A dry water well can be distressing, but it’s rarely a permanent issue. Even during extended dry spells, homeowners can often find ways to access water that’s deeper underground. In this article, I’ll explore various techniques to fix a dry water well, helping you save money and avoid headaches.
Is the Issue a Dry Water Well?
Before diving into solutions, check that the well is truly dry and the actual problem doesn’t lie with the pump, pressure tank, or mineral scale buildup. These issues can mimic the symptoms of a dry well.
Signs your well may be running dry include reduced water pressure, faucets that sputter when you turn them on, sediment in the water, and the pump running without drawing any water.
Professional well technicians can provide a precise problem diagnosis. They’ll measure the water level and assess the well’s overall condition, clearly showing what’s happening underground. With the problem correctly identified, you can come up with an efficient and cost-effective plan for resolution.
In the following sections, I’ll address specific solutions for dry wells.
Find a Temporary Alternative Water Supply
Under severe drought conditions, you may need to find an alternative water supply until rainfall replenishes the water table.
Water delivery services provide temporary relief by delivering large quantities of water in trucks. They fill storage tanks connected to your home’s plumbing system, making sure your household has enough water until the well’s supply replenishes. Don’t add water from delivery services directly into the well, as it could damage the well and contaminate the water supply.
Investing in water storage tanks is a wise decision for homeowners whose water supply comes from a well. They hold water supplied by delivery services or harvested rainwater, giving you an emergency supply in case your well runs dry.
Lower the Water Pump
A common and cost-effective solution for a dry well is lowering the water pump. This solution works if there’s water below the pump’s current level, as it gives access to deeper water reserves.
If your well uses a submersible pump — typical in residential settings — you can lower it to reach the new water level and restore water flow. However, this approach won’t work for wells with jet pumps or those that aren’t deep enough to accommodate more pipe.
I recommend consulting a well-drilling technician for pump-lowering jobs, especially if your well is deeper than 150 feet. A professional can determine if lowering is feasible at all. If it is, they can calculate how far the pump needs to be lowered and add the necessary pipe extension so the pump reaches deeper water.
Hydrofracture the Well
Technicians use hydrofracturing, also known as hydrofracking, as a way to rehabilitate wells that draw water from an aquifer. Hydrofracking uses high-pressure water to clear silt and sediment that block fractures in the aquifer, enhancing water flow and improving the overall functionality of the well.
When successful, hydrofracturing can increase well yield by one to 10 gallons per minute. Although homeowners typically pay between $2,000 and $7,000, depending on the type of hydrofracking that needs to be done, it may be cheaper than drilling a new well.
Deepen the Well
Drilling deeper often taps into another water-bearing aquifer, providing a more drought-resistant water supply. This method benefits wells that need to be deeper to reach significant water reserves.
Consider deepening if you have a shallow well (less than 50 feet deep). Even adding ten more feet of depth helps wells reach additional water. Well-drilling technicians evaluate local geology and water table conditions to determine if deepening is a viable option. It’s often the right approach for wells that have struggled during dry periods.
The well-deepening process involves removing the pump and any existing well equipment, setting up a drilling rig, attaching a drilling bit to extend the borehole, and excavating down to reach new water sources.
Deepening a well can sometimes cost less than drilling a new one, but costs vary significantly based on the well’s condition, the terrain, and the water table depth.
Is It Time To Replace the Well?
If a well that’s run dry is older than a few decades, it’s time to consider drilling a new one. The average life span of a well is around 20 to 30 years, though many can last up to 50 years or longer, depending on the conditions and maintenance performed.
Modern well-digging uses advanced technologies and materials that boost wells’ durability and efficiency. New well designs often produce more water and allow for larger storage tanks, offering increased capacity and reliability compared to older wells.
Drilling a new well involves a significant investment. Costs average around $5,500, according to Angi, and depend on terrain and required depth. While the cost is considerable, it may be less expensive than deepening an existing well, and you’ll have a modern, dependable water source.
If you dig a new well, be sure to decommission the old one according to local guidelines to protect the water supply.
Final Thoughts About Fixing a Dry Water Well
Dealing with a dry water well is stressful, but you have several options to restore the water supply —from simpler solutions, such as lowering the pump, to more involved processes, such as hydrofracturing or drilling a new well.
The right approach depends on your specific circumstances and DIY enthusiasts can sometimes take on the job, but I recommend consulting with a professional well technician. They can thoroughly assess your situation and recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective solution.