Well Pump Flow Rate Questions?

One question we often get is: “How can I find out what my well pump flow rate is??”

Iron filters, acid neutralizers, and other well water treatment systems are available in different sizes. When selecting a water treatment system, you must know the well pump flow rate in gallons per minute. 

Determining your well pump's flow rate in gallons per minute is important before choosing an iron filter or other treatment system.

This is very important, but it is easy to figure out. You can easily get a good approximate figure of the flow rate yourself.

Turning on a spigot near the well won't work, and timing the water running into a bucket won't work.  This is not accurate. After all, a hose bib (or spigot) usually restricts the flow rate because the hose bib is usually a smaller diameter than the pipe.

However, you can check the flow rate more accurately yourself. All you need is a 5-gallon bucket and a watch or timer on your phone. Time how long it takes for the well to fill up your pressure tank. See the simple instructions below.

What IS Flow Rate Anyway?

Flow rate is simply how many gallons can be pumped from the well in one minute. It is generally determined by the size of your well pump and also affected by its capacity.

For example, if your well pump can fill a 5-gallon bucket in 60 seconds directly from the well, you can consider yourself to have 5 Gallons Per Minute (GPM).

Most homeowners have a standard single-speed submersible pump with a pressure tank on their private wells.  This test is for this standard type of pump and pressure tank. If you have a ‘constant pressure’ or variable-speed pump, this test, described below, won’t work.

Constant pressure systems often have very small pressure tanks or expansion tanks about the size of a beach ball. Standard pressure tank systems have larger (typically blue-colored) pressure tanks.

With standard submersible pump systems, the pump typically turns on when the pressure drops to 30 to 40 PSI and turns off when the water pressure in the pipes and pressure tank builds up to 50 to 60 PSI.

As the high pressure (Cut-Off) point is reached, water flows into the pressure tank and builds up pressure. When the high-pressure level is reached, the pressure switch turns off the well pump.

Why Measuring Flow Rate is So Important

Most iron filters and other well water treatment systems require approximately twice the backwash flow rate as the service flow rate.

A good flow rate is required to properly backwash the filter systems and provide the home with good water pressure.

Matching your Iron Filter and Well Pump

Say you want to install an iron filter that requires 8 gallons per minute to backwash and flush out accumulated iron in the filter properly.

However, your well pump can only pump 7 GPM. If that is the case, you would need a smaller iron filter that can backwash at 7 GPM.  You can also install two smaller iron filters in parallel.

Another option would be to increase the size or output of the well pump by replacing it.   Often, the well is not designed or doesn't have the capacity to pump higher output of water.

Yet another option is to install a small storage tank. The water flows from the well into the tank first, and then a booster pump with an adequate flow rate can boost the pressure after the tank.

Simple Steps to Take

Count the gallons “drawn down” from the pressure tank and the time between the well pump's cut-in and cut-off cycles. This is known as the pressure tank's drawdown.'

1. First,  allow the well pump to build up to full pressure by running water in the home or from a hose bib or faucet until you hear the well pump kick in or the pressure switch points click.
2. Close the faucet and ensure no water is used in the home. The well pump will build up pressure for a few minutes, and then the pressure switch will shut off the well pump.
3. Next, open a hose bib (also known as a ‘spigot’ or ‘faucet’) near or after the pressure tank.
4. Run the water into a 5-gallon bucket, noting how many gallons you collect. If the bucket fills up, dump out the water and keep measuring and filling.
5. Measure the number of gallons drawn down from the pressure tank until the well pump turns on.
6. When you hear the pump turn on, immediately close the hose bib.
7. Time the period in seconds it takes for the well pump to build back up to pressure, that is, between the cut-in and cut-out of the pressure switch.  The pressure switch turns on the pump at a lower pressure and turns off the pump when it reaches a higher pressure.
8. The formula for determining the flow rate is: gallons drawn down (that were measured above), divided by the seconds required for recovery, then multiplied by 60:
9. (Gallons / Seconds) x 60 = Gallons per Minute (GPM) flow rate..
10. For example, if 20 gallons are drawn down and it takes 120 seconds to build pressure back up, then 20 divided by 120 = .166. Then multiply .166 x 60 = 10 gallons per minute flow rate.
11. So you have a 10 GPM flow rate.

Here is some more information on this:

The flow rate is tested when a well is initially drilled and can be tested again to determine if there are problems with the well. It can also be important to determine your flow rate if you are looking to install new pumps or filters on your well water system.

If you have a standard well with a pressure tank and pressure switch, you can use the steps below to determine your well’s flow rate in gallons per minute. This type of system turns on the well pump at one pressure and off at a higher pressure, usually about a 20 PSI difference.

If you have a variable speed pump or a ‘constant pressure’ type pump that keeps the pressure in the house the same all the time, then this type of method won’t work. For a constant-pressure type system, consult your well contractor or send us your system's specifications, and we can help you find out what it might be.

Step By Step Guide

It is easy! All you need is a 1 or 5-gallon bucket and a watch or clock! It takes just a few minutes. Just follow these steps:

1. Open any hose bib or faucet until the well pump turns on.
2. Close the hose bib or faucet and let the pump fill up the pressure tank until the well turns off.
3. Using a 1 or 5 gal. bucket, open the faucet, and collect and measure all water discharged until the pump turns on.

You do not have to fill the buckets as fast as you can; simply measure the water.

4. When the pump turns on, immediately close the faucet and start timing the pump cycle in seconds until the well shuts off.
5. Divide the number of gallons collected in Step 3 by the number of seconds in Step 4.
6. Multiply the answer from Step 5 by 60.
7. The answer in Step 6 is the pump's average pumping capacity in gallons per minute (GPM).

See our ON-LINE CALCULATOR to make it faster and easier.

Here's a quick video, too:

If you need assistance or have any questions about this, email our support staff at support@cleanwaterstore.com or call us anytime at 888-600-5426.  Let us know how it goes!