Drilled well issue

[homewellAL]

Hi,
Looking for some direction here. Want to get a couple of opinions, not just our local guy's.

I have a drilled well with these specs: (given at time of drilling in 2000, before I was owner of home)

• depth: 257ft
• water depth: 127ft
• pump placement: 160ft
• pump HP: 3/4, 220 v (3 wire)
  
• water pipe diam: 3/4" (but I think this is wrong as it has a 1" T at the top of the well casing)
• drilled with 8 1/2 drill bit, 4" casing

Ok, so the well is used primarily for irrigation. Historically the well has performed as expected without any lack of water. I have noticed that something wasn't right for probably a year, but due to low use it sufficed and I did nothing. There was one point where it had no pressure and it was determined that the pressure tank was bad so I replaced that (bought Oct. 2013, 20gal, 100-75psi). It seemed to have good pressure for a while and then it would loose pressure, but at times would pick back up. We are now going to use it more and need it to work correctly.

I just replaced the old pressure gauge because the needle wasn't moving smoothly. Current cut out is 58 psi, cut in is 44 psi, pressure tank is 42 psi.

Here is what happens when you simply open the valve to an open ended water hose:

1. Start at 58 psi
2. Slowly drop to 44 psi
3. Pump kicks on and pressure immediately drops (on first trial it dropped to 30 and then quickly on down to 15psi; on second trial it went directly to 15 psi)
4. Runs at 15psi with 5 gal/min rate (first trial ran for about 5 min, second trial 2 min)
5. Drops to 0 psi with 2-2.25 gal/min rate. will run at this rate indefinitely, with intermittent occasions of jumping back up to 10-15 psi.
6. After you shut off the valve/hose, it will immediately jump in pressure, quickly return to around 45-50 psi and then slowly (takes about 5 min) climb back up to cut out pressure.

So, what do you think my issue is? Be glad to provide any additional info that is helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Valveman]

You need a clip around amp meter. If the pump is pulling 7 amps, you have a hole in the drop pipe. If the pump starts at 7 amps and drops to 4, then you are either running out of water or a screen is clogged.

 

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[Texas Wellman]

Agree with valve man. Sounds like it needs pulled and jetted.

 

[homewellAL]

Thanks for your replies. I'll let everyone know once I get to the bottom of the problem.