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How Long To Run A Hose On Well Water?

Updated on September 5, 2022

There is no exact answer to this question. It depends on factors like your well size (depth), the rate at which water is being pumped (your water well’s flow rate), and the pressure of the water in the system.

As a general rule and what we gather from most homeowners using private wells is that you can run your hose for 30 minutes to 2 hours without damaging anything in your well system. This assumes that the well is pumping water at 2 gallons per minute, and the pressure is around 50 PSI.

Moreover, the pressure tank size that holds water also impacts how long you can run a hose on your well water. The pressure tank turns on the well pump to start pumping water when the water level goes beyond a certain point. The pump goes off once the water level is back to normal.

If you run a hose on your well continuously, the pump will keep working unless the water in the tank is back to normal levels. However, this won’t happen anytime soon because water is being withdrawn at a faster rate than it is pumped. This can overburden your well pump, and it may heat up or malfunction.

Some well pumps have a maximum running time. The latest models turn off automatically after they run continuously for a pre-set time. Most well pumps have a limit to run less than two hours and restart working after a rest (cooling-off) of 30 minutes.

Hence, this discussion is enough to conclude that the answer to the question of how long you can run a hose on well water depends on various factors. The best way to find a safe time is to ask your well contractor. The contractor knows everything about your well, and they can guide you best by calculating the above-mentioned factors.

How many gallons per minute can my well deliver?

There is no definite answer to this question. It depends on well depth, well diameter, type of well pump, and water level in your well.

Can I fill a swimming pool with well water?

Yes. You can fill a swimming pool with well water, but it may take a lot of time depending on pool size, well depth, pumping rate, and how long you can continuously draw water from the well. Most homeowners with private wells and swimming pools recommend using water tankers to fill swimming pools. Drawing a large volume of water from the well can harm the well, pressure tank and may leave your well dry temporarily.

How long will it take to fill a swimming pool with well water?

Suppose you have a 14 feet above-ground pool with 4000-5000 gallons of water; it would take days with an hour off and an hour on routine. It can even take weeks if you don’t do this hourly exercise round the clock.

It is better to take water from local companies. It is quick, water is filtered, and they do all the labor-intensive work.

How to fill the swimming pool well without creating any issues?

Start filling the pool and keep an eye on the water flow. Avoid using water anywhere else in your home to get the maximum flow rate. A drop in flow rate indicates that the well is running dry or your pump is not keeping up with the withdrawal rate. Allow the well to catch up when the flow rate decreases.

This may take up to days depending on how big your pool is and how fast your well replenishes water. The depth at which the pump sits also affects how much water it can pump.

How long can I run a well pump?

Many well manufacturers mention pumping time of 6-8 hours. This is correct, but you cannot run it continuously. Most household well pumps can run for 2 hours continuously. Some high-end models may do a 3-hour haul. The pumps start to heat after this time and may go bad if not stopped.

Can you dry a well by running a hose or filling a pool?

Yes. You can dry your well while running a hose or filling a pool with it. When you draw water faster than the replenishing rate, it leads to a dry well. When the water level falls below the pump in your well, the pump starts heating and can malfunction quickly.

Can over-pumping contaminate well water?

Over pumping increases the water withdrawal rate and pulls more sediment along the water. The extra sediment can affect water aesthetics, making it cloudy, gray orange, or brown. This extra sediment can also clog the arteries from where your well takes to water, the well screen, and causes problems for the well pump in your home’s plumbing system.

Should I Bypass the filtration systems before running a hose on well water?

Ideally, yes. Before running a hose on your well water, you should bypass all the filtration systems. Some people prefer water from a softener for washing their cars and driveways because well water is often hard and can cause aesthetic problems due to minerals. However, if you are filling a pool with well water, it is advisable to bypass the filtration systems.

How can I connect a hose to my water well?

  • Locate the well pump and turn it off. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes.
  • Find a water outlet and connect an adapter to it.
  • Connect a water hose and turn the pump on.

What mistakes to avoid when running a hose on well water?

  • Not checking the connections are properly sealed.
  • Not testing for leaks in the water hose after connecting it to the well pump.
  • Not inspecting your hose to avoid contamination if water runs backward.

Can I run a water hose on my pump overnight?

Technically you can, but you shouldn’t. Your well can go dry, and the pump can overheat. You’ll have a lot of problems to deal with in the morning. So, it is better to avoid taking such risks.

How long it takes a water well to refill?

It depends on factors such as underground water level, aquifer formation, well depth, and water demand. A standard and healthy well refills at 4-6 gallons per minute.

Author

  • Roy Jones

    Roy lives in Anderson, Texas, and has been a part of various certified well drilling firms. He has extensive 20 years of working experience in water wells maintenance, repair, and drinking quality. Roy has been guiding neighbors on well issues and writes to educate private well owners about various well water issues.

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