Relying on well water as your home’s water source is usually a blessing: the water is fresh and tastes delicious. However, if the electricity goes out, you have to proceed with caution. Here is a look at the answers to the most common questions we get about Connecticut private wells and power outages.
If power goes out do you still get water?
Submersible pumps rely on electricity to work, so if your home loses electricity, you will not be able to get more water. You will only have access to the amount of water that you have stored in your tank. If you want to make sure you have enough, an average family of four requires 120 gallons of water every day just to be able to have drinking water and to manually flush toilets.
What is the best way to get water if the power goes out?
Without electricity, you can still use a manual hand pump for well water in CT. These would need to be installed by us prior to a power outage. While they are a lot of work, and not ideal for everyday use, a manual hand pump is a lifesaver in an emergency.
If the electricity goes out, how long is the water good for?
In most situations, the water will not go bad during a short power outage. It is very rare that a power outage lasts more than three days. However, the caveat to that is if there is a flood as part of the storm that causes the power outage. Floodwater can get into your private well and contaminate the water. A good rule of thumb to follow is to let your tap water run for several minutes after the power comes back on. Make sure the water is clear and doesn’t have any signs of contamination, such as an odor or discoloration.
What precautions should I take during a power outage?
Since your well pump is submerged in water, there are a few precautions you should follow during a power outage. These include turning off the breaker switch to make sure there isn’t an electrical surge and turning off the main valve to the house to ensure you don’t accidentally drain the tank of all its water (which can cause a lot of damage).
Will toilets flush during a power outage?
As mentioned, you will want to turn off the main valve during a power outage, which means no water will be able to come into your home. However, if you are proactive and have extra water on hand, you can manually flush the toilets by simply dumping buckets of water into them. You can either have an emergency stash of water in individual containers, or, if you know a storm is coming, you can fill up the bathtub so you have water easily accessible to flush the toilets.
What do I need to do to prepare for a power outage?
In addition to having a manual hand pump installed, and keeping an emergency water supply on hand, it is also a good idea to have a back-up power source available. Even a small generator (gas or diesel will work) can keep your well pump in Connecticut running during most power outages.
If my well pump doesn’t work, could there be another reason besides the power going out?
Yes, a power outage is one of the main reasons a well pump will stop working; however, it could also mean that you need a new well pump. There are several troubleshooting tips you can follow to try to figure out what is going on, or you can just call in the experts (us!) so there are no guesses.
When the power goes out, it is important to take the proper precautions to keep your well pump in good working order. And should you ever have any questions or concerns, it is always better to call us so you don’t risk extensive damage.