Choosing the Right Water Well Supply System for Your Property
Choosing the right water well supply system is one of the most important long‑term decisions you’ll make for your property, your water quality, and your peace of mind. This guide walks through the key choices so you can plan a system that’s reliable, efficient, and sized for life on your Western Colorado property.
Start With Your Property And Water Needs
Every well system should be tailored to how you actually use water.
Key questions to consider:
- How many people and fixtures will use water daily (home, shop, barn, irrigation)?
- Do you need steady pressure for sprinklers, livestock waterers, or multiple showers at once?
- Are you planning future additions like an ADU, barn, or landscaping that will increase demand?
- Do you need potable drinking water only, or high‑volume irrigation as well?
A proper design starts with your projected gallons per minute (GPM) and total daily water use, then matches the well, pump, and pressure system to that demand.
Core Parts Of A Water Well Supply System
No matter the property, most residential well systems share a similar backbone.
Typical components include:
- Well casing and screen: Steel or PVC pipe that lines the bore hole, with a screened section that lets water in while blocking sand and silt.
- Well cap or seal: Seals the top of the casing to keep out insects, small animals, and debris.
- Pump: Jet pump (above ground) or submersible pump (down in the well) that moves water to the surface.
- Drop pipe and check valves: Carry water up from the pump and prevent backflow when the pump shuts off.
- Pressure tank: Stores water under pressure so the pump doesn’t have to start every time you open a faucet.
- Pressure switch, gauges, and controls: Turn the pump on and off automatically within a set pressure range.
- Water storage tanks (cisterns) are also common and often necessary in a water well supply system in this area.
- Filtration or treatment: Optional equipment to address minerals, sediment, hardness, iron, or other water‑quality issues identified by testing.
These pieces need to be sized to each other; an oversized pump on a small pressure tank, for example, can cause rapid cycling and shorten equipment life.
Choosing The Right Pump Type
Your well depth, static water level, and performance goals largely determine the best pump style.
Main residential options
| Pump type | Typical depth range | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submersible pump | About 25–400+ feet | Very efficient, quiet, reliable | Requires pulling from the well for service |
| Shallow jet pump | Up to ~25 feet | Above‑ground access, simple install | Limited to shallow water levels |
| Deep‑well jet pump | ~25–110 feet | Above‑ground pump, handles deeper water | Less efficient than submersibles |
- Submersible pumps are the most common choice for modern residential wells, especially in regions where wells often run well below 100 feet.
- Jet pumps can be practical for shallow wells or specific retrofit situations, but they generally draw water less efficiently than submersibles and may require priming.
A professional pump sizing calculation will account for well depth, lift, friction loss in piping, preferred pressure range, and desired flow rate.
Pressure, Storage, And Water Quality
Comfort, equipment protection, and water safety all depend on what happens after water reaches the surface.
- Pressure tank sizing: A larger, properly sized tank reduces pump cycling, extends pump life, and evens out pressure in the home.
- Pressure settings: Typical residential settings might be in the 40–60 psi range, but high‑demand systems (long runs, irrigation, multiple buildings) may need careful calibration or booster solutions. Constant pressure systems are more efficient and have greater pressure stability (5psi vs 20psi range), they have a soft start and a smaller control footprint.
- Filtration and treatment: Common add‑ons include sediment filters, water softeners, iron filters, and disinfection (such as UV), depending on lab test results.
- Monitoring: Pressure gauges, relief valves, and accessible shutoffs are small pieces that play a big role in safety and troubleshooting.
A baseline water test for bacteria, minerals, and other parameters is essential before choosing any treatment equipment.
Permits, Compliance, And Local Expertise
In Colorado, all new or replacement wells require a permit through the Division of Water Resources, and different use types (household, irrigation, livestock, commercial) can have distinct rules and limits. Proper well siting must also respect setbacks from septic systems, property lines, and surface water to protect your aquifer and stay compliant.
Working with a local water well specialist who understands Western Colorado geology, water tables, and permitting saves time and prevents costly mistakes in system design and installation. They can coordinate drilling, pump selection, trenching, controls, and ongoing maintenance so your system performs reliably for decades.
When To Call A Professional
If you are planning a new build, buying raw land, or replacing an aging well system, it’s wise to involve a trusted well contractor early—ideally before finalizing site plans or major landscaping. A professional evaluation will help you:
- When buying, if there is a water well and/or water well supply system already on the property, a flow test and equipment inspection, as well as a water quality test, are essential to the decision to buy a property.
- Estimate realistic well depth and yield for your area
- Choose between submersible and jet pump options based on your site and budget
- Properly size the pressure tank, controls, and plumbing layout
- Plan filtration or treatment tailored to your actual water chemistry
That upfront planning is what turns a basic well into a dependable, efficient system that supports your property for years to come.
