shallow well problem

Mr. Love--After replacing all the componts for our shallow well we have a problem with air in the system. We did call a plumber for help and was told that because of laws passed 15 years ago no plumber can work on a shallow well with a sand point and keep their liscense!!! This is in the state of Minnesota. There is a 3 foot point, 4 , 4 foot lengths of pipe, one 18 inch pipe and we are about 20 feet down. Everything is new.motor ,tank,fittings etc. We are baffled. Everything has been taken apart and put together again and still it will not draw. ANY help would be appreciated. we do have 4 feet of water in the pipe.

Do you have a check valve on the suction (well) side of the pump to hold prime when the pump shuts off?
How did you you prime the pump?
Mike

yes there is a check valve that wouldn't even open up to register. we primed the pump through the primer plug. Should the check valve be closer to the point. It is 18 inches from the pump now. Thank you for your input.

Where's the pump located? Any more than 15' above the water table makes it physically impossible to pump, and in the real world, usually a lot less than that. Maybe your water table has dropped and the pump is turning the liquid water into vapor.

Did this work with the old equipment? What was the brand name of the old pump and the new pump?

Is this an existing shallow well or did you just put it in?

bob...

location of pump

Southern Man said:

Where's the pump located? Any more than 15' above the water table makes it physically impossible to pump, and in the real world, usually a lot less than that. Maybe your water table has dropped and the pump is turning the liquid water into vapor.

Click to expand...

the pump is just a couple of feet above the well. It is located in the basement so space is limited. there was water up in the pipes when we put all the connections on and figured it was good to go. water table is good.

shallow well

this well has been there for over 40 years..25 years ago we pulled the old point and drove a new one. about a month ago we put a new point in next to the old one. everything is new now. the pump is the same brand as the old one. we connected it all according to the specs. the well wouldn't draw anymore is why we went all new. Maybe we had a different problem and didn't need "new".

Telling me the Pump is the same as the old one doesn't really tell me a lot. Now you tell us this is a new well. You also eluded to the fact that the water level is 16 feet plus the height of the Pump (I think) If you really want help, you have to be more specific and tell us everything.

bob...