Low Yield Well Solutions
Running Out of Water? We Can Fix That.
Storage tank systems, booster pumps, pump repositioning, and constant pressure upgrades for Southern Maryland homes with low yield wells. Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland has solved low yield well problems throughout Calvert, Anne Arundel, and Charles County.
Signs Your Well Has Low Yield
These symptoms point to a well that can't keep up with your household's demand.
Low Yield Well Solutions
Storage Tank Systems
A large storage tank (500–2,000 gallons) fills slowly from the well overnight and provides a reserve for peak demand. A booster pump delivers water from the tank to the home at full pressure.
Pump Repositioning
If the well has adequate water at a deeper level, repositioning the pump lower in the well can access more water. This is often the simplest solution for wells with adequate depth.
Constant Pressure Systems
A variable frequency drive (VFD) controller runs the pump at a lower speed that matches the well's recovery rate — reducing the risk of running dry while maintaining consistent pressure.
Pump Saver Protection
A Pump Saver monitors amp draw and shuts off the pump if it runs dry — protecting the motor from burnout while the well recovers.
Well Yield Testing
We perform a well yield test to measure the actual recovery rate of your well — the foundation of any low-yield solution.
Recent Job — Lusby, MD
In Lusby, we helped a family whose well was running dry every summer. The well had a recovery rate of about 0.3 GPM — enough to supply the home overnight, but not enough to keep up with morning showers, laundry, and irrigation running simultaneously.
We installed a 1,500-gallon fiberglass storage tank in the basement, a booster pump to deliver water from the tank to the home at full pressure, and a Pump Saver on the well pump to protect it from running dry. The well fills the tank slowly overnight, and the tank provides all the water the family needs during the day.
They haven't run out of water since. The system has been running reliably for two years, and the Pump Saver has protected the well pump from the dry-running damage that destroyed their previous pump.
Low Yield Well FAQs
What is a low yield well?
A low yield well is one that cannot produce water fast enough to meet household demand. The standard threshold is 1 gallon per minute (GPM) — wells below this are considered low yield. However, even wells producing 1–3 GPM can struggle to meet the peak demand of a modern household with multiple bathrooms, irrigation, and appliances running simultaneously. The average household needs 75–100 gallons per person per day.
What causes a well to have low yield?
Low yield can be caused by geological limitations (the aquifer simply doesn't produce much water in that location), drought and seasonal water table drops, an aging well that has become partially clogged with sediment or mineral deposits, or a pump that is positioned too high in the well and not accessing the full water column. In Southern Maryland, summer droughts are a common cause of seasonal low yield.
Can a low yield well be fixed?
In most cases, yes — though the solution depends on the cause. If the well has adequate water at a deeper level, repositioning the pump can help. If the well's recovery rate is simply slow, a storage tank system is the most reliable solution. If the well is partially clogged, well rehabilitation (cleaning and redevelopment) may improve yield. We evaluate each situation individually before recommending a solution.
What is a storage tank system?
A storage tank system uses a large tank (typically 500–2,000 gallons) that fills slowly from the well — usually overnight when demand is low. A separate booster pump delivers water from the tank to the home at full pressure. This decouples the well's recovery rate from the household's demand, so you can use water at normal rates even if the well only produces 0.5 GPM. We installed a 1,500-gallon storage tank system in Lusby for a family whose well was running dry every summer — they haven't run out of water since.
How much water does a household need?
The average household uses 75–100 gallons per person per day. A family of four needs 300–400 gallons per day. Peak demand — when multiple showers, the dishwasher, and the washing machine run simultaneously — can reach 10–15 GPM for short periods. A well producing 1 GPM can supply 1,440 gallons per day if it runs continuously, which is enough for most families — but only if the household's peak demand doesn't exceed the well's instantaneous output.
Is my well going dry?
If you're running out of water during peak use periods — especially in summer — your well may be struggling with low yield rather than actually going dry. A true dry well has no water at all; a low yield well has water but can't produce it fast enough. We perform a well yield test to measure the actual recovery rate and determine the best solution.
What is a Pump Saver and do I need one?
A Pump Saver is a motor protection device that monitors the pump's amp draw and shuts it off if it runs dry. Running a pump dry — even for a few minutes — can destroy the motor. For low yield wells, a Pump Saver is essential protection. It allows the well to recover and then automatically restarts the pump. We install Pump Savers on virtually every low yield well system we service.
How long does a storage tank system installation take?
A storage tank system installation typically takes one to two days depending on the tank size and location. We install the tank, booster pump, controls, and all associated plumbing. Water service is restored the same day in most cases.
Well Water Learning Center
Guides written by our team for Southern Maryland well water homeowners.
Running Out of Water?
Call Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland for a free low yield well evaluation. We serve all of Calvert, Anne Arundel, and Charles County.