Setting a well pump at the wrong depth causes dry running, sand pumping, or inadequate pressure. Here is exactly how to determine the correct pump setting depth.
A submersible well pump should be positioned:
💡 Example: 200-foot well, static water level at 50 feet, pumping water level estimated at 80 feet. Pump should be set between 90 feet (10 feet below pumping level) and 180 feet (20 feet above bottom). Middle of that range — around 120-140 feet — is typical.
The depth to water in the well when the pump is not running. This is measured from the top of the well casing. A well with a static water level of 60 feet has water starting at 60 feet down.
How far the water level drops while the pump is running at full capacity. A well with a static level of 60 feet might drop to 100 feet during heavy pumping. The pump must remain submerged at this lower level.
How fast the well recovers — measured in gallons per minute. A low-yield well (1-3 GPM) drops its water level more dramatically during pumping than a high-yield well (10+ GPM). Low-yield wells need pumps set deeper to stay submerged during drawdown.
Your original well driller report contains the total well depth, static water level, and well yield measured at the time of drilling. If you don't have this document, check with your county health department — most states require well completion reports to be filed. A well contractor can also measure current water levels with a simple water level meter.
Pump depth may need adjustment if: the well water level has declined over years, the pump is pumping sand (set too deep), the pump runs dry during peak use (set too shallow), or a new pump with a different length is being installed.
Yes, especially if your static water level has dropped seasonally or after a drought. A pump set too high above a falling water table will lose suction and run dry intermittently, which shows up as weak or fluctuating pressure even though the pump itself is healthy. Checking your well's current water level is one of the first diagnostic steps.
Most installers set the pump at least 10 feet above the well bottom to keep it clear of sediment, and at least 10–20 feet below the lowest expected pumping water level to avoid drawing air. Your well log's pumping water level reading is the number that actually matters here, not the total well depth.
Check the well completion report filed with your state or county at the time of drilling — it lists static water level, pumping level, and yield. If you don't have it, a well contractor can measure current levels with a sounding tape, which also reveals whether your levels have shifted since installation.
Yes. Too deep wastes pumping head (the motor works harder to push water further), can position the pump in sediment at the well bottom, and makes future service pulls more difficult and expensive. Deeper isn't automatically safer — it should be set based on your actual water level data, not guesswork.
Adjusting submersible pump depth means pulling the pump assembly, which requires the right equipment and is not a casual DIY task for most homeowners. If your diagnosis points to a depth issue, a licensed well contractor can re-set it safely in the same visit as other well service.
An undersized tank causes low pressure, short cycling, and early pump failure. Check yours free in 2 minutes.
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