Losing power can mean losing water when your home relies on a well. Without electricity, the well pump will stop running, making it impossible to distribute water to the home. While this issue can be alarming—especially when long-lasting outages occur—there are many ways that you can stay prepared and keep the tap running. To help you stay safe and have reliable access to the resources you need, here are a few back-up solutions that can keep well water flowing when the power is out.

3 Ways to Keep Well Water Running During a Power Outage

1. Connect a Storage Tank

Pressure tanks may empty quickly when power is lost, leaving your home without enough resources during an outage.

You can avoid this challenge by installing a secondary retention tank. With tanks available in many sizes, it’s important to choose one that can sustain your family’s minimum water usage rates for a few days.

Since retention tanks are connected to the pressurized system, fresh well water will continue flowing through at all times to prevent stagnation.  

2. Install a Backup Generator

Backup generators use fuel—such as gas or propane—to create usable electricity for devices. Depending on your specific concerns and budget, you can opt to install a smaller generator to support only the well pump. However, investing in a whole-home backup generator can help supply power to the pump, as well as many other essential resources—such as your heating system and lighting.  

Check the generator at least once a season to make sure it’s clean and operating correctly. It’s also a good idea to keep an adequate supply of fuel on your property so that you always have something to keep the generator running.

3. Use a Hand Pump

While it may seem outdated, hand pumps are still an option for well owners. There are several manual devices today that are made with industrial materials to improve durability and ease-of-operation.

Hand pumps are usually fitted to the well and feature a handlebar that uses leverage to bring water up toward the pressure tank.  Although some labor will be involved to get the pump working, these devices can provide peace of mind if a retention tank has run dry or a generator has run out of fuel.

Whether you need to establish a private water supply or address issues with an existing well, Hewitt-Messenger Well Drilling & Pump Service can handle the job. Based in Nixa, MO, this contractor is equipped to drill and service well systems throughout southwest Missouri. If you have concerns about your well pump, this team will swiftly repair it or install efficient replacements to keep the water running. They can also assist with backup retention tanks, UV disinfection, and purification systems to ensure you have reliable access to clean water. Visit this local business online to learn more about their capabilities, or call (417) 725-8816 to schedule service.