One fundamental measure of a private well’s performance is its water yield. Here at Greco and Haines, we offer expert well water yield testing services in Derby, Woodbridge, Orange, and all over Connecticut.
Whether it’s part of a new install or a system check-up on an existing well, we’ve got you covered when it comes to calculating water yield and, if necessary, exploring options for improving your water flow!
What is Water Flow Testing?
Water yield testing indicates how much a well can sustainably output during peak demand. It can also be referred to as water flow testing, water drawdown testing, specific capacity testing, or well recovery testing. To determine how adequately a well will supply water in demanding periods such as prolonged droughts or peak water usage, it’s important to establish its maximum safe yield. This describes the rate at which water is pumped from the well without dropping the static water level..
The Basics of Water Yield Testing
One standard way to gauge a well’s yield is to compare the pumping rate against the rate at which water drops during pumping — the pace of drawdown, in other words. Mathematically speaking, this kind of yield test produces a calculation of gallons per minute per foot of drawdown.
The test requires continuous operation of the well pump for an extended period. Typically, this will take at least one or two hours depending on specifics such as local regulations and can take as many as 24 hours. The well output in gallons per minute and the drawdown are assessed regularly throughout to determine average rates and produce the most accurate yield.
During these tests, it’s essential to direct the pumped-out water away from the well to avoid “artificial recharge.” This is when outflow returns to the well and throws off calculations of drawdown.
Another measure that can suggest a well’s yield is the recovery rate: how quickly the water level in the well replenishes following a sustained period of continuous pumping. Such a calculation occurs right after a flow rate test where the water level is checked immediately after and then again at a set interval of elapsed time.
A good well yield depends on a variety of specific factors, including the local area and the household water demand. Generally speaking, a flow rate of four or five gallons per minute should suffice for your average domestic private well user.
Besides dry spells impacting aquifer recharge, well yield may decline due to increased demand from other well users in your region drawing from the same groundwater source. Failing well pumps and clogged wells, however, can also diminish yield.
When Should I Have Water Yield Testing Done?
Well yield test procedures should be undertaken as part of the installation of a brand-new well. In Connecticut, yield tests on new wells should be performed over a minimum of four hours. The yield is generally recorded in the well completion report.
When buying a home with a private well, it’s a good idea to calculate the yield. If you’re noticing a change in household water pressure meanwhile, water flow testing may be warranted, too.
How Can I Improve My Well Water Flow?
If your well water yield is insufficient for your needs, you often have options for improvement. Digging a deeper well is one; sometimes, widening the borehole can achieve the desired effect. Such modifications may require an upgrade to a more powerful pump to compensate.
In other cases, it may not be feasible to boost the yield from a well directly. However, you may be able to satisfy your water needs despite the limitation by using more storage tanks, altering household water use to lower demand at any one time, or purchasing more water-efficient appliances and fixtures.
As we mentioned, sometimes a declining output from a well may be due to clogging or a malfunctioning pump. In this case, it can be quite an easy task to improve well water yield with a little repair or replacement work from Greco & Haines.
How Much Does Water Flow Testing Cost?
The exact cost of a yield test varies depending on a whole range of factors, but usually, you can expect to pay $300 to $500 for a professional job. While it’s possible in some cases to test well yield on your own, it’s a technical-enough undertaking and an important-enough calculation that would be best performed by well water specialists.
Turn to Greco & Haines for Your Connecticut Well Yield Testing Needs
Here at Greco and Haines, we’re proud to offer top-of-the-line well water yield testing services in Derby, Woodbridge, Orange, and all over Connecticut. We’ve been serving CT well owners for more than 60 years and are happy to offer our prompt and skillful work seven days a week and 365 days a year! We offer yield tests Monday through Saturday.
To schedule your well test or any other service, contact us here at the Greco and Haines website or call us at 203-735-9308 or 203-777-2256 or Call Toll Free from any CT Area Code at 1-800-922-2958!