Expert: Dana Bostick - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello.  I live in the country and have a well that is about 700 feet away from my house. The well house has, of course, a half horse power pump and large pressure tank.  I have great water pressure both at the well and near the house in the outdoor hydrant.  I have very little water pressure in the house after the water goes into the "system" which includes a water softener. My husband thought the pressure problem was because of buildup in the home's old pipes, but our son's house, which is new and is another 300 feet farther (we use the same well) has the same problem - great pressure up to his house, but nearly none after it hits his "system".  Is the problem in the water softeners or something to do with the changing pipe sizes in getting to and from the softener - or something else.  HELP - I've talked with everyone I can think of, including some "experts" and still have a "dribble" of a shower!  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Cynthia,
There are two factors to consider with water flow.  Pressure, and flow rate in gallons per minute. When people people complain about lack of pressure, it is often the flow rate they they are perceiving as being low, not the actual pressure. Pressure is a static measurement.

With that long of a run from the well, pipe sizing is very important. You are dealing with what is called "friction loss" which drops the effective pressure and flow rate the longer the run. If the flow is good outside the house, the problem is with the pipe sizing or a restriction at the houses.

A water softener is a good place to start. If the by-pass valve on the softener is too small, it will severely restrict the flow rate past the softener.  Softeners also have some pretty small passages on the inside of the valve body that are easily blocked by debris. Try using the by-pass to "go around" the softener and see if the flow in the house gets better.  If it does, you've found the problem.  Have you seen evidence of any little amber beads anywhere in the water system in the house? Softeners can malfunction and kick out the resin beads which clog up the pipes and valves.
Good Luck,
Dana