If you use a well to supply water to your house, you might be wondering, how long does it take your water well to refill? In general, you should expect your well to replenish at a rate of 5 gallons per minute, but there are a number of factors that will play a role in how quickly it refills.
For reference, if your well is 1200 gallons, it should take approximately 4 hours to refill. There are lots of factors that can influence how quickly your well refills, such as the quality of the soil, the rate of rainfall in your area, and the overall condition of your well.
The Signs Your Well Water Supply Is Running Dry
How many gallons per minute does a well refill? It tends to refill at 5 gallons per minute, but there could be a few signs that indicate your reliable water supply is starting to run out. Some of the most common signs include:
1. Your Submersible Pump Is Running Longer
Another common sign that could indicate that your well water is running out is that your pump is running for a longer period of time. You might also notice that your pump is switching on and off frequently, or that your pump is working overtime in an effort to draw water out of your well.
2. You Have Muddy or Murky Water
You are used to your water looking crystal-clear when it comes out of the faucet, but if the water looks a bit muddy or murky, it could be a sign that your well is drying out. As you get closer to the bottom of your well, it is going to have more dirt, mud, and sediment in it, which means that it might look a bit dirty when it comes out of your faucet as well.
3. The Water Tastes a Bit Off
You may also feel like the water tastes a bit off. As your pump has to draw water from deeper into your well, the extra minerals and sediments could also impact the taste. Keep in mind that you may be able to fix the taste of your water by investing in a water filter that can remove some of the sediment for you.
4. The Smell Is Funky
Just as the taste of your water might be a bit off, the smell of your water might be a bit off. The sediment, minerals, and extra substances at the bottom of your well can influence the way the water smells.
5. The Faucet Has Air Coming Out
If you notice that the faucet is spitting or sputtering, it could be a sign that the water level has dropped. The pump intake is reduced, your plumbing system is drawing air into it, and this causes your faucets to spit and sputter.
These are a few of the most common signs that could indicate your well water is starting to run out. Fortunately, your well should replenish over time, but there are a number of factors that will influence how quickly it does so.
Factors That Influence How Quickly Your Well and Pressure Tank Refill
Even though your well should replenish itself over time, how quickly will it do so? Some of the factors that will play a role include:
1. How Deep Your Well Is
If you had a well drilled in your backyard, how deep is it? Most wells are dug at a depth between 100 ft and 500 ft, but the depth of your well will vary depending on how deep below the surface that same aquifer is located. In general, the deeper your well is, the more space it has to fill, so it will take a longer amount of time to refill completely. The larger the hole is, the longer it takes to refill. Shallow wells have a shorter refill time than deeper wells when it comes to your water system.
2. The Design of Your Well
The design of your well is also going to influence how quickly it will refill. Your well should have a protective barrier around it that will guard against organic matter, minerals, and sediment. Typically, the casing is made from heavy-duty PVC, but stainless steel can also be used.
If the exterior of this casing begins to deteriorate, water will leak from your well, meaning that it makes it harder for your well to refill completely. While your well casing should last for decades, you may need to get it inspected from time to time.
3. The Submersible Pump Is Broken
You depend on a submersible pump to draw water out of the well, so if the pump is broken, you will have a difficult time getting water into your home. The pump uses power to push water through the system, and if the pump breaks, it may seem like the well has run out of water. In reality, you are simply having a difficult time getting the water to your house. Therefore, this does not necessarily influence the rate at which the well refills, but it may still seem like your well is out of water.
4. The Well Screen
You have a well screen located at the bottom of your well, and the screen is present to allow water to get in, but prevent sediment from entering your well. If the screen is damaged, dirt will start to enter the well, and the well could start to clog. Your well has less space for water because of all of the dirt present, meaning that your well might not hold as much water. Even though your well will continue to refill at the same rate, it will also run out of water more quickly.
5. The Geology of the Area
Finally, the geology of the area will also have an impact on how quickly your well water can refill. For example, the size and location of your underground aquifer could make it easier or harder for your well to refill with water. In addition, the amount of sediment that occurs naturally in your aquifer or water table could also have an influence on the well’s ability to refill.
Keep in mind that the amount of rainfall in your area can also have an influence on the ability of your well to refill. The more rain you have, the easier it will be for your well to refill.
How To Protect Your Well Water
Clearly, there are a lot of factors that will influence the rate at which your well water will refill. Water is a valuable resource, and you must make sure that you protect it accordingly. How can you do so?
Be Responsible
If you want to protect your water supply, you must make sure you use it responsibly. While it might seem like your well provides you with an endless supply of water, that is not the case. Every gallon is important, so make sure you turn off the faucet when you are not using water.
One way to measure how much water you are using is with the DROP Pump Controller. You can see how much water you are using, set limits on water use, and view charts of your historical use.
In addition, if you have a large outdoor water task you need to complete, consider putting out a bin to collect some rainwater. Then, you can use that water to take care of your lawn or fill your pool.
Check out our list of additional ways you can conserve water.
Inspect Your Well Regularly
You should also make sure that you inspect your well regularly. That way, if there is a problem, you can address it as quickly as possible. For example, if the casing is leaking, you should get it fixed before you start to lose too much water. Or, if there is a problem with the screen or cap, you need to get it fixed quickly.
Keep in mind that you might also need to inspect and replace your submersible pump from time to time. You may even want to invest in a pump controller that can help you make sure that the well and pump are used appropriately.
At DROP, we have one of the top pump controllers on the market which provides you with an unprecedented level of control over your well water. We would love to help you protect your water supply, and that includes your well.
As long as you take care of your well appropriately, it should provide you with plenty of water to meet your needs. Do not hesitate to reach out to an expert if you have questions about your well.
Rely on DROP for Help Managing Your Water Supply
If you have a well, you must make sure that you take care of it. We would be happy to get you set up with an exceptional pump controller. We believe that knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you have regarding your water supply, the easier it will be for you to take care of it.
We have a wide selection of products available, and a member of our team is always available to help you. Reach out to us today to speak to our team, and take control of your water.
