How Does a Well Water System Work?

When the water suddenly stops or a funny smell now comes from the tap, this question often arises for homeowners with wells: how does a well water system actually work? Consequently, it’s often when these well repair or maintenance needs occur that many homeowners gain insight into the intricacies of their home well water system. In this guide, learn about the components of your well water system, how this system works and the importance of routine inspections, water testing and maintenance.

How Does a Well Water System Work: The Basic Components and Process

Given the numerous factors that may impact well location and system components, the exact specifications of each household’s unique well water system may vary. Below, learn more about common parts of a home well water system and how each functions to provide you and your family with the necessary water for daily living.

• Well Casing: After the process of drilling a well is complete, a well casing is installed. This cylindrical structure helps reinforce the well walls and contributes to protecting the well water supply from contaminants, like bacteria or sediment.
• Well Screen and Well Cap: On either end of the well casing, additional well water system components are installed to provide further protection against elements that could compromise a water supply. For example, the well cap seals the top of the well casing and helps keep insects and inquisitive animals, as well as leaves and other debris, out of the water. On the bottom of the well casing, a screen serves to keep pebbles, sand and other earth particles out of the water.
• Well Pump: Different types of well pumps may be part of a well water system, including selections such as a submersible pump, a shallow well pump, and a deep well jet pump. The function of a well pump is to move water from the underground source into your home’s pressure tank or storage tank. Each type of well pump moves water in its own way, as further explored in this guide to how well pumps work.
• Pressure Tank (or storage tank): In homes that rely on a well water system, the water tank provides the water supply for your home. If a pressure tank is present, the related pressure switch monitors when the water in this tank has been depleted from household use, reaching the minimum preset level, and needs to be refilled. When it is triggered by the pressure switch, the well pump is re-engaged to bring more water from the well into the home to restore the preset capacity of the pressure tank. For some home well water systems, a storage tank may be used as an alternative to a pressure tank and is typically a larger water repository, which is helpful in circumstances where the pump needs more time to fill the well or extremely dry conditions are frequent. In this set-up, a booster pump may also be needed to move water into the home.
• Water Filtration or Treatment Units: Before the water enters the home from the water tank, additional features may be integrated into the well water system to further enhance water quality, such as filtration and conditioning solutions. Whole house filtration systems are a popular point-of-entry choice, as they improve the water supply used throughout the home, as opposed to only one specific site. Additionally, water softeners, reverse osmosis installations, EVS filters and other related products further support the purity and quality of the water needed in your household.

3 Tips for Keeping a Well Water System Working Effectively

With an awareness of how a well water system works, it may be more understandable as to why problems like low water pressure or no water may occur. In addition to over 15 different ways in which each person’s water intake supports their well-being as highlighted by Healthline, many other necessities of each day require water accessibility and safety. Consequently, here are 3 tips to help you support the efficiency of your well water system:

1. Schedule annual well water system evaluations. Professional inspections by the well experts near you offer many benefits, such as executing repairs before more serious problems or significant system damage occurs. This assessment is also the ideal time to address any concerns about flow or to ensure the continued safety of your water supply with testing, such as PFAS Testing.
2. Monitor your well system. In addition to expert well water system examinations by water specialists such as the Aqua Pump Company, homeowners should also monitor their well systems. Helpful ways to do so include keeping records of well services, routinely listening to and looking at your water and well system components including indoor pipes, and acting quickly to address any concerns.
3. Maintain your well location. Each season comes with its own unique contributions to or concerns for homes and yards. In the spring and summer, well locations can easily become overgrown or have leaves and other debris accumulate. In the winter, heavy snowfall can completely cover well caps or plows and snow blowers can accidentally damage wells that are not clearly marked. As a result, so be sure to clear this area regularly to support well health and facilitate ease of access throughout the year in the event that emergency well service is needed.

For over 50 years, the Aqua Pump Company has provided well and water services in various communities throughout both Connecticut and Massachusetts. As a family-owned company, we prioritize not only delivering quality services and products but also developing lasting relationships with our customers and helping ensure their consistent access to safe, quality water. For emergency well water system service or to schedule any other water or well work, contact us today.