TVL
Member
I have a question for the pump and well experts:
I replaced our submersible pump back in October 1995 ............. it is used for our sprinkler system and nothing else. It is a 1 HP 3 wire 230 VAC submersible pump. It is a 10 stage pump rated at 11.9 GPM at a depth of 150 feet (our pump is actually hanging 145 feet from the surface).
For the past few years I have been recording the pressure readings for each of our 16 zones. The 16 zones have a range from 9.5 GPM to 10.5 GPM. I have two pressure gauges and both read within 1 PSI of eqch other. Last summer I noticed the pressure reading for each zone had dropped 4 to 5 PSI from previous years. This year at startup, I'm noticing the same thing. I purposely tried to design the system so that each zone would read anywhere between 42 and 48 PSI when running ............... and had accomplished that task. Now the pressures are reading anywhere from 37 to 43 PSI ................. a 5 PSI drop from previous years.
Does this mean the pump is beginning to wear out and become "weak"? Yes, I realize 17 years of service is extremely good, but I don't want to replace a pump for no reason. The well is in a sand stream and I do now I pump a very, very small amount of sand because I find it in the filter periodically. Is this weraing the impellers OR is there something else I should be more concerned with. If the well was being overpumped because "everyone and their brother" seems to be putting in sprinkler systems in our area, wouldn't I notice some "spitting and sputtering" occurring at the sprinkler heads? Everything seems to run quietly with no indication of well failure. I'm just not sure a pump would exhibit signs of wear as our has if it is failing .............. and that is where I need your input!
Thanks so very much!
I replaced our submersible pump back in October 1995 ............. it is used for our sprinkler system and nothing else. It is a 1 HP 3 wire 230 VAC submersible pump. It is a 10 stage pump rated at 11.9 GPM at a depth of 150 feet (our pump is actually hanging 145 feet from the surface).
For the past few years I have been recording the pressure readings for each of our 16 zones. The 16 zones have a range from 9.5 GPM to 10.5 GPM. I have two pressure gauges and both read within 1 PSI of eqch other. Last summer I noticed the pressure reading for each zone had dropped 4 to 5 PSI from previous years. This year at startup, I'm noticing the same thing. I purposely tried to design the system so that each zone would read anywhere between 42 and 48 PSI when running ............... and had accomplished that task. Now the pressures are reading anywhere from 37 to 43 PSI ................. a 5 PSI drop from previous years.
Does this mean the pump is beginning to wear out and become "weak"? Yes, I realize 17 years of service is extremely good, but I don't want to replace a pump for no reason. The well is in a sand stream and I do now I pump a very, very small amount of sand because I find it in the filter periodically. Is this weraing the impellers OR is there something else I should be more concerned with. If the well was being overpumped because "everyone and their brother" seems to be putting in sprinkler systems in our area, wouldn't I notice some "spitting and sputtering" occurring at the sprinkler heads? Everything seems to run quietly with no indication of well failure. I'm just not sure a pump would exhibit signs of wear as our has if it is failing .............. and that is where I need your input!
Thanks so very much!