What Is a Well Pump?
A well pump is a pump that pumps groundwater up from a well.
The mechanism of a well pump is similar to the straw principle, in that the well pump creates an artificial near-vacuum and pumps up the water using the principle of atmospheric pressure causing the liquid to rise.
The groundwater pumped up by well pumps is used for drinking water, miscellaneous water, and agricultural water, including in times of disaster, depending on the quality of the water.
Uses of Well Pumps
Well pumps are available as manual or electric pumps and are used for a variety of purposes, including domestic water, agricultural water for fields, orchards, tea gardens, water for business use, and emergency water. If groundwater pumped from a well pump is to be used as drinking water, it must be periodically tested for water quality as required by prefectural and municipal ordinances.
Even if the water is not used as drinking water, water quality testing and maintenance should be performed to ensure hygiene and safety.
Features of Well Pumps
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of installing a well pump.
Advantages
Groundwater pumped from a well pump is characterized by minimal seasonal variations in water temperature. Physically, you can use cold water in summer and warm water in winter.
Another major advantage is that you can drink water that does not have the chalky odor that is often associated with tap water. Whatever the use, another advantage is that the use of a well pump eliminates the cost of water supply.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage is the cost of installing a well pump. In addition, if the water is used for drinking purposes, periodic water quality testing is required, which is an indispensable expense for safe use.
In addition, well pumps require regular maintenance. If it rusts or makes unusual noises, it should be replaced.
Types of Well Pumps
There are three types of well pump pumping methods
1. Pickle Well
A pickle well is a well in which a “pulley, rope, and tub” are installed on top of a shallow well to pump up groundwater manually.
A tub called a “tsurube” is tied to the end of the rope, and the water is pumped up using the principle of leverage. In Japan, tsurube wells became popular in the mid-Edo period (1603-1867) and were abandoned after the Showa 30s (1960s), when water supply became widespread.
Because of their simple structure and easy repair, pickle wells are still used today to provide water assistance in developing countries.
2. Manual Well Pump
The manual well pump is an advanced pumping method for the pickle well. By manually raising and lowering the hand-push handle, a near-vacuum condition is created and pumped up using the action of atmospheric pressure.
Manual well pumps were mainly used from the end of the Edo period to before the 1950s, and still exist today in many areas as cooperative wells in times of disaster.
3. Electric Well Pump
Electric well pumps are a pumping method that uses an electric motor and became popular after the 1950s. The principle is the same as that of manual pumps.
Electric well pumps include jet pumps and submersible pumps that use a high-pressure jet to push the well.
How to Select a Well Pump
When selecting a well pump for a home, focus on the “depth” of the well and the “type” of the well pump.
1. Depth
Generally, a shallow well pump is suitable for wells less than 8 meters deep, while a deep well pump should be selected for wells deeper than 8 meters, as a shallow well pump will not work for wells deeper than 8 meters.
2. Purpose of Use
If you are planning to install a well pump in anticipation of a power outage in the event of a disaster, a manual well Pump is the safest choice. If you will be pumping daily, an electric well Pump is recommended.
For shallow wells, both manual and electric well pumps can be used. However, groundwater pumped from shallow wells should be used for miscellaneous purposes, as it is susceptible to soil contamination and is not suitable for drinking.
Other Information on Well Pumps
1. Cost of Installing a Well Pump
It is possible to install a well pump on one’s own with a few hundred thousand yen in DIY costs and labor. However, in some cases, toxic gases may be produced and work will be required to prevent collapse, so we recommend hiring a contractor as much as possible.
The cost of hiring a contractor will vary depending on the depth of the aquifer and the service life of the well pump, but it should be expected to cost at least ¥200,000 to ¥300,000.
2. Points to Note before Purchasing
As an arrangement before purchasing a well pump, we recommend that you check with the local government to see if drilling is possible and also to find out if there are any subsidies or subsidies available. Note that if you apply for a grant or subsidy after the well pump has been installed, likely, you will likely not be awarded the grant or subsidy.