come close to price.  These guys are a 
vendor I recommend:   http://www.wwpp.com/

-wayne