Frequently Asked Questions

Thomas G. Keyes Inc. is fully licensed by Chester and Delaware Counties. All construction will meet County Health Department Standards.

The process of constructing a well involves the following steps:

1. Borehole Drilling: A 10-inch diameter borehole is drilled a minimum of 20 feet into the ground and 5 feet into suitable bedrock.
2. Casing Installation: A 6-inch well casing is set directly into bedrock and left at least 1 foot above ground level.
3. Sealing: The space between the casing and the borehole is sealed with a bentonite grout mix to prevent surface water from entering the well.
4. Water Production: A 6-inch diameter borehole is drilled through the casing into bedrock until an adequate water supply is produced.
5. Flushing: The well is pumped to flush out any debris caused by the drilling process.
6. Temporary Cap: Before leaving the site, a temporary well cap is installed until a permanent cap can be placed during the pump installation.

Thomas G. Keyes Inc. offers three options for residential well casing:

• 6-inch x .250-inch Steel Casing: The most common type used in most drilling conditions. It is durable but may be susceptible to corrosion over time.
• 6.25-inch PVC Casing: An affordable option that is corrosion-resistant but may crack or break if impacted. Installation conditions may not always allow for PVC casing.
• 6-inch Standard Weight Steel Casing: Used for commercial or DEP-regulated wells. All wells in Montgomery County must use standard weight steel casing for new well construction.

A “good” well meets the combined storage and yield (production) required to meet the owner’s demands.

• Storage Calculation: To determine well storage, subtract the static water level from the pump setting. There are approximately 1.33 gallons of water per foot of a 6-inch well. Use the formula:

          (Pump Setting−Static Level)×1.33=Total Storage Gallons

  For example, with a 300-ft drilled well and a 35-ft static water level, setting the pump at 280 feet yields 325.85 usable gallons of water.

• Yield: The recharge rate of the well, typically measured in gallons per minute (gpm), indicates how much water the well can naturally produce. Chester and Delaware County require wells to yield a minimum of 1 gpm. Wells producing less than 2 gpm must have at least 400 gallons of storage reserve.

Your well’s yield and storage capacity must meet your specific needs—whether it’s for a basic two-bathroom house or for larger properties with irrigation.

A well water pumping system consists of:

1. Submersible Pump: Typically set 20 feet off the bottom of the well.
2. Pressure Tank: Properly sized to ensure proper pump cycle time.
3. Controls: Manage the pump’s operation.

Thomas G. Keyes Inc. proudly offers Goulds Submersible Pumps and Well Rite Tanks.

Types of Systems:

• Conventional System: Uses a pressure switch to turn the pump on at a preset pressure (usually 40 psi) and runs until it reaches the off pressure (usually 60 psi).
• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) System: Provides consistent pressure by adjusting the pump speed to match water demand. This system eliminates pressure fluctuations, providing constant pressure, and includes advanced protection features.

Residential well pumps range from 5 gpm to 25 gpm. Choose a pump based on your water needs:

• 5 gpm: Best for deep wells with low production.
• 7 gpm: Common for homes with 3-4 bathrooms.
• 10 gpm: Suitable for larger homes (4-6 bathrooms) or higher water needs.
• 13-25 gpm: Ideal for homes with over 6 bathrooms, high flow demands, or irrigation needs.

To comply with Chester County Health Department regulations, all new wells must be sanitized with chlorine to kill bacteria that may have been introduced during installation. The chlorinated water is run through all plumbing fixtures to ensure they are disinfected. The chlorine should remain in the system for at least 12 hours before the flushing process begins. Afterward, water samples are tested to ensure safety.

To ensure your water is safe, it’s recommended to have it tested. After drilling and pump installation, Thomas G. Keyes Inc. sends samples to a certified lab for analysis. Based on the results, we’ll either seek approval from the county or provide recommendations for filtration equipment. We offer a range of water filtration systems, from basic sediment filters to multi-stage whole house systems.

Regular maintenance is essential for your water system’s efficiency and longevity:

• Basic Systems: Annual service checks, including pressure tank inspection and pump amperage checks.
• Filtration Systems: Requires more frequent maintenance, including annual water treatment services, sediment cartridge changes, and water softener salt replenishment.