25+ Years Manufacturing Experience: Accurate well specifications are the foundation of every successful Simple Pump installation. Based on thousands of customer installations and precision engineering oversight, here's your comprehensive guide to finding and measuring well information correctly.
Why Well Information Accuracy Is Critical
From Our Technical Support Experience: Inaccurate well measurements are the #1 cause of installation problems. We've seen many installations where estimated measurements led to insufficient drop pipe length - the system gets installed but still doesn't reach water, adding cost and delays.
Engineering Reality: Providing incorrect information may mean the difference between installation being possible or not. In extreme cases, inaccurate data can make a Simple Pump installation technically infeasible.
Regional Well Data Lookup
Find Your Area's Typical Well Characteristics
Based on USGS National Water Information System data:
[Future Enhancement: Interactive zip code lookup showing regional averages for static water level, typical well depths, common casing sizes, and geological formation data]
Current Regional Patterns:
- Midwest: Typically 40-80 feet static water level, 6-8 inch casings
- Southwest: Often 100-300+ feet static water level, deeper wells
- Northeast: Variable depths, often 6 inch casings with seasonal variations
- Southeast: Generally shallower static levels, consistent recovery rates
This regional data helps validate your specific measurements against area norms.
Complete Well Information Guide
Essential Measurements You Need
From Simple Pump Technical Videos: "The static water level is where water naturally sits inside your well casing under normal conditions, when no pumps are running. This is the most critical measurement for proper pump sizing."
1. Static Water Level (MOST CRITICAL)
What it is: Distance from ground level to water surface when no pumps are running
- Closer to surface than bottom of well
- Closer to surface than submersible pump level
- Determined by water table pressure
- Can change over time due to seasonal variations and aquifer conditions
2. Well Depth
What it is: Total distance from ground level to bottom of well
- Found on original drilling report
- Generally doesn't change after drilling
- Shows maximum available depth
3. Well Casing Diameter
What it is: Inner diameter of well casing (inside measurement)
- Common residential sizes: 4", 5", 6", 8" diameter
- Critical for: Proper well cap selection and pump fit
- Important: Measure actual casing, not cap or fittings
4. Additional Helpful Information
- Recovery Rate: How quickly water flows back after pumping (GPM)
- Well Configuration: Through-cap or pitless adapter system
- Frost Level: Regional freeze depth for weep hole placement
- Existing Pump Details: Type, depth, specifications
Where to Find Your Well Information
Method 1: Well Report Sources
Three Primary Sources for Official Records:
Your Well Report
- Typically recorded in your state's official documents
- Contains original depth, water strike levels, casing specifications
- May be 10-20+ years old (water levels can change)
Well Drilling Company
- Original contractor may have copy on file
- Can provide updated measurements if still in business
- Often includes installation photos and notes
State Official Records
- All states maintain databases of well completion reports
- Searchable by property address or owner name
- Most comprehensive source for official documentation
Complete State Resource Directory
Professional Database Access by State:
Method 2: Professional Measurement
When to Hire Professionals:
Most Accurate Approach
Manufacturing Recommendation: Well companies provide the most precise measurements using professional equipment.
What Professionals Provide:
- Static water level measurement using sonic testing equipment
- Well casing diameter verification (inside and outside measurements)
- Well condition assessment for any obstructions or problems
- Installation feasibility review for Simple Pump compatibility
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Professional measurement typically costs $150-300 but prevents costly installation mistakes.
When Professional Help Is Essential
- Safety concerns with deep or complex wells
- Measurement challenges due to existing equipment
- Complex well configurations requiring expert assessment
- Installation planning when professionals will handle installation
Method 3: DIY Measurement Guide
Safety Warning: Never enter or put your head over an open well - risk of toxic gases, fall hazard, and contamination.
Static Water Level Measurement
Method 1: Bobber and Weight Technique
- Equipment needed: Bobber, weight, measuring line (marked in feet)
- Procedure:
- Attach weight below bobber on measuring line
- Lower slowly down well until line goes slack (bobber hits water)
- Mark line at ground level
- Pull up and measure wet portion of line
- Measurement: Distance from ground level to water surface
Method 2: Professional Sonic Testing
- Equipment: Electronic depth finders used by well contractors
- Accuracy: Digital measurement to within inches
- Recommendation: Best option for critical installations
Measurement Timing: Always measure when no pumps have been running for several hours to get true static level.
