Well troubles, the saga continues

[lizziegrace]

(cross-posted from Rural/Farm)

We lost all water pressure this morning. The pressure gauge on the tank is about 25% of normal. The first of the in-line filters had an inch of mud on the bottom. The well pump was replaced 2 months ago.

This is getting very tiresome. We have 3 people in the house and the temps are in the single digits at night. Things are tough enough with this cold spell and now no water. My landlord's been called and hopefully he'll have the well guy out today, but so far, no call.

Anyone experience this before?

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. Well, what is and is the cause of restricted flow ?

That is the question. The question is not to flow or not to flow because you do have 25 % some better then none.

Actually I am not versed in well pump systems but my guess is your land lord is fully aware of the greater problem and was in the hopes that the replacement pump would make the problem go away for as long as possible.

Although there is such a thing as a defective pump. But a logical guess is that the greater problem ,meaning the far more expensive solution to the problem is the reason the old pump phased out on ya. If it were me, I would want to take a look at the filtration system in attempt to find out the cause of restricted flow.

Water sample at the water point of entry into the filtration system. In other words, what's in the water before it reaches the point of filtration.

You mentioned the cold where the temp drops down into the single digits. So, I would want to look up the specifics with ground temperature in relation to your filtration system and your pump. Also, is yer supply line iced up?

I would imagine that could be a factor. You got hose connection outside the house that is not properly covered ?
Or any part of the supply line that is exposed to ground temperature such as where the supply line goes in to the house/unit. ? The remedy for that would require a torch.

If you really want to know what the symptoms are,look up the entire system. That should be a easy enough thing to do on your computer.

Wells and pump systems.

Give it a go, you might find it interesting. And you may find that you can solve the problem.OK, so it is far better for you if you come to understand your water supply system as a whole and how it works.Restricted flow in extreme cold more often than not is caused by ice in the supply line and as a rule at point of entry at the unit or structure.Wells are deep so you can pretty much figure there is no ice in the well .And so yer question is,if it is iced up supply line at some point,where would it be ? Since your pressure gage shows there is some pressure,that indicates the pump is working. So, it's either a defect or there is restricted flow.

Your's is a well and I am sure there are more problematic variables. It helps to be curious !

At the very least if you look up the system and understand how it works ,and what would cause it not to work ,(those variables) you will know at worst how long it may take to fix it or how little time it may take. And than there is a thing called preventive measures.

[lizziegrace]

2. The mud in the filters indicates that

either the pump is submerged too deeply, the wall is collapsing and/or it's going dry. Since the water line enters the house through the basement wall and is buried, I don't suspect freezing of the line, but anything's possible.

The house is 165 years old. No idea how old the well is.

Dad's an engineer. I was born with the curiosity gene. It's just that a house with 3 people and no water makes me very anxious, especially with the holidays a little over a week away. I have too much to do and am not relishing the possibility that we may be without running water for several days as we were when the pump failed and was replaced.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. What did you do about the mud in the filters ?

and if you changed or cleaned those filters out, did the water pressure increase ,out of curiosity, ?

And I know what you mean about the gene.

So, it may simply be the pump needs realignment.

In that thought I wish you the best

And good luck.

By the way, let us know how it turns out.