In two previous articles we looked at possible contamination in your well water and at finding water. 

This article will deal with how to use and maintain your well.  Most wells in the Palmer and Wasilla areas are deeper than fifty feet.  I have people tell me every year that a well shallower than fifty feet or forty feet is an illegal well, but I can’t find any regulation that confirms that assertion.  Our well in our last home in Cottonwood Shores off of Bogard Road was only 39 feet.  I tested the water in that well a couple times and found it to be excellent.

If your well is anything but a very shallow well, you will need a submersible pump. A submersible pump is in the bottom of your well and pumps the water up a pipe to your home.  The pipe should come out of the well casing at ten feet below the surface and continue to be 10 feet below the surface until it reaches your home.  When well lines freeze up it is usually because they were not buried deep enough. 

After the well pipe enters your home it goes into a pressure tank.  Pressure tanks come in many sizes as in the amtrol photo above. The pressure tank stores some water under pressure so that when you open your faucet valve, water is immediately available.  The pressure tank is adjustable and should keep the pressure between 20–50 psi. When the pressure drops below 20 pounds the water pump will switch on and refill the pressure tank.  The larger the tank, the less often the well comes on.  If you find your well pump continually running or switching on and off continually, you should check the pressure tank switch first.

After your water leaves your pressure tank, the cold water goes directly to the faucets in your home.  Other water enters your hot water heater.  The two primary methods of heating water is with a boiler or a hot water heater.  If you have hot water baseboard heat a boiler will provide the heat for your home and heat your water as well. 

Generally, these systems work well and provide reliable water for most homes in the Mat-Su Valley.  In fact, most people who are on wells for any length of time prefer their water to “city water”. My son prefers well water and complains when he has to drink water out of a city drinking fountain.  If you suspect or know that there are problems with your well or your water I recommend calling an experienced plumber or well and pump service.

If it’s after your pressure tank, call a plumber.  If it is your pressure tank or well, call a well and pump service.  In the Valley I like to call Water By The Bay, (376–2726), Valley Well and Pump, (373–2343), or Anchorage Well and Pump, (745–0740). Next time…I’ll give some horror stories from a Realtors point of view about wells.

Leave a comment for suggestions or correct me if I’m wrong…I’ll listen

Wellowner.org , Well Mainainance Tips ,Safe Drinking Water