Abstract:
A system and method for operating a low-yield well. The method starts with a pressure transducer telling a control box that a storage tank is low on water. The controller then activates the well pump, the water then flows up a pipe past a pressure transducer showing the back pressure, through a regulator and into the storage tank. The controller is constantly monitoring the tank level and the back-pressure level to indicate when to turn off the well to either stop from over filling the storage tank, or over pumping the well. The controller makes adjustments dependent on the back pressure (which indicates the level of water left in the well) and determines how long to withdraw water and how long to wait until the water can be withdrawn again. The system prevents pumping the well dry, and keeps the pump and well in good operating condition.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/029,692, filed 28 Jul. 2014, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to water well production. More particularly, the present invention relates to low-yield water wells. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A typical water well is a hollow shaft bored into the ground lined with a casing that has penetrations at the level of the water-bearing strata of the ground. The penetrations allow water to flow into the shaft that may then be pumped out of the shaft. However, in some wells the water does not enter the shaft at a rate (the re-fill rate) sufficient for the peak usage needed by their users. When the rate at which water is extracted from the well shaft exceeds the rate at which water enters the shaft from the strata, the water level in the shaft will get lower and lower. Eventually, the water level may drop to the bottom of the shaft and the well is said to have “dried up”, at least temporarily. Running a well dry or nearly dry can damage the pump, which typically is designed to have water for cooling and lubrication. Running a well dry or nearly dry can be bad for the well in other ways. When the water level in the shaft is below the water table level in the adjacent strata, sediment is more likely to enter the shaft. The action of continual over pumping can result in deterioration of water production over time. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a system and method to effectively use a well for which the usage rate often exceeds the re-fill rate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    By using an engineered control and monitoring strategy, a low-yield well optimizing system is able to provide owners of low-yield water wells with increased production of their existing water supply. This system and method can be implemented without substantial modification to the existing low-yield well. This system is engineered for wells that are not producing enough water on demand and are being pumped dry during peak usage times. The system can pump off and on 24 hours a day to claim all the water production as it is available from the low-yield well, and then send it to the house as needed to cover peak usage. The use of pressure transducers gives an ability to change input levels and data to our program. For example this can give a family the ability to live on a ¼ of a gallon of water per minute, or add a fire sprinkler system from an existing well without the cost and risk of drilling a new well. 
         [0006]    The method starts with a pressure transducer telling a control box that a storage tank(s) is/are low on water. The controller then activates the well pump(s), the water then flows up a pipe past a pressure transducer showing the back pressure, through a regulator and into the storage tank(s). The controller is constantly monitoring the tank(s) level(s) and the back-pressure level to indicate when to turn off the well to either stop from over filling the storage tank, or over pumping the well. This is the point where the “intelligent” controller makes adjustments dependent on the back pressure (which indicates the level of water left in the well) and determines how long to withdraw water and how long to wait until the water can be withdrawn again. This will vary depending on the need for the water in tanks and the availability of water in well. The system is designed to prevent pumping the well dry, and keep the pump and well in good operating condition. If the water in the well gets to low, the controller will shut down the pump and wait a specified amount of time to restart the pumping process. At the same time, the system is monitoring the pressure of the water to the end user and running the booster pump(s) as necessary to maintain the proper pressure, as long as there is a sufficient amount of water in the storage tank(s) to do so. If the water in the storage tank(s) is/are too low the booster pump(s) will wait until the minimum water level is reached to restart the booster pump(s). There is also a failsafe overflow cut off switch at the top of the storage tank(s) to stop any possibility of over filling due to any malfunction of system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present invention will be described by way of first embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
           [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  shows a first embodiment of a low-yield well pumping system with a single well and single storage tank. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  shows a second embodiment of a low-yield well pumping system with multiple wells and multiple storage tanks. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  shows a second embodiment of a low-yield well pumping system with multiple wells and a single storage tank. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart for an exemplary booster pump method. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart for an exemplary well pump method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in different figures. The figures associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy. 
         [0015]    In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application and business related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0016]    Use of directional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below”, “in front of,” “behind,” etc. are intended to describe the positions and/or orientations of various components of the invention relative to one another as shown in the various Figures and are not intended to impose limitations on any position and/or orientation of any embodiment of the invention relative to any reference point external to the reference. 
