Part of the allure of living in Arizona is its wide-open space. Removed from the frenetic pace of city life, the high desert regions of the Copper State can offer staggering scenic vistas. But every high often comes with a low and high desert life can sometimes present its own challenge—low water well pressure.
Residents of Arizona’s more rural areas do not always have convenient access to a city water supply. One of the solutions is to install a well on your own property. Now you can enjoy a fresh, clean, and consistent water supply. But what happens if you find yourself faced with an issue like low water well pressure?
While there are a few things you can do as a well owner to maintain and prolong the life of your well system, at A-1 Arthur’s Well Service, we have over seventy-five years of knowledge and experience installing and servicing water wells. If you live in the Kingman, Lake Havasu City, or Bullhead City areas, we’ll get the “low down” on your low water pressure issues and get you back to living the high life.
What is Water Pressure?
Simply put, water pressure is the strength of water flow through piping and subsequently, your tap. Two basic means can be used to induce that pressure—either gravity or a pump. In the case of a well, water must be drawn up. The pressure required for the water to flow must be supplied by a pump. The strength of the water’s flow is dependent on the amount of pressure applied. Pressure is measured in units called PSI, or pounds per square inch. Most well water systems will include a gauge in proximity to the pressure pump for monitoring. Appliances in today’s homes generally require somewhere between 30-60 PSI. Monitoring your system’s PSI can help you ferret out potential issues.
What does a basic water well system include?
There are a wide variety of components that can comprise a residential water well system. There is also a wide variance in system output. However, a basic system consists of five major components including:
a bored well;
a submersible pump and motor installed at the bottom of the well;
a string of pipe to bring the water up;
wire to carry the electricity down to the pump; and
a pressure tank.
The well pressure tank is a sizeable tank containing compressed air and water. Installed at the surface, it provides immediate access to water from the well without use of the pump. This can extend the lifespan of your pump, reducing the frequency the pump is required to cycle on and off.
Ways to Help Prevent Low Water Well Pressure and Other Issues
If the well pressure tank is the stomach of your well system, the liquid level is the brain. When the stomach is full, the brain’s hypothalamus registers satiety. Likewise, the liquid level float-type switch inside the tank signals to the pump to stop when the pressure tank has reached its capacity. But sometimes issues arise. At A-1 Arthur’s Well Service, our courteous and knowledgeable staff are happy to offer pump service, but there are some simple maintenance steps you as a well owner can take to help prevent low water well pressure.
Keep a logbook.
Keeping a clear record of data and maintenance records on your well system can help you or a professional troubleshoot issues more quickly if and when they arise.
Regularly check your water level.
While it can be tricky to get an accurate result on your system’s water level as a well owner, there are specialized toolkits to help ensure you get a correct reading. Better yet, contact our helpful professionals to do it for you! Keeping tabs on your system’s water level gives you the big picture on your water consumption.
Regularly check your water quality.
For the health and safety of your family and loved ones, checking your water quality is important— particularly if it is located near potential contaminants like septic systems or livestock areas. Occasionally submit samples for lab testing. You can purchase a field test kit from us. If you are not sure where to send your sample, give us a call. Testing should be a regular part of well system care.
Avoid use or storage of hazardous chemicals and waste in or near your water system.
When installing a new well system, ensure your well is located an adequate distance from any potentially hazardous chemicals. If your well is already installed, avoid using or storing any waste or chemicals near your well. Failure to do so can result in contamination of the water supply and potentially permanent damage.
Schedule annual inspections.
This is probably one of the best ways to ensure you continue to enjoy a fresh, clean, and consistent water supply from your well. It can also minimize the impact of any necessary repair costs if problems are caught and addressed early. Learn more about well inspections in our next blog article.
So, that’s the low down on low water pressure. Don’t let low water pressure bring you down on high desert living. At A-1 Arthur’s Well Service, we’re ready to help with all your well water system installation, maintenance, and service needs. We offer services to the entire Kingman, Lake Havasu, and Bullhead City area. If you have any further questions, please check out the FAQs on our website, or contact our helpful staff for assistance.
