Stick M
New Member
My 2/2 house's water supply system consists of a 5/8" municipal water meter, a ? gallon reservoir with a 3/4 hp submersible well pump, approximately 1050 (horizontal) feet of 2" PVC connected to an 85 gallon pressure tank (with pressure switch, set at 35/50 psi). The tank is about 190 feet (vertically) above the pump. I get about 7 GPM from a hose with steady pressure just under 40 psi. I know I am near the upper end of my pump's capacity. The house and "system" have been in this configuration for about 25 years.
The property has a 40 year old commitment to share water with an undeveloped lot located about 850 feet from the pump (200' from my house) and as much as 50' vertically below my house. At the time of the commitment, there was a reservoir and submersible pump adjacent to the lower house, which has since been removed.
At some point in time I will have to share the system and I want to make sure it works well for both houses.
My first concern is the capacity of the system to serve two houses. There is minimal, if any irrigation demand, but what the domestic demand of a new house might be is unknown. Any thoughts on this issue is appreciated. A larger pump would require replacing the 1050' of electrical wire.
My second concern is the elevation difference between the two sites and the impacts to my low end pressure. Although the topo sheet seem to indicate 50' vertical, it does not appear visually to be that much, but even at 30' that would be 13 psi differential.
I have the option of requiring the new house to re-install the original reservoir, a smaller pump and pressure tank to service only the new house. I am not sure if a low pressure regulator would be needed on the reservoir feed or not, since the the loss of pressure at my tank would start the pump.
I think a second option would be to simply allow a direct connection to 2". I think my 85 gallon tank may be large enough. In this scenario, a regulator to restrict the feed into new house to 50 psi may help prevent a sharp pressure drop if a hose spigot is opened.
The 40 year old commitment is overly simplistic. Most of the neighbors I have had in my life have been very good neighbors and I am hopeful I am lucky enough to have another one here. If so, we'll work it out from day one. But I am flat-lander and could use some advice.
Thank you
The property has a 40 year old commitment to share water with an undeveloped lot located about 850 feet from the pump (200' from my house) and as much as 50' vertically below my house. At the time of the commitment, there was a reservoir and submersible pump adjacent to the lower house, which has since been removed.
At some point in time I will have to share the system and I want to make sure it works well for both houses.
My first concern is the capacity of the system to serve two houses. There is minimal, if any irrigation demand, but what the domestic demand of a new house might be is unknown. Any thoughts on this issue is appreciated. A larger pump would require replacing the 1050' of electrical wire.
My second concern is the elevation difference between the two sites and the impacts to my low end pressure. Although the topo sheet seem to indicate 50' vertical, it does not appear visually to be that much, but even at 30' that would be 13 psi differential.
I have the option of requiring the new house to re-install the original reservoir, a smaller pump and pressure tank to service only the new house. I am not sure if a low pressure regulator would be needed on the reservoir feed or not, since the the loss of pressure at my tank would start the pump.
I think a second option would be to simply allow a direct connection to 2". I think my 85 gallon tank may be large enough. In this scenario, a regulator to restrict the feed into new house to 50 psi may help prevent a sharp pressure drop if a hose spigot is opened.
The 40 year old commitment is overly simplistic. Most of the neighbors I have had in my life have been very good neighbors and I am hopeful I am lucky enough to have another one here. If so, we'll work it out from day one. But I am flat-lander and could use some advice.
Thank you