What To Do If Your Well Runs Dry

Water is finite, so it goes to reason that if your well water isn’t replenished naturally, it will eventually dry up. This could be caused by droughts or just the natural aging of a well. Either way, a dry well can feel catastrophic, especially if you rely on it for clean drinking water and bathing. But, before you think the worst, you should understand the signs of a dry well and some options you can take to help return water to your home.

If you’re experiencing well water or pump issues, schedule an appointment with North Florida Water Systems Inc today!

Signs Of A Dry Well

There are a few signs to look for if you believe that a drought or other environmental conditions are causing your well to run dry. For example, the tap water may become murky or muddy in appearance, or you may notice a change in flavor. Since either of these issues can also be caused by contamination, it’s important to regularly schedule water testing and treatment to rule out this possibility.

Another sign of a dry well is a sputtering spigot or tap. This sputtering can be caused by issues with the plumbing system and imply that excess air is coming through from the well instead of water. Check additional taps and faucets to see if this is a localized or general problem.

Checking A Well’s Depth

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, check the depth of your well to identify issues with the well. If you don’t have access to the right measurement tools, a simple way to measure a well’s depth is with an ice cube. A stopwatch and calculator can also be helpful, but keeping mental notes should suffice. Simply remove the cap to the well and drop an ice cube down. Keep time for how long it is until you hear a splash at the bottom. Then, use the equation below to determine the approximate well depth.

16 x (seconds it took for the cube to hit water) x (seconds it took for the cube to hit water) = depth of water (approximately)

So, for example, if it took 4 seconds for the ice cube to hit the water, you would finish the equation as so: 16x4x4=256. The longer the distance, the more likely it is that your well may be drying up.

What To Do For A Dry Well

Just because you’re having symptoms of a dry well, doesn’t necessarily mean that the well is dry. In fact, it could be a matter of the well pump placement, or you may require well pump repairs. Depending on the age of your well, you may also require some well maintenance. The lifespan of most wells is 20–30 years. During this time, sediment and scale can build up, limiting access to water. Hydrofracking utilizes high-pressure water to open fractures in the well, breathing new life (and more water) into the well system. If all else fails, new well drilling may be necessary.

If you’re having any trouble with your water well, reach out to an experienced water well company that can save you time and money by providing the best solutions for your needs.