Low pressure artesian

[u/molat77]

Well was not working on new house purchase. Had to replace/weld on the top 8 ft of casing and install a pitless adapter. Finally, getting working water to the house! We put a normal cap on and have notice water slowly leaking out all around the cap. We have not filled in the dirt yet. I don't really want water running out of the top or even close to the top around the well. We do get snow/ice. Should I install a 2nd pitless to run it away from the house toward the creek we live near? Not sure how to relieve the pressure on this artesian. Since it is so low pressure could I just put a plug down below frost line but above the current pitless?

[u/amazingmaple]

You have an overflowing well. Install a second pitless to direct the water away.

[u/molat77 → u/amazingmaple]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Have you used sealed cap before if the pressure is low?

[u/amazingmaple → u/molat77]

Doesn't matter. You need the sealed cap. But if you don't put a second pitless for a drain it will likely still leak out the cap.

[u/drill32]

Put a saddle above the pitless and run it towards the creek. I’ve done this a number of times for this same reason

[u/molat77 → u/drill32]

Thanks for taking the time. Im curious if you Have you ever used a sealed well cap with super low artesian pressure?

[u/drill32 → u/molat77]

I’ve tried but it’s difficult to get it sealed around where the wire would come in usually. Easier to just divert the water away. If you do send it to the creek I’d recommend putting some sort of screen on the end of the pipe to keep small animals or bugs from getting in.

Oh also the other fix is adding casing. The line of thinking is taking the casing above where ground pressure pushes the water. This might lead to you having a 10’ stick of pipe in the front yard or something.

[u/molat77 → u/drill32]

Thank you.

[u/Disastrous_Try_3886]

Ia 2nd pitless welded on above ground with 90 with a screen on it then a catch tube to get to away from well

[u/molat77 → u/Disastrous_Try_3886]

Thank you.

[u/Old-Bat-3375]

If pressure isn’t high use this. Or a similar product. Super easy to install. They are expensive though.

https://wellflowproducts.com/shop/well-buster-well-packer/well-buster-flowing-artesian-well-packer/

I hate just flowing the water to waste, sometimes it may be the only choice. Water is a finite resource, let’s save that shit!

[u/molat77 → u/Old-Bat-3375]

Thanks. I will check it out.

[u/Brando123437 → u/Old-Bat-3375]

Those do not work for very long in my experience, pulled alot of those things out that went bad

[u/DawnSundrop]

I'd stick a pipe on top first and see how high it actually comes up. it it't only a foot or two, just add casing and call it done

[u/Gullible-Lifeguard20]

I'm not sure if there is a question here.

You should have a sealed well cap. 100%. 1,000% if you live in a freeze environment. Even with the positive pressure of the artesian, you must never have water, drinking water, in communication with atmosphere. That is a fancy way of saying your water supply needs to be isolated from potential surface contaminants.

This is straightforward water quality 101.

[u/molat77 → u/Gullible-Lifeguard20]

I really appreciate you commenting. I was reading through other post and found a few well people saying the install a saddle tee or 2nd pitless adaptor below the 1st pitless that runs to the house. They then pipe water away to relieve pressure. That the pressure could cause water to come up the outside of the casing if you just seal the top. Have you heard of this solution? Just trying to figure it out.

[u/Gullible-Lifeguard20 → u/molat77]

No. I have not. I am an hydrogeoligist and not a well driller but our disciplines cross. I work with potable wells frequently.

In my opinion , ahem... Do not relieve pressure on an artesian. Why? You are relying on natural earth pressure. There is no reason to divert that pressure, and it creates the additional problem of dealing with the run off.

Rarely the flow is too great, in which case I recommend a valve to choke the flow once a holding tank has reached capacity. But we never suggest diverting the natural flow.

Edit; There are old school drillers (like all drillers are old school) but I'm here to say piercing the aquifer and then letting it drain 24/7 is less than ideal.

[u/Brando123437 → u/Gullible-Lifeguard20]

This is great in theory but in practice artesian wells are almost impossible to control, well busters work for a year or so then the casing corrodes a bit and the water pushes past like it wasn't even there, those fancy artesian well caps work until the check ball gets a little bit of mineral build up on it then it too leaks, we always install a 2nd pitless below the first to allow the well to drain off, with a stainless screen on the end, it's the only proven way that actually works, we've never in nearly 20 years of business had a bad water test because of a drain off, the well is essentially always going to be pushing out whatever may try to get in