Wells and pumps that bring water to the surface are exciting, high-return investments that do a lot for your energy use, your utility bills, and your health. However, due to the incredible diversity of terrains, water tables, and types we deal with, there are many different strategies on how to get ground water into your home.
If you live in a region with a low water table, which means you are not too close to a body of water or underground source and you will have to dig quite a bit to get to the drinking water. But if you live in an area with a reasonably high water table, digging the hole may be half the battle, and the other half is properly using and deploying your water to your unique requirements.
Shallow well pumping is often done by what is called a jet pump. A jet pump is similar to a long straw that uses suction to draw water from these relatively short heights. Jet pumps generally decrease in effectiveness after 25 feet, at which point you would have to dig a deeper well and start a more effective pumping system to carry the water higher.
The next step for deep wells is what is called a double jet pump. A twin jet pump is not that different from a jet pump, except that it uses two suction points to create two pressurized vacuums to lift the water higher, usually at a faster rate. The second jet would usually be placed at the bottom of the water to create two separate voids to process the water.
Any pump in the water itself is called a submersible pump, and it works a little harder pushing the water up from the bottom, but means less force than a pump that would lift the water up from the bottom. As anyone who moves a piano knows, it’s always easier to pick it up from below rather than hang on it in hopes of supporting the weight.
Every well and pump has a location and location, but it’s best to let a well and pump professional inspect your property and make recommendations on the best way to get the water out of the ground. Knowing how and where to pump makes the whole situation easier, cheaper and more energy efficient.