Home » What is Good Water Pressure for a Well? Best Settings Discussed

What is Good Water Pressure for a Well? Best Settings Discussed

Updated on May 6, 2020

When it comes to discussing water pressure for a well, the general perception is that the more pressure, the better it is. However, most private well owners keep water pressure between 40-60 PSI. It works optimally for a medium to large size home.maintenance of water pressure

In this article, we will discuss what good water pressure for a well is. In other words, what is an optimum water pressure which can help you do all your work efficiently without facing any pressure problem and wasting a lot of water?

First of all, you need to assess what pressure of water you need? By considering the following factors, you can reach to a conclusion.

Factors that Dominate Pressure Settings

The distance of your house from the well – If your house is not located in close proximity of the water well, you will need high water pressure setting so water can reach your place. For homes located very near to wells, lower pressure can work as well.

The number of maximum faucets running simultaneously – The number of faucets running simultaneously matter a lot when it comes to deciding the pressure of water. If you have a large family, you would need high pressure to satisfy the needs of every family member during the peak time.

Numbers of stories in your house – Multistory homes need high pressure. When your water system has to pump water against gravity, it needs more pressure to do it effectively. High rise buildings use booster pumps to increase water pressure.

The number of appliances that need high pressure – The number of appliances in your home also impact the required pressure. Moreover, water treatment systems also require a constant pressure to function effectively. Low pressure can result in poor functioning of these machines.

The capacity of your pressure tank and pump – Another factor that comes into play while deciding what is a good pressure for your well is the capacity of your pressure tank and pump. Some pumps cannot handle high-pressure settings, and hence they would stop working after a short time. If you are installing a new pump or drilling a new well, make sure you install a high-quality, durable, and versatile pump that can handle different pressure settings.

Different Pressure Settings

Ideal well water pressure

Most of the residential wells work with three different pressure settings. Typical pressure settings on a standard pressure system are 20/40, 30/50, or 40/60 PSI, 20/40 being the lowest and 40/60 being the highest. You can easily switch between the pressure settings by adjusting the pressure switch.

What’s a Good Pressure?

Different factors come into play when you are deciding the best pressure for your well water. Let’s look at some different scenarios and what pressure is good for them.

  • You have a small home with a small family of 2-3 people, and your well is located close to residential unit and you only have a couple of water appliances. You can keep the pressure settings at 20/40 PSI or 30/50 PSI. You have a small home with 2-3 people, but the well is located far away, high pressure would be best for you. Similarly, if you have more individuals living in your home, set the pressure to 40/60 PSI.
  • You have a large home with 2-3 people living inside it, and it is located near to the well, low pressure would do the trick. You have a large home with 6-8 or more inhabitants; don’t think about keeping the pressure below 40/60 PSI. You may need a pressure booster or a constant pressure system for large homes located far away from the well.
  • Check your well water pressure tank and ensure that the air pressure is 2-3 PSI below the low pressure on pressure switch. For example, if pressure switch is set to 40/60 PSI, the pressure tank must have 38 PSI air pressure.

Water wells and Irrigation

Some people living in the countryside also use wells to irrigate their fields. The relationship between a water well and irrigation is a complex one, and it requires a lot of calculations to determine the pressure you need from your well. Anything above 20 gallons per minute would be good for small agricultural field. For commercial purposes, you would need powerful devices.

FAQ

How to increase water pressure from a well?

There are many ways to increase well water pressure. You can start by adjusting the pressure switch on the pressure tank and servicing the pressure tank. Sometimes the pressure gets low due to clogged plumbing, showerheads, and aerators; clean them to ensure there is no blockage between the well and point of use. Get your well inspected for any damages to well casing and sediment buildup at well screen. For more stringent measures, you can go for a pressure booster pump, a constant pressure valve, or a constant pressure system. For more details on this, click here.

My well is too far away from the living area. What can I do to increase the water pressure?

You can adjust the pressure settings on your pressure tank or install a pressure booster pump to increase the water pressure.

Final Word: Be intelligent and adjust the right pressure

Most of the private well owners keep the pressure at 40/60 PSI. While it may be best suited to meet all your needs, it can also lead to a lot of water wastage while cleaning dishes, washing eatables, gardening, or doing any other water-related tasks. To generate more pressure, your pressure pump will have to work more, and it also consumes more power compared to a pump working at a low-pressure setting. There are also high chances of malfunctioning when the pump operates at high pressure. So, if you can manage at medium or low pressure, we suggest you adopt that setting as it is beneficial for your own sake.

Author

  • Earl Rojo

    Earl Rojo has been a senior mechanic in well drilling and maintenance firms for 3 years. He is from Longview, Texas, and he loves sharing his experience with others. He frequently writes on various well water issues with a special focus on well maintenance and drinking water quality.

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