Something doesn't add up on my deep well pump

[Retired IT guy]

My deep well pump died after 24 years of use. The plaque on the well head said the well was 200 feet deep, but when I pulled it up yesterday the pump was only 100 feet deep. Why drill a 200 foot well and only sink the pump halfway? Should I place the new pump at the same depth or try to go lower? Would depth affect the iron content in the water? Originally the well was for the house and outside but the previous owner had city water connected to the house due to the tremendous amount of iron in the well water.

 

[Reach4]

My deep well pump died after 24 years of use. The plaque on the well head said the well was 200 feet deep, but when I pulled it up yesterday the pump was only 100 feet deep. Why drill a 200 foot well and only sink the pump halfway? Should I place the new pump at the same depth or try to go lower?

When they drilled through the waterproof strata, the water rose.

Another advantage is that any sediment from below will probably not get sucked into the pump.

If you have never run out of water, the same depth is probably good.

Would depth affect the iron content in the water?

The depth that you set up the pump is not going to affect the iron unless there is some ferric iron that settles that you don't suck up with the pump higher. Expect the ferric (dissolved) iron to be the same.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Retired IT guy]

Thanks so much! The static level was 20 feet in 1994, it looks like it is about 10 feet now. I have been looking at pumps that were rated for over 200 feet, so I guess now I can expand my search.

 

[Reach4]

Yes. I would select a 1/2 HP 10 GPM pump. This is a table to describe what such a pump would do.

 

[Retired IT guy]

Again, thank you. The old pump is a Jacuzzi but only lists the model number, which I can't find the specs for online. I don't know the average life, but 24 years seems pretty good. I ordered a 1 HP 33 GPM pump just in case I decide to put a water softener on the well and convert it back to household use. We are outside of the town limits and they charge us three times what they charge the next neighborhood over, which is inside the town limits.

 

[Reach4]

Post the model number. Some people have 25 year old catalogs or lists available.

 

[Valveman]

If it is any deeper than 50' to water in the well, that 1HP, 33 GPM Hallmark will not be able to build to 60 PSI for the pressure switch cut off.

 

[Retired IT guy]

Here is a pic of the only tag on the pump

 

[Retired IT guy]

If it is any deeper than 50' to water in the well

I can see water at less than 10 feet, and the original pump was at 100 feet in a 200 foot deep well. Will the Hallmark be sufficient for that if I drop it to 100 feet?

 

[Valveman]

I can see water at less than 10 feet, and the original pump was at 100 feet in a 200 foot deep well. Will the Hallmark be sufficient for that if I drop it to 100 feet?

Only if the water level doesn't pull down deeper than 50'.

 

[Retired IT guy]

Only if the water level doesn't pull down deeper than 50'.

What would you recommend?

 

[Reach4]

That pump, with probably some change, is still offered as the Franklin J class, where J stands for Jacuzzi. At least the model number is still available.

 

[Valveman]

I agree with Reach that a 10 GPM, 1/2HP would be a better fit. If the water level gets close to or deeper than 50', the 1/2HP will actually pump more water at 40-50 PSI (10-15 GPM) than the 33 GPM, 1HP. But if the water level stays above 50' when pumping, that 1HP will do about the same as the 10 GPM, 1/2HP, and for 135 bucks I think I would try it too.

A 33 GPM, 1HP won't pump from very deep and won't build much pressure. But when it will fit the application, (shallow well/low pressure) it will work. And it is apparently a bargain model from the pump company for some reason.

 

[Retired IT guy]

And it is apparently a bargain model from the pump company for some reason.

I know you get what you pay for, but I also know you don't need a $2000 laptop to check your emails (Sorry, I don't think in plumbing terms). This will be very lightly used, and if I do convert the house back to the well, our usage is only around 2200 gallons a month.Thanks for your input, though, I still love to learn as much about any project that I can I so appreciate this site and all of the professionals who are willing to share their knowledge.

 

[Retired IT guy]

I received the pump yesterday and installed it today. It looks like I am getting around 25GPM at 100 feet. Thanks again for the advice!