Polyethylene Well Pipe

Choosing Well Pipe

When installing a submersible pump it is important to select pipe that has a pressure rating that matches or exceeds the working pressure that will exist in the well.

Working Pressure

Two factors are used to determine Working Pressure:

Number of feet from the pressure tank to the pumping water level
(One Foot of Water Depth = 0.433 PSI)
The setting of the tank pressure switch (in PSIG)

The following formula will provide the Working Pressure:

(Depth × 0.433) + (switch setting) = Working Pressure

Example Calculation

If the pumping level is 330 ft. and the Pressure Switch is set at 50 PSIG the formula will be:

(330 × 0.433) + 50 = 192.9 PSI

A pipe with a rating of 200 PSI or greater is needed. Use of pipe with a lower pressure rating may result in pipe failure.

Please Note: If the pumping level used to calculate pipe requirements for a well is substantially above the bottom and the pumping level drops due to drought or other conditions, the pressure rating of the pipe could be exceeded.

Disclaimer: Due to supply variations, in rare instances, we may ship black pipe instead of blue.