Plenty of Water

Plenty of Water

Plenty of Pressure

This time-honored definition of an adequate private water system can be refined into specific quantities by understanding key performance criteria:

1. Total Demand

Sum of all water requirements (gallons per day - gpd)

Residential: Based on number of occupants

Farm systems: Determined by livestock quantity/type

Non-farm/commercial: Varies by application

2. Peak Demand

Periods of maximum water usage (typically 1-2 hour durations)

Residential: Morning/evening peaks

Commercial: Varies by operation (e.g., school recess, hotel guest routines)

3. System Capacity Requirements

Must accommodate:

Pump capacity matching peak demand (e.g., 30 gpm for 1 hour)

Well production capability at peak demand

Storage tank capacity to supplement well output if needed

Critical Design Considerations:

Peak duration varies by application:

• Schools: 15-30 minute peaks

• Hotels: 2-hour average peaks

4. Pressure Requirements

Key factors:

Standard 20-40 psi pump settings may be inadequate for:

• Long piping runs

• Undersized/scaled pipes

• Systems with water conditioners (20 psi potential drop)

Appliance Pressure Needs:

Dishwashers/washers: Minimum 10 psi

Lawn sprinklers: Minimum 20 psi

5. Submergence & Elevation

Submergence: Pump/foot valve should be several feet below pumping level (accounts for water table fluctuations)

• Never place at well bottom (risk of sediment damage)

Elevation: Vertical distance from pump location to wellhead ground level

• Zero elevation for well-installed pumps

6. Specific Capacity

Well's equilibrium production rate (gpm) when:

• Inflow = Pump output

• Drawdown level is stable

Critical for proper system sizing

(This version organizes complex system design criteria into clear categories with bullet points for key specifications. Technical details are preserved while improving readability through concise phrasing and logical grouping.)