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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I have recently bought some land in Canada with a well already drilled on it.
The well is 99ft deep has 6" casing to 20ft and a water level at 12ft.
The flow rate is 6gpm.
I want to install a pitless adapter and pump myself.
I would like to have a pressure tank and switch at a later date (when I have built a house to put it in) but be able to turn the pump on and off manually during the build.
What pump and fittings would you recommend?
thanks
Al
 

· Water quality'n pump guy
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358 Posts
Pumps come in two parts, the wet end (gpm) and the motor (hp).

A pump has to be sized to be able to produce the peak demand gpm of the house at the highest elevation in the house, at the pressure you desire; usually 30/50, from the deepest level that the water in the well will fall to when you are using your peak demand or after long periods of water use. Then you find the horses to get the job done.

You need a pressure switch and pressure tank to be able to turn the pump on and then be able to shut off the water use without shutting off the pump. To do otherwise is not good for the pipe from the pump to the outlet of the water being used. Submersible pumps can build a lot of pressure and damage plumbing.
 

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Thanks for your reply Gary,
to further clarify matters
I am looking to build a 1 1/2 Bath, 3 Bedroom 1 1/2 storey house with daylight basement. I would go for a 40/60 switch system. The house will be around 30 ft from the well and water will need to be lifted around 30ft above the well's static level. If I set the pump at 80 ft deep I am reckoning that the pump will need to deliver a pressure of around 250 ft head minimum.
An internet search tells me that peak demand for a normal 1 1/2 bathroom house will be around 10gpm. As this exceeds the recovery rate of my well I would like to use a large pressure tank to meet this potential peak demand. The well has around 90gallons if the pump is set at 80ft.
I am thinking I would like to go with either a 5 or 7 gpm 1/2 hp pump and as large a tank as I can afford at the time.
Can you advise as to the pros and cons of these pumps. 110 or 230? What brand?
Thanks again,
Al
 

· Master General ReEngineer
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10,565 Posts
Can you advise as to the pros and cons of these pumps. 110 or 230? What brand?
Ayuh,... The Higher the Voltage, the more efficient the appliance...

A 220v 2 wire pump is My choice,... I had a 3 wire,+ spent most of my time replacing the relays, 'n what-nots...
 

· Water quality'n pump guy
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Alasdair, the higher operating pressure, the more water you use and waste is greater. I suggest 30/50, it is the norm.

Your 99' - 10 to set the pump at 10' off the bottom = 89'-12' static level =77' of water and a 6" well gives you 1.47 gal/ft = 113 gallons of water with ha 6 gpm recovery rate. I would size the pump to pump from a water level of 90' and give you more than 10 gpm.

I sell water treatment equipment and it all has to be sized for the peak demand of the house as to how the family uses water in the number of bathrooms AND the type of fixtures in them. I sell for houses that have a 20 gpm shower alone! Large tubs can flow at 9-12 gpm, alone. So I do not agree with 10 gpm peak unless you do not have any large tubs or two person or body spray showers and won't in the future. My equipment records the highest gpm run through it each of the last 7 days and then, the highest gpm ever run through it; I've not been told I have been wrong on their peak demand yet, out of 1200 sales of that control valve.

Without looking it up, I'd suggest a 230 vac 15 gpm 1/2 hp submersible set at 89' on 160 psi rated 1" PE pipe and a dovetail type pitless adapter and the same PE pipe to the pressure tank.

You do not need a large tank, and thinking about it, you can't use a large tank to make up for a low producing well. Every drop pf water used is then taken from the well all at once to refill the tank. And at 40/60 your draw down of the tank happens quicker so the pump runs more frequently and often. What 'extra' water do you get from the well?

I suggest a small tank and a CSV (Cycle Stop Valve) which provides constant pressure and doesn't refill the tank until you stop using water.

Do not buy a pump or tank from a big box store, they are low quality, a pump guy will have much better quality.

Although I don't know if they ship to Canada,
try www.pumpsand tanks.com and tell them I sent you.
 

· Idiot Emeritus
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Ditto what Gary stated above.

If you install the 30/50 pressure switch, and find the pressure too low at the house, it can be turned up easily. If you turn it up, remember to adjust the pre-charge in the pressure tank accordingly.

The 230 volt pumps are much easier on pressure switches and control boxes than the 115 volt. Also, a 230 volt pump can go a much greater distance with smaller wire.

Rob
 
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