Suggestions on low yield well/water storage system

[Kwill808]

When my well was first drilled in Nov '21 my well driller rated it at 5pm, 160ft depth and 90 ft static. I started lightly using the well in the spring on '23 where I employed a Grundfos 10gpm 3/4hp 240v pump with a 40/60 pressure tank. I found out last week that my well only held around 35gal of water and the yield was most likely less than 1gpm. Well driller came back out and said that maybe the limestone cracked and the water leaked out so we drilled deeper to 300ft with no real success. The well is now 1gpm yield, 300 ft depth and 162 ft static water level.

Since the well will not be able to support my family of 5 directly I have been looking at storage tank solutions. In the interest of limiting additional costs and getting water as quick as possible so I can hopefully move in soon as was planned I have come up with the following and am looking for critique and/or suggestions. I will salvage my well pump by setting at 280ft and directly pumping into a 250gal doorway tank set in my crawlspace (4.5ft of head room) which would be controlled by a float switch. I will use some kind of pump (need some suggestions here) controlled by pressure switch to pump from storage tank to pressure tank.

I really want to stress the importance of limiting cost and effort to get back up and running. I've already dropped more money on this well system than was budgeted and I was hoping to move into the house by the end of this month (which probably won't happen at this point).

 

[Reach4]

5 gpm 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP pump. I understand those cost more than 10 gpm pumps. I would go 2 wire, unless you plan to run from a generator. https://www.ebay.com/itm/285365128780 for example.

If your well is 5 inch or bigger, you could consider adding a flow inducer to that. The flow inducer is cheap.

Consider a device to shut down the pump for a while if the well runs dry. https://cyclestopvalves.com/collections/cycle-sensor-pump-monitors

Inside of the tank, you could use a horizontal 10 GPM 1/2 HP submersible pump with a flow inducer.

Also see https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/setting-up-low-flow-well-cistern-house.61658/

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Kwill808]

5 gpm 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP pump. I understand those cost more than 10 gpm pumps. I would go 2 wire, unless you plan to run from a generator. https://www.ebay.com/itm/285365128780 for example.

If your well is 5 inch or bigger, you could consider adding a flow inducer to that. The flow inducer is cheap.

Consider a device to shut down the pump for a while if the well runs dry. https://cyclestopvalves.com/collections/cycle-sensor-pump-monitors

Inside of the tank, you could use a horizontal 10 GPM 1/2 HP submersible pump with a flow inducer.

Also see https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/setting-up-low-flow-well-cistern-house.61658/

Are you saying that my current well pump will not be able to handle pumping from 280ft to a storage tank which is about 50ft from the well head? Having to scrap the use of that pump would be a huge loss.

 

[Reach4]

After further review, I think it will work. Sorry for missing that.

 

[Kwill808]

5 gpm 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP pump. I understand those cost more than 10 gpm pumps. I would go 2 wire, unless you plan to run from a generator. https://www.ebay.com/itm/285365128780 for example.

If your well is 5 inch or bigger, you could consider adding a flow inducer to that. The flow inducer is cheap.

Consider a device to shut down the pump for a while if the well runs dry. https://cyclestopvalves.com/collections/cycle-sensor-pump-monitors

Inside of the tank, you could use a horizontal 10 GPM 1/2 HP submersible pump with a flow inducer.

Also see https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/setting-up-low-flow-well-cistern-house.61658/

My well pump has dry run protection on it. Would that eliminate the need for the cycle sensor? Any opinions on jet pumps or booster pumps (such as the Grundfos Scala1) for pumping from the storage tank to the pressure tank?

 

[Reach4]

My well pump has dry run protection on it. Would that eliminate the need for the cycle sensor? Any opinions on jet pumps or booster pumps (such as the Grundfos Scala1) for pumping from the storage tank to the pressure tank?

1. If your Grundfos pump has run-dry protection, that would imply that it is an SQ 3-inch pump. It's close, but the curve it looks like a 10SQ07-200 would do the job of filling your cistern. I would very much suggest a 3-inch flow inducer.

https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/lets-talk-inducer-sleeves.78342/#post-570428 is one of the threads that describes flow inducer construction. There are more choices, and putting "inducer" into the search box will turn up more.

For 3 inch pipe selection, see https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/franklin-c1-cistern-pump-mated-with-csv.95826/ #18 and #5

2. With the search function above, search for "Scala".

 

[Bannerman]

A 250 gallon cistern is really too small for a family of 5.

Water consumption has historically been estimated at 75 gal/day/pp, but now with low flow toilets, front load laundry and other water reducing appliances and fixtures, 60 gal/day/pp is often utilized for estimating consumption.

In addition to the per person estimates, any backwashing water treatment systems, swimming pool, hot tub, irrigation, vehicle washing and often a ground source heat pump, will each consume some amount of water which also must be considered.

While I realize a 1 gpm well can provide up to 1,440 gallons per day, allowing the well pump to top up the cistern numerous times per day, even so, a 250 gallon tank provides no capacity margin incase of breakdown or other issue with the well pump and piping. Consider additional cistern(s) to increase storage capacity to provide at least 2, or ideally, 3 or more days in storage. An even larger cistern can provide a source of water for fire control, should the need ever arise.

 

[Bannerman]

some kind of pump (need some suggestions here) controlled by pressure switch to pump from storage tank to pressure tank.

While a 1 HP pump will be more than you need, a 1 HP Hallmark MA0414X-7
33 GPM, 115 volt submersible pump is extremely low cost. That pump has been recommended on this forum numerous times, particularly for applications such as yours, and each seem to be operating reliably over time.

To control water delivery from the pump to cause it to deliver only the exact volume of water that is being utilized at any particular time which will eliminate cycling, and also to provide constant pressure, a Cycle Stop Valve is highly recommended.

The PK1A Pside-Kick kit includes a CSV, pressure switch, wall brackets and an appropriately sized pressure tank, offered as a reasonably priced package.

PK1-A package

 

[Valveman]

Thanks for the help guys. Trying to be a little more retired these days. Lol! You can get the Hallmark 1HP submersible or there are jet pumps for less than 200 bucks as well. You may still need a Cycle Sensor as you will need to restrict the flow from the well to like 1 GPM. This is OK for the pump but most dry well protectors will shut the pump down when the amps drop from being restricted.