Can well water be shut off?

Author: Janiya Roob MD  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

If you have a private well, you may have two valves to turn off. Check near your well's pump and then near the pressure tank. Turn both (or just the one if there's only one) clockwise to turn the water off. And remember: When turning the water back on, GO SLOW with your counterclockwise turn.

Is there a way to turn off well water?

Well Water Main Shut-off Valve
  1. Locate the well and pressure tank.
  2. Turn the valve at the well or pressure tank, depending on which is easier to access.
  3. If frozen pipes are a concern, turn both valves and drain the building's pipes.
  4. Run a faucet to ensure the water has been properly shut off.

Is there a shut-off valve for well water?

If you're on a private well, your system will also have a main shut-off valve to stop any leaks in the home.

What happens if you turn off the well pump?

Turning off your well pump reduces your risk of flood and water damage. Additionally, many people cannot stop themselves from thinking about their well pump that they left running. If you tend to overthink, turning off your pump before leaving town can bring your peace of mind.

How long can a water well sit unused?

A well is considered 'abandoned' or permanently inactive if it has not been used for one year, unless the owner demonstrates intention to use the well again.

Main Water Shutoff Valve for private pumps and wells - Water Jane

Will a well dry up if not used?

Wells screened in unconfined water table aquifers are more directly influenced by the lack of rain than those screened in deeper confined aquifers. A deep well in a confined aquifer in an area with minimal pumping is less likely to go dry than a shallow, water table well. Learn more: Groundwater Wells.

What happens to unused wells?

However, an unused, unsealed well can provide an open channel between the surface and an aquifer - or between a shallow aquifer and a deeper aquifer. An unused well can act as a drain - allowing surface water runoff, contaminated water, or improperly disposed waste to reach an uncontaminated aquifer.

How long to run water after shut off well?

Turn on each kitchen or bathroom tap, one at a time, and run each for 10 minutes or more.

What happens when you shut in a well?

To shut in a well means to make it not produce, so we'll start with a primer on production. When a well is “producing” it means the well has been drilled, completed in a reservoir, and oil and/or gas is somehow moving up the wellbore and to the surface facility.

How long can a well pump run before it burns up?

Starter borehole pumps can run for up to 24 hours. However, your everyday borehole pump will run between 6 & 8 hours.

Is shutting off the water valve good?

Yes, that includes weekend breaks. It's the best way to avoid serious water damage in the event of a plumbing failure.

Do well pumps automatically shut off?

If the water pressure is too high, the pump turns off. This process of turning on and off is called cycling. Unfortunately, cycling can be very destructive to a well pump because it shortens the life of the motor and puts excessive wear on the control components.

Why did my water shut off with a well?

Most often, it's because something is wrong with the well pump. While the average life span of a well pump is 12 to 18 years, it has many components that could fail and cause the well to stop delivering water to your home.

Where is my main water shut off if I have a well?

If you get water from a well, the shut-off valve will be near your pressure tank. In both cases, there is usually a secondary valve in the utility area of your home, near where the water line enters your house.

What happens if you run out of water in your well?

When a well “runs dry” it doesn't mean that the well will never produce water again. Aquifers can recharge through a combination of more precipitation and less pumps pulling water out of that aquifer. Sometimes wells can run dry permanently, but that is quite uncommon.

Can I run a sprinkler off a well?

Overall, well water can be a great option for irrigation, but there are a few potential drawbacks to consider before making the switch. Because it is free and available in most areas, using well water for irrigation may be a tempting solution that can also help conserve municipal water sources.

Can you turn off well water?

If you have a private well, you may have two valves to turn off. Check near your well's pump and then near the pressure tank. Turn both (or just the one if there's only one) clockwise to turn the water off.

How long can a well be shut-in?

Many shut-in clauses contain no time limitation and arguably allow the lessee to maintain the shut-in status indefinitely. At some point, after a well has been shut-in for several years, the marketing covenant will be impacted and the lessee will be required to explain and justify the prolonged shut-in status.

What will ruin a well?

Natural Salts and Minerals. It should go without saying that, because well water comes from underground supplies, it is rich in many different minerals, including natural salts, calcium, iron and other minerals that will build up on the system. As minerals and salts build up, they obstruct the entire system gradually.

Should faucets be open when turning water back on a well?

Turning the Water Back on After Shut-off

You should turn the water back on slowly. Open one or two faucets before turning the water back on, then incrementally restore water until you see it freely flowing out of the open fixture.

How long does it take a house well to refill?

At five gallons per minute, the ideal well produces 600 gallons of water in two hours. Since the typical American household uses 300 gallons per day, that's more than enough to meet normal demand plus a reserve for irrigating the lawn or filling a swimming pool.

How long to flush pipes after water shut off?

Immediately after water service was restored to your home, the service provider should have flushed cold water from an outdoor hose bib or basement utility sink for 30 minutes. BEFORE YOU START 1. Always use COLD water when you rinse the pipes.

Does a well go bad if not used?

Regular use and maintenance may be enough for the problem to resolve itself in some cases. However, in an unused well, the bacteria have time to reproduce and develop themselves as a colony. This can cause damage to the well casing, plumbing, and even the well pump.

How much does it cost to fill in an old well?

Plugging typically costs $300 to $1,200, depending upon the type and depth of the well and whether a contractor is involved.

How do you close an old well on your property?

The process starts with removal of the pump, the inner pipe to the pump and any material or obstructions in the well. A grout pipe is installed to the bottom of the well's borehole. The grout is pumped to fill the well from the bottom up. The grout usually consists of a special cement, clay or bentonite.

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