Artesian Well Causing Air in Lines

[miket0813]

We have a 1400 sq ft cabin with a constant flowing artesian well. The well fills up a storage tank in the crawl space, and overflows to the river. There is a 1/4 hp jet pump that comes off of the storage tank and a 52 gallon pressure tank behind the pump. The system seems to be operating fine, but we are getting massive amounts of air from all of the faucets. This has been going on for quite some time, and may possibly have started with the addition of the larger pressure tank. Any thoughts?

 

[Valveman]

May have happened when you installed the tank. But most likely you have a leak on the suction line somewhere.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[miket0813]

May have happened when you installed the tank. But most likely you have a leak on the suction line somewhere.

You are thinking a leak between the storage tank and the pump? If so, I cannot see anything. The tank has a foot of pipe, then the check valve, then 3 feet of pipe, then the pump.

 

[Reach4]

There is a 1/4 hp jet pump

That would be a rare pump.

 

[miket0813]

That would be a rare pump.

Sorry, I meant a 1/2 hp pump.

 

[Valveman]

You can't see an air leak. Having a foot valve and a check valve is not good and could be part of the problem.

 

[miket0813]

You can't see an air leak. Having a foot valve and a check valve is not good and could be part of the problem.

No foot valve, just the check valve between the storage tank and the jet pump. Maybe I will just replace that section of pipe, and replace the check valve as well?

 

[miket0813]

I purchased a new poly storage tank...200 gallons, and was planning to just replace the old metal tank that is in place today. I am now wondering if I should completely change the setup and use the submersible Hallmark pump I keep reading about. The tank has a removable lid that screws down. It also has a 1.5" fill towards the top and 1.5" drain towards the bottom. Both of those are threaded. How would I use the submersible pump with this tank? I know that I would tie the artesian well input into the top 1.5" fill opening, but more interested in how to make the cistern water-tight with the hallmark pump inside. The well has a constant flow of about 1.5 gpm.

 

[Valveman]

Cut a 4" hole in the top and use a 4X1 well seal to hold the pump off the bottom.

 

[miket0813]

Cut a 4" hole in the top and use a 4X1 well seal to hold the pump off the bottom.

View attachment 101950

Thanks for that! So the Well Seal will be watertight? Would I use PVC to connect to the pump?

 

[Valveman]

With a little caulking you could make it watertight. But that tank will need a vent anyway, and a little venting around the wire or well seal won't hurt. Without caulking it should at least be bugsafe. Lol!

I would use 1" PVC or poly.

 

[Valveman]

Don't forget the flow inducer sleeve.

 

[miket0813]

Don't forget the flow inducer sleeve.
View attachment 101954

Very helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain everything!