The Standard Pressure residential water well system looks similar to the diagram to the right. The submersible pump pushes water up through the drop pipe to the surface. The check valve keeps water from flowing back into the well. The pressure switch turns the pump on when the pressure drops and off when the pressure builds up. This happens over a 20 psi range. The pressure is stored in the pressure tank – typically 84 or 116 gallons. If the system builds too much pressure, the relief valve will release the excess pressure to prevent the pump from being damaged. If the well produces less water than your water demand over a period of time and the well temporarily runs dry, a PumpSaver device will shut off the pump to protect the pump from overheating (and potentially weakening the casing and causing it to collapse).

This has been the tried and true system for generations. It works in almost every situation. But it does have some drawbacks.

If your well produces less water than your demand at any given moment, the PumpSaver will protect the system from damage… but you are still temporarily out of water. Or when the pump finally wears out and needs replaced, you are left without water until the pump can be replaced. In these situations, it is beneficial to have a storage tank system with your well.