Well Components

Groundwater wells may seem simple, but there are a variety of useful components that can help well owners protect their investment and optimize performance of their system.

Well component	What does It do?	How does It work?	Do you have one?
Pump Protector	It protects submersible pumps from burning out due to low yield or low water levels.	It monitors the pump’s electrical current and automatically trips a switch to turn off the pump if it runs too long.	These are recommended for all wells, especially shallow wells or wells with known supply issues.
Pressure Tank	It provides pressure for household or irrigation use.  Sizes range from 10-200 gallons; average size is 44 gallons.	It maintains a constant water pressure and turns the pump on once a set volume is used.  For example, a 44 gallon tank has a drawdown of 16 gallons.	Most well systems have one.  Most commonly they are small, blue metal tanks.  They are often confused with a storage tank, but they are much smaller.
Storage Tank	It stores water for peak household or irrigation demand and allows the pump to gradually fill tank.  Sizes range from 2,500-6,000 gallons.	A float switch triggers pump once the water in the tank gets below the set level.  Storage tanks reduce stress on the pump.	Storage tanks are especially useful for wells in drought-prone aquifers or in formations with low yield.  They also can be filled by external supplies in emergencies.
Water Softener	Water softeners are a common treatment system for “hard” water that reduces the amount of calcium in the water.	It uses a chemical reaction to substitute calcium ions for either sodium or potassium ions (not as likely to leave deposits in pipes).  Often there is a charcoal filter incorporated as pretreatment.	Water softeners (even those with charcoal filters) do not remove harmful bacteria or nitrates and do not reduce total dissolved solids.
UV Light System	UV light systems neutralize harmful bacteria without changing the taste of the source water.	Water passes through pre-filters to remove particles that would create shadows where bacteria could hide then it goes through a light tube where the UV rays neutralize the remaining bacteria.	The UV light bulb should be replaced annually to maintain effective treatment.  Pre-filters will need to be cleaned/replaced throughout the year.
Chlorinator	Chlorine water treatment methods work to eliminate odor issues and disease causing bacteria.	Injected chlorine kills harmful bacteria and oxidizes constituents such as iron and manganese. Usually comes in liquid or pellet forms.	Often paired with filtration. Consult with your professional installer to ensure proper treatment through dosage and equipment functionality.

Visit the Texas Well Owner Network Factsheets page for more details on specific water quality treatment options.