Non-Intrusive Evaluation

The quantity of water needed in the house varies widely, particularly with the number of occupants. The most demanding time for water is in the morning, prior to the business day.  It is assumed that each occupant of the property may flush the toilet twice, using 1 to 5 gallons per flush, depending on their toilets.  Each occupant of the property may typically take a shower, requiring 20 to 25 gallons of water.  A load of wash may be done, which may require approximately 35 to 40 gallons.  And a load of dishes may be washed, which may require approximately 15 gallons of water.  Therefore, prior to leaving the house on a business day, the average family of 5 may use 300 and 350 gallons of water.  This is the amount of water that we attempt to draw from the well within about 2 hours. The totals for the day may typically average 350 to 500+ gallons, depending on cooking and eating habits, the number of people and the amount of time that is spent in the home.

To measure quantity of water, you must determine that enough water is coming from the well within 30 minutes. Note: This is subject to all the variables outlined above, and should only be considered as an indicator. The water requirement could be 4 to 8 gallons per minute, depending on the municipality. If the amount of water coming from the well is not adequate, it may be necessary to install a cistern or an additional storage/pressure tank. Some authorities may not allow you to run large amounts of water for extended periods of time because there may be some situations where you could draw down the well and/or overload an on-site waste system.