On 15 Nov 2005 07:57:33 -0800, someone wrote:

....So he removed the "mud"
from the hole but found only about 7 gal/minute (which seems inadequate
for a 3700 sq ft house)....cut... What is a minimum reasonable flow rate?
We'd hoped to use a new
variable speed pump that can handle up to 30 gal/minute.



Are you high? You expected 30 gpm in a residential well? What do YOU
consider normal?

What's considered "normal" expectation around here is 5 gpm and
anything from 3 gpm up is accepted by the local authorities and the
mortgage companies. Below that and you need a storage tank.

A normal residence uses in the neighborhood of 250 to 400 gallons a
day. If there is something more unusual about yours (3,700 s.f. is no
big deal - usually the rating is by number of bedrooms not by their
size) maybe you'd need a tank. Do you plan to irrigate a large yard
or something? Now, THAT takes some water.

Do you also have a septic system going in? Who designed that?
Usually the daily flow it is designed for will be stated right on the
plans, but go ahead and ask that engineer how many gallons per day.
See how few minutes of pumping that is. Ask that engineer what a
reasonable rate would be.

I would be VERY surprised if 7 gpm was thought inadequate - unless you
are irrigating, or plan to fill the pool out of that well.


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