If your home relies on a private well, understanding your well’s yield can help you determine whether your water supply can keep up with your household’s needs. Whether you’re purchasing a home, experiencing low water pressure, or simply want peace of mind, a well yield test provides valuable information about how your well performs over time.
What Is a Well Yield Test?
According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, a well’s yield is the amount of water that can be pumped continuously from the well over a period of time. In simple terms, a yield test measures how much water your well can produce and how quickly it can recover while water is being used.
It’s important to understand that there is no single number that determines whether a well is “good” or “bad.” The amount of water a household needs depends on the number of people living in the home and their daily water usage habits.
Are Well Yield Tests Required in Connecticut?
One of the biggest misconceptions homeowners have is that Connecticut requires yield testing for all private wells.
The state only requires yield testing for newly constructed wells. There are no yield test requirements for existing private wells in Connecticut. However, many homeowners choose to have a yield test performed when purchasing a home, experiencing water shortages, or evaluating the performance of an older well.
How H2O Equipment Performs a Well Yield Test
At H2O Equipment Company, our technicians perform a controlled test to evaluate how your well responds during sustained water use.
The process includes:
- Measuring the Static Water Level
Before the test begins, we use a sonar device to measure the well’s static water level.
The static water level is the distance from the ground surface to the point where water begins in the well. This measurement provides a starting point so we can monitor how the water level changes throughout the test.
- Running Water for 60 Minutes
We run an unrestricted faucet, such as an outdoor hose bib, continuously for 60 minutes to determine how much water the well can produce during that period.
Throughout the test, we record measurements at:
- 1 minute
- 10 minutes
- 20 minutes
- 30 minutes
- 40 minutes
- 50 minutes
- 60 minutes
During this time, we also monitor:
- The static water level
- The electrical amp draw of the well pump
- The total gallons of water used
These measurements help us understand both the well’s production and how hard the pump is working during operation.
What Happens If the Well Runs Out of Water?
If the well runs out of water before the 60-minute test is complete, we wait 10 minutes and then run the system again.
This additional testing helps determine the well’s recovery rate, or how quickly water returns to the well after heavy use.
Even if the well does not run dry, we can still evaluate its recovery by allowing it to rest for 10 minutes after the test and measuring the static water level again.
What Is a Good Well Yield?
There is no universal answer to this question.
A well that works perfectly for a retired couple may not be sufficient for a large family with multiple bathrooms, frequent laundry use, and irrigation needs.
The most important factor is whether the well can consistently meet your household’s daily water demands. In some cases, homes with lower-yield wells can still function very well when paired with appropriate storage solutions or water-use management practices.
Signs You May Need a Well Yield Test
You may want to schedule a yield test if you notice:
- Water pressure dropping during heavy use
- Running out of water after showers, laundry, or irrigation
- Air sputtering from faucets
- A home purchase that includes a private well
- Questions about your well’s long-term performance
A professional yield test can provide valuable information about your water supply and help identify potential issues before they become larger problems.
Schedule a Well Yield Test
If you’re concerned about your well’s performance or want to better understand your water supply, H2O Equipment Company can help. Our experienced technicians perform comprehensive well yield testing to give homeowners the information they need to make informed decisions about their private water systems.
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