Irrigation Well Problem

[RickD]

There was an irrigation well present when I bought this house, but the pump didn't work. I bought a new pump & installed it. It runs, but no water comes out. I filled the well with water to find out if it might be blocked. The water goes down very slowly. Can you help?

 

[Teets]

If the pump runs correct amperage with no water delivery at the outlet with the water level in the well going down, I would suspect an underground leak and would be prepared to do some pressure testing.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

After you filled the well with water, was the pump working? Was the water "going down slowly" in the drop pipe or the well casing? How far down is the water? What kind of pump, sub or above ground?

 

[RickD]

Yes, the pump's working. Water was going down slowly in the drop pipe. The water is down around 15 ft...it's an above ground pump.

 

[Valveman]

Put a new foot valve on the bottom of the drop pipe and make sure all the connections are tight. Most jet pumps will lift from 15', just not if you have a leak in that suction line.

 

[RickD]

Sorry, my mistake...I meant well casing, not drop pipe. I appreciate your expertise.

 

[Valveman]

Water going down slow in the casing means water will probably come out slow as well. If a well won't take water, it won't make water. So when you get the pump running, see what the pumping level of the well is. A jet pump can't lift from much more than 20'.