         [0017]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the first embodiment(s) without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single feature, function or property of the first embodiment(s) is essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
       First Embodiment of a Low-Yield Well Pumping System 
       [0018]      FIG. 1A  shows a first embodiment of a low-yield well pumping system  100 . The low-yield well pumping system  100  comprises a well  102 , a storage tank  104 , a pressure tank  106 , and a control panel  128 . The storage tank  104 , pressure tank  106  and control panel  128  are typically placed inside a building for protection from the environment, with water and electrical connections to the well  102  penetrating the building wall  134  and building floor  136 . 
         [0019]    The well  102  comprises a well shaft  142  sunk into the ground  138  to below the water table level  148 . The well shaft  142  is lined with a well casing  144  that has penetrations below the water table level  148  to allow water to flow into the well shaft  142  from the adjacent ground strata. The well  102  has a well pump  108  inside the well shaft  142 . Well pump wiring  130  connects the well pump  108  to the control panel  128  and provides power to the well pump  108 . Well output piping  112  connects the well pump  108  to the storage tank  104  and provides a channel for water to flow from the well pump  108  to the storage tank  104 . 
         [0020]    The well output piping  112  connects into the storage tank  104  near the top of the storage tank  104  so that the water level in the storage tank  104  does not affect the flow rate and back pressure in the well output piping  112 . The well output piping  112  has a well back pressure transducer  120  and a flow detector  125  in line. The flow detector  125  sends an electrical signal to the control panel  128  with information about whether a minimal level of flow is detected or not. The well back pressure transducer  120  sends an electrical signal to the control panel  128  with information about the pressure in the well output piping  112  at the well back pressure transducer  120 . The well output piping  112  has a flow regulator  124  in line and downstream from the well back pressure transducer  120 . The flow regulator  124  provides for a uniform flow rate in the well output piping  112  upstream of the flow regulator  124 , which insures that the pressure at the well back pressure transducer  120  does not change due to changes in flow rate. Without the flow regulator  124 , pressure in the well output piping  112  at the well back pressure transducer  120  would change due to changes in flow rate, even if the back pressure at the well pump  108  remained constant. 
         [0021]    The storage tank  104  has a storage tank level transducer  118  in the bottom of the storage tank  104 . The storage tank level transducer  118  sends an electrical signal to the control panel  128  with information about the pressure in the storage tank  104  at the storage tank level transducer  118 . The storage tank  104  is unpressurized, venting to the atmosphere directly by open communication. The pressure information sent by the storage tank level transducer  118  can be used by the control panel  128  to determine the level of water in the storage tank  104 . The storage tank  104  has an overflow safety switch  140  that when triggered, causes the control panel  128  to turn off the well pump  108 . Overflow safety switch  140  is a failsafe. Normally, information from the level transducer  118  is what the control panel  128  uses to tell the well pump  108  when to stop. 
         [0022]    The storage tank  104  has a first booster pump  110  located at or near the bottom of the storage tank  104 . The first booster pump  110  is positioned and configured to take in water from at or near the bottom of the storage tank  104 , increasing the pressure and sending out through storage tank output piping  114  to the pressure tank  106 . The first booster pump  110  is connected to the control panel  128  by booster pump wiring  132 , which provides power to the first booster pump  110 . 
         [0023]    The storage tank output piping  114  has a check valve  126  which is configured to allow water to flow from the storage tank  104  to the pressure tank  106 , but not back. This allows the pressure tank  106  to maintain a higher pressure than the storage tank  104 , even when the first booster pump  110  is not running. The storage tank output piping  114  has a pressure tank transducer  122  in line. The pressure tank transducer  122  is electrically connected to the control panel  128  and sends information regarding the pressure measured in the storage tank output piping  114  at the pressure tank transducer  122 . When the first booster pump  110  is not running and the check valve  126  is shut, the pressure at the pressure tank transducer  122  is the same as the pressure in the pressure tank  106 . When the first booster pump  110  is on, the pressure at the pressure tank transducer  122  is slightly higher than the pressure in the pressure tank  106 , but the difference is not significant if the length of storage tank output piping  114  between the pressure tank transducer  122  and the pressure tank  106  is relatively short. In some embodiments, the pressure tank transducer  122  could be place directly into the pressure tank  106 , but in most embodiments it is more convenient to put the pressure tank transducer  122  in the storage tank output piping  114  as close to the pressure tank  106  as is convenient. 
         [0024]    The pressure tank  106  has an internal air bladder configured for maintaining pressure on any water in the pressure tank  106 . The booster pump  110  pushes water into the pressure tank  106 , compressing the air in the bladder. After the booster pump  110  turns off, the air bladder maintains the pressure in the pressure tank  106 . A pressure tank output piping  116  connects to the pressure tank  106  and carries water to an end user. When valves downstream