Well Water Yield Calculator
Calculate daily water availability from your well. Determine if your well can sustain your household usage and if storage is needed.
Inputs
ft
ft
GPM
GPM
gal/day
Results
Daily Yield
4,320 gal
≈ 11 hot tubs
Surplus/Deficit
4,020 gal/day
Storage Buffer Needed0 gal
Pump Run Time1 hrs/day
Sustainable Rate3 GPM
Water Column Feet$150.00
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Well Depth (ft) and Static Water Level (ft below surface) from your well driller's report or well tag.
- Input Pump Rate (GPM) from the pump nameplate and Recovery Rate (GPM) from your well yield test.
- Set Daily Usage (gallons) based on household consumption (80–100 gal/person/day plus livestock and irrigation).
- Review Daily Yield (gal) — if less than Daily Usage, you need a storage buffer or demand reduction.
- Check Storage Buffer Needed (gal) to size a holding tank that bridges the pump recovery gap during peak demand.
- Use Sustainable Rate (GPM) and Surplus/Deficit (gal/day) to decide whether the well is adequate or requires deepening.
How the result changes with Recovery Rate
| Recovery Rate | Daily Yield | Surplus/Deficit |
|---|---|---|
| 5.09 | 7,330 gal | 7,030 gal/day |
| 18 | 25,920 gal | 25,620 gal/day |
| 33 | 47,520 gal | 47,220 gal/day |
| 45 | 64,800 gal | 64,500 gal/day |
What each input means
- Well Depth
- Total depth of the well.
- Static Water Level
- Depth to water surface when pump is off.
- Pump Rate
- Flow rate of your well pump in gallons per minute.
- Recovery Rate
- Rate at which the well refills after pumping (from well test).
- Daily Usage
- Estimated daily water usage (average household: 200-400 gal/day).
What each result means
- Daily Yield
- Maximum daily water production.
- Storage Buffer Needed
- Additional storage tank capacity for peak demand.
- Pump Run Time
- Hours the pump runs daily to meet demand.
- Sustainable Rate
- Continuous flow rate without depleting the well.
- Surplus/Deficit
- Positive means adequate supply; negative means shortage.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersWell Depth = 200, Static Water Level = 50, Pump Rate = 5, Recovery Rate = 3 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Daily YieldDaily Yield4320 = 4320
- Calculate Surplus/DeficitSurplus/Deficit4020 = 4020
- Calculate Storage Buffer NeededStorage Buffer Needed0 = 0
- Calculate Pump Run TimePump Run Time1 = 1
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