The Well Jet Pump - Pros, Cons and Benefits

Humans have come a long way since the beginning of civilization. There have been innumerable discoveries over the years, all of which are geared towards making life easier. The advent of the well pump in particular has been a complete game-changer. Well pumps are widely used in literally all sectors of an economy: industrial applications, home uses, farming, mining, and many others. The well jet pump is widely used in delivering water and water pressure to small sprinkler systems, households, construction areas, and cottages. It comes in various Horsepower (HP) options each designed for different rates of pumping performance.

The well jet pump comes with a pressure switch that is used for automatically turning on and off the pump. The nozzle and venture pair with the venturi creating the pressure differential and the nozzle blowing water through the venture. Both are basically the reason why the pump is referred to as a jet pump.

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Types of Well Jet Pumps

Well jet pumps have been broadly categorized into three types:

1. Shallow Well Jet Pump

The shallow well jet pump does an excellent job in pulling water from a maximum of 25 feet (depth to water) depth depending on the area in question. For higher altitudes the depth will be lower and for mountain areas it may manage up to 18 or 20 feet (depth to water). The shallow well jet pump is used where the pump is positioned above the source of water. It ideally uses a single suction which draws the water from its source, whether a well or surface water. Click here for more information on shallow well jet pumps.

2. Deep Well Jet Pump

Just like the shallow well jet pump, the deep well jet pump is used where the pump is located above the source of water. It has the capability of pumping water from depths of 25 feet to 110 feet (depth to water). The capability of the pump will be determined by the model and horsepower. Click here for more information on deep well jet pumps.

3. Convertible Well Jet Pump

The convertible well jet pump is tailored for the deep well by fitting the pump with a jet assembly. It is used in instances where the pump is located above the source of water. It is capable of drawing from levels of up to 110 feet depth to water. Its two pipes on the suction side are used to draw water from the well. The jet assembly forces the water from the water source up the pipes. As its name suggests, it can be converted to a shallow well jet pump by simply attaching the jet assembly to one suction pipe. This will draw water within a depth to water level of 25 feet or less. Click here for more information on convertible jet pumps.

Benefits of Well Jet Pump

Well jet pumps are highly versatile and serve a wide number of applications. A typical jet pump can either be mounted horizontally or vertically into the process media. Some of the benefits of using well jet pumps include the following;

Hot water and Heating – did you know that a high number of heating systems rely on water pumps? Well that’s right. Most radiators rely on circulating pumps that move the hot water through the piping system. Well jet pumps are used to provide hot water to household taps.
Delivering water to your home – well jet pumps are not only used for circulating water around household pipes, they are also essential in delivering water from the source to your home. The well jet system plays and important role of keeping the water moving and ensuring that the life-giving water reaches your home.
Gardening – the garden irrigation system and sprinklers rely on well jet pumps for the water to reach your garden. It ensures the water is delivered within the require pressure and the right quantity. Those who are passionate about gardening benefit immensely with the use of a well jet pump.
Irrigation -those who own land and would like to irrigate and keep it green and healthy cannot do without a well jet pump. They are ideal for lands that are mid-sized or a few acres. A number of well jet pumps can be used to supply water from sources such as a lake or reservoir to the land.
Wells and boreholes pumping – those who have a borehole or a deep well can use a jet well pump. It helps get the water from underground to your home. The submersible jet well pump is particularly the ideal one for this job. They are pump water efficiently from great depths without taking a lot of power.
Unwanted water – those who would like to remove unwanted pond or water body can use a well jet pump. You can drain the water quickly and effortlessly by using a submersible well jet pump. You can also use these pumps to remove flooded water in basements and other areas prone to flooding.

Pros and Cons of the Well Jet Pump

Shallow Well Jet Pump

Pros

You can offset from the well.
Easily adaptable to wells of varying yields.
Requires the least maintenance.
The cheapest.

Cons

Its efficiency reduces as the total suction lift increase.
Gets damaged easily by sand.
It gas locks often.

Deep Well Jet Pump

Pros

Offsets from the well just as shallow jet pump.
Adaptable to different depths.
Inexpensive.
Least maintenance required.

Cons

Its efficiency declines as total suction lift increases.
Sand damages it easily.
Easily locked by gas.

Submersible Well Jet Pump

Pros

Highly efficient. Not limited by depth.
It has a high capacity.
It has the capability of pumping water from greater depths.
Requires least maintenance.
Inexpensive.

Cons

Prone to damage by sand.
Experiences gas locks occasionally.

Depth-to-Water Defined

It is quite easy to determine your depth-to-water. You need to access the top of your well then drop into the well a fishing line that has a weight and a bobber at is bottom. Lower the line into the well until you no longer feel the weight on the fishing line. That means the weight is floating. You can then measure the length of the line dropped into the well. That is ideally what depth-to-water refers to. You can then add what you get the distance your pump is located with respect to the top of your well.

Depth-to water may change from time to time since drought conditions affect the water level. Periods of excess rain will also affect the depth-to-water. Another factor that affects the depth-to-water is the ground itself. A ground that is low-producing will not manage to level out with the speed at which the pump is drawing away the water from the well. The water level in such a case will drop tremendously. Another scenario that occurs is an instance where you are using a shallow well jet pump and the water has dropped for than 25 feet. The pump will fail to draw the water out of the well.

Applications of Well Jet Pumps

The well jet pump is widely used across different sectors. It is used for pumping water from household wells, open water sources, or driven point systems. They usually work hand-in-hand with standard or pre-charged pressure tanks.

All jet pumps come pre-fitted with a device referred to as a pressure switch. This device turns the pump on and off and the pressure range will show when the pump turns on or off.

Fit a Well Jet Pump to a Sprinkler System

A well jet pump is designed to serve innumerable purposes. It can be used to pull water from a river, well, or even lake to a sprinkler system. Small sprinkler systems in particular work best with well jet pumps. The pump chosen for the sprinkler should be compatible with the sprinkler system. In simple words, the amount required by the sprinkler should be equal to the amount of water drawn by the pump.

Horsepower is another important factor that affects the pump’s capability. A pump that has a high horsepower pumps out more water and the vice versa is true. Different well jet pump models have different horsepower capabilities. If you want to use a well jet pump for household needs, for instance, a small house that has one bathroom and a few people, then a ½ HP pump will suffice. As for bigger houses with more water needs, a higher horsepower pump will do an excellent job.

Choosing a pump that has a higher horsepower can never be a bad idea but it comes with its own implications. A highly powered pump consumes more power and that means your electric bill becomes more. You also have to get a bigger pressure tank so as to eliminate problems associated with rapid cycling. Frequent cycling has a detrimental effect to your pump. The motor requires sufficient time to cool off but if it is not afforded the required time, its life expectancy drops tremendously.

A Final Word

The well jet pump can be used for many purposes and it comes in different models, sizes, and capabilities. An understanding of what it entails will be of great benefit when making a purchase. You will also avoid being duped if you intend to hire a professional to buy it on your behalf.