What do you do if your well runs dry

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What do you do if your well runs dry

What to do if Your Well Runs Out of Water

What to do if Your Well Runs Out of Water

Summary: If you depend on well water, you cannot afford to let your well run dry. The best way to avoid a dry well is to ensure that you drill deep into an aquifer the first time.

Many people who live beyond the big city limits rely on well water to provide them and their family with fresh, safe water to drink. In a developed country, it can be easy to fall into the habit of taking water for granted, but have you ever stopped to think about what might happen if your well runs dry?

What do you do if your well runs dry

Can Your Well Run Out of Water?

If your well has been correctly drilled, it can last your family a lifetime, but it is possible for a well to run dry. This often happens with wells that are too shallow. If a well is not drilled deep enough, it may only be a water table well. These wells are influenced greatly by the amount of rain that falls, as these shallow water tables are dependent upon rain to replace what water has been depleted. If there is a period of drought in your area, you will run the risk of running out of water.

One of the best ways to combat a dry well is to drill deeper in an attempt to locate a more stable source of water. By doing so, water well drillers are looking for an aquifer that will not be as easily affected by a lack of rainfall.

However, you can simply avoid all of this hassle by ensuring that you drill a deep well to begin with! By calling a water finding company, instead of depending on a shallow water table well that could run dry any time it fails to rain, you can enjoy a steady stream of water from a deep well.

How Do Water Finding Companies Make a Difference?

Water finding companies, like American Water Surveyors, are able to measure groundwater depths and yields from the surface, before locating the perfect spot to dig. In contrast, water well drillers often get paid by the foot as they dig, regardless of whether or not they hit water. Water finding companies don’t only look for sources of water – they look for the best sources. American Water Surveyors uses the latest in technology to assist farmers, municipalities, developers, and homeowners alike find the best water sources on their properties. By doing so, you will feel assured that your water source will last for years to come, even during a dry season. A deep well in a confined aquifer has a much better chance of containing water during a dry spell than a water table well ever could.

Contact American Water Surveyors Today

Make sure that you and your family have continuous access to fresh, clean well water by contacting American Water Surveyors for your water finding needs. We are dedicated to being the premier service provider in the water finding industry. We can map the transmissivity of water from the surface and estimate yield in gallons per minute or liters per second. We ensure that your well is deep within the ground, so that you can depend on your aquifer for a long time. Email us at or call us at 1-877-SEISMO1 (734-7661) to find out more.

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Short answer: yes.

What does it mean when a water well runs dry?

Quality wells are drilled so they reach groundwater aquifers. When the water level goes below the intake — for whatever reason — then it’s said the well has “run dry.”

What is an aquifer?

Aquifers are not underground rivers as some like to think they are — instead they are like a permeable rock that allows water to seep in from above. This process acts like a natural filter that traps potentially harmful chemicals and bacteria.

If a well runs dry, is it permanent?

When a well “runs dry” it doesn’t mean that the well will never produce water again. Aquifers can recharge through a combination of more precipitation and less pumps pulling water out of that aquifer. Sometimes wells can run dry permanently, but that is quite uncommon.

How likely is it that my well will run dry?

Not likely. It depends on many factors, but generally most modern wells are dug deep enough so that they should never “run dry” in their lifetime.

Why do water wells run dry?

The reasons that a well runs dry is typically caused by human error rather than some natural phenomenon. For example, if the same aquifer is being pumped aggressively by many pumps, it can deplete the aquifer to the point where certain pumps will start to “run dry” temporarily.

Another reason a well could run dry is water leaks in the pips between your well pump and pressure tank.

Does the well “running dry” do any damage?

Yes, it can. Running the well pump when there isn’t water to pump can damage the pump itself which can cause it to burn out prematurely. Well pumps can be quite expensive to replace.

Can you tell if your well is about to run dry?

The water pressure tends to lower significantly right before the water level dips below the water intake.

Is there anything that can be done to make sure the well doesn’t run dry?

Practicing water conservation is a good idea all on its own, but it also serves the purpose of not allowing the water level drop too low.

Another tactic is deepening the well itself. Deeper is not always better, but a well professional like A&T Well and Pump can detect new fractures that would be higher yield.

Another factor to keep in mind is age of the well. Wells can fill in with sediment as they age, so it’s possible clean out the well to increase the water yield.

Need your Well Pump Serviced?

If you live in the greater Raleigh area, consider A&T Well and Pump, a reputable company that specializes in well drilling, maintenance, and repairs. They will test the water, inspect the well, make any necessary repairs, and then disinfect the well before you resume using the water. If you have any of the concerns detailed above, or just want to get some routine testing and maintenance done, contact us today by calling 919-291-4063 or by filling out the contact form below!

What do you do if your well runs dry

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Can you add water to a well?

Adding water to your well is not recommended. It could contaminate your supply, and will not alleviate your water shortage problems during drought conditions.

What happens to the pump if a well runs dry?

If there is no ground water available to enter the pump, it sucks air instead of water. When the tap is turned on, nothing comes out. In most cases, this is caused by the underground water table dropping below the level of the well pump.

Why would a well go dry?

Groundwater depletion can also cause wells to run dry when the top surface of the groundwater – known as the water table – drops so far that the well isn't deep enough to reach it, leaving the well literally high and dry.

Why am I not getting water from my well?

Usually this means that the pump is trying to push water but can't get it to the tank, often times this would indicate a pumped out well. You should turn off the power to the pump and wait 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, turn it on and see if the gauge rises. If it does, you are back in business.