Your water well can change over time, and its yield may go up or down. If the yield is too low, it won’t be useful for providing water to your property. There are many reasons this can happen, and only some of them are actual problems with the well itself. Here’s what you can do to identify the problem and keep your water flowing.

Signs a Water Well Is Running Dry

If you notice low water pressure coming out of faucets and fixtures, your water supply may be dwindling. You may also see or taste changes in the water quality as your pump draws from the well’s last dregs. It may look muddy, cloudy, or rusty; and may have an unpleasant taste or odor, such as an earthy or brackish taste. 

Your water well pump may struggle to keep you supplied, so it will run more often and for longer. Because of this, your electricity bill can spike.

How to Resolve the Problem

First, check your well pump and plumbing. It’s much more common for your system to be worn out or broken than for the well itself to run out of water. Listen to the pump to be sure that it's running and isn't making any unusual sounds. Look for signs of a leak in your pipes, including swampy or especially green areas of your yard along your water line. 

Also, check whether water shortages or quality issues are affecting all the faucets and appliances attached to your well; if only some are affected, there's likely a problem connected to those specific fixtures, such as a clog. If you aren't sure whether you may have a pump or plumbing problem, call a professional for a thorough inspection.

If the pump is working well and there are no leaks or clogs in the pipes, schedule a water well inspection. Your provider may find that sand and mineral buildup have clogged the seams in the sides of your well which water flows through. If this is the case, they may recommend digging the existing well deeper, or they may recommend a procedure such as hydrofracturing, which can break open new seams.

If subterranean water supplies in your area have shifted or dried up, it may be difficult or impossible to get your well running again. These types of changes will usually affect your neighbors too, so ask around to see who still has water. You may have luck drilling a new water well at a different location on your property if it’s large enough.

For help inspecting and fixing a dry water well, choose Rosenlund Drilling LLC. Based in Elko, NV, and serving the whole state, they have over 50 years of experience and are licensed to install and repair wells and equipment, including pumps and pressure tanks. Call (775) 753-7960 or visit their website to get started.