Well Casing Diameter Measurement
For Pitless Adapter Systems (easier access):
- Remove well cover to access casing top
- Use tape measure for direct inside diameter measurement
- Can also measure outside diameter for reference
For Through-Cap Systems (existing pump weight on cap):
- Challenge: Difficult to access casing directly
- Solution: Circumference measurement technique
- Use cloth measuring tape around casing (not cap)
- Measure actual casing that goes into ground
- Convert circumference to diameter using online calculators
Common Conversion: Circumference / 3.14159 = Diameter
Understanding Well Configurations
Two Main Installation Types
Through-Cap Configuration
- Water line exits through well cap
- Entire submersible pump weight sits on cap
- More difficult casing access for measurement
- Pipe measurement needed: Outside diameter of existing water pipe
Pitless Adapter Configuration
- Water line exits through casing side underground
- Easy access to well casing top for measurement
- Simpler cap requirements and maintenance
Regional and Environmental Considerations
Frost Level Requirements
Manufacturing Specification: Weep hole placement depends on regional freeze depth.
Regional Variations:
- Northern States: Up to 8+ feet freeze level
- Alaska/Mountain: Even deeper freeze considerations
- Southern Regions: Minimal freeze level requirements
Universal Recommendation: Even in non-freezing climates, minimum 48-inch weep depth recommended for water quality (prevents warm water sitting in pump head).
Expert Installation Guidance
Installation Capability Assessment
Customer Success Data from 25+ Years:
DIY Installation Success Rate: 95%+ completion based on customer feedback
Real Customer Examples:
- Maine Customer: 140-foot well, zero experience, completed in 1.5 hours
- 60-Year-Old Accessibility: "Did it while sitting in a chair"
- Professional Validation: Well drillers describe Simple Pump as "head and shoulders above competitors"
Professional vs DIY Decision Framework
DIY Success Indicators:
- Basic mechanical understanding present
- Standard well configuration (6" or larger casing)
- Reasonable well depth (under 200 feet)
- Access to standard plumbing tools
Professional Installation Recommended:
- Complex well configurations
- Safety concerns or physical limitations
- Local code requirements for professional installation
- Customer preference for professional validation
Simple Pump Compatibility
From Engineering Specifications:
Well Depth Capability
- Hand Pump Operation: Up to 325 feet static water level
- Motor-Assisted: Enhanced capabilities with 12V/24V systems
- Shallow Well: Specialized suction systems for 25 feet or less
Casing Requirements
- Minimum: 4-inch inner diameter casing
- Optimal: 6-inch or larger for easier installation
- Maximum: No upper limit for casing size
Recovery Rate Considerations
Manufacturing Experience: Hand pumps rarely outpace well recovery since they pump much slower than submersible pumps.
Low-Yield Well Adaptation: Special configurations available for wells with recovery rates under 5 GPM.
Ready to Get Started?
Now that you understand how to gather well information, take the next step toward water security:
Or explore our Product Systems to learn more about Simple Pump capabilities.
Get Your Custom Quote
Ready for Next Steps?
Based on Your Well Information:
Technical Consultation
Have your measurements ready? Call our technical team at (877) 492-8711 Ext. 6 for expert guidance on:
- System compatibility verification
- Custom configuration recommendations
- Installation planning assistance
Request Custom Quote
With accurate well measurements, request a detailed quote including:
- Proper system sizing for your well depth
- Correct drop pipe length calculations
- Installation hardware recommendations
- Total system pricing with all components
Find Professional Installation
Want professional installation? Find a certified Simple Pump dealer in your area for:
- Professional measurement verification
- Expert installation service
- Local warranty and support
Professional Resources
Additional Support
Video Guidance
Installation Videos: Watch step-by-step measurement and installation tutorials at Simple Pump YouTube Channel
Technical Support
Expert Assistance: Our manufacturing team provides technical support for measurement questions, compatibility concerns, and installation planning.
Dealer Network
Local Expertise: Connect with certified dealers who understand local well conditions, regulations, and installation requirements.
Next Steps
- Ready to buy? Request Custom Quote
- Need professional help? Find Local Dealer
- Have technical questions? Contact Support or call (877) 492-8711
- Want to learn more? Browse Product Systems
Manufacturing Authority: This guide reflects Simple Pump's 25+ years of precision engineering experience and thousands of successful customer installations. Accurate well information ensures proper system sizing and reliable long-term operation.
For technical questions or measurement assistance, contact Simple Pump at (877) 492-8711 or technical support