09/08/2026
WATER WELL EFFICIENCY - IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN THE PUMP - Thoughts from Shawn Fisher, Co-President of National Water Services - “The Well & Pump Guy”
After spending years around water wells and pumping systems, one thing I’ve learned is that efficiency isn’t about any single piece of equipment. You have to look at the complete system. When I look at a well with increasing electrical costs, longer run times, declining production, or recurring pump problems, I don’t automatically assume the pump is the problem. The well itself may be costing you money.
As a well ages, mineral buildup, biological fouling, screen and gravel-pack plugging, and changes within the formation can reduce specific capacity. When that happens, the pump has to overcome additional drawdown to produce the same amount of water. More head, longer run times, and reduced production can all translate directly into higher operating costs.
Then we need to look at the pumping equipment. Is the pump operating where it should be on the curve? Is it near its best efficiency point? Is the motor properly sized and operating efficiently? Could a different pump selection, motor, or operating strategy reduce the amount of energy required to put the same or more water into the system?
That’s why I believe you have to evaluate the well and pumping equipment together.
At National Water Services, we can perform field testing and inspections to establish how your system is actually performing today. Our team can review:
* Current flow, pumping level, drawdown, and specific capacity
* Historical well data to identify performance decline
* Pump curves and the actual operating point
* Pump and motor efficiency
* Electrical consumption and run time
* Well rehabilitation opportunities
* Pump repair, modification, or replacement options
* Potential energy and operating-cost savings
The goal isn’t simply to sell someone a new pump or recommend a well rehabilitation. The goal is to determine where you’re losing efficiency and develop a plan that makes financial and operational sense.
If you haven’t evaluated your wells in a while, let NWS establish a baseline and compare it with where they were originally. The numbers can tell us a lot.
Better Flow. Less Downtime. Lower Costs.
Shawn Fisher
Co-President | National Water Services, LLC
"The Well & Pump Guy"
www.national-water.com