I am doing a project where I have to replace a small city's existing well system with a central plumbing system. I need to know the disadvantages to having a pump as opposed to city plumbing. ANY kind of answer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
2006-12-02 20:25:15 · 3 answers · asked by jonbauer99 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Even in the smallest residential application(one well, one house) the house does not run o the well pump. A pressure tank is installed at the beginning of the water piping in the house. This tank holds about 44 gallons of water under about 40-60 psi. Household water is used from this tank. The well pump only comes on to replenish this tank whe system pressure drops below 30 psi. This way, the very expensive well pump is preserved. It would wear out quickly if it had to come on every time someone flushed a toilet. Large municipal systems work the same way. Water is pumped from a large well, reservoir, river etc to generally and elevated holding tank (most towns have them) The elevation of the holding tank is what creates the system pressure. Once the water is pumped into the tank, all that weight (8 pounds per gallon) is just sitting there trying to force itself into the water system, thus is what maintains system pressure in municipal systems. When the water level in the tank gets to a certain point, the pumps will replenish. Engineers perform calculations to determine all of this like how high the elevated tank is, how many gallons, at what point should pump come on to replenish to keep up with projected demand. So really there is no fundemental difference between the two. A house is just a scaled down version of a large municipal system. The only disadvantage I see to being on city water rather than well is security. If someone were in my yard dumping stuff into my well I'd know it. Sadly, most municipal sources are not well protected. Hope this helps
2006-12-03 00:58:20 · answer #1 · answered by questionable reality 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a homeowner who has a well water system, I can tell you the disadvantages of it. and it has only one advantage, you don't have to pay a water bill, but I would gladly take that over the system I have..
I live in WV, and most all the well water here is iron water, thus you have to have an elaborate filter system to clean the iron and the rotten egg smell from the water., (which never completely eliminates the smell. ) but these systems usually only last about 8-10 yrs because of the iron buildup in the wells, and then you start having failure of the filters, or some of the other equipment, and you are always replacing something which is bvery expensive.. and the water is never as good to make Coffe or cook some foods in, it turns beans black, and the coffee taste bad..
I would take city water anytime if it were available to me..
2006-12-02 22:00:16 · answer #2 · answered by Lorene 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ground water is supposed to go in the well. It is a problem if surface water enters it. Check the grading around the well to make sure surface water flows away from the well and not towards it.
2016-03-13 01:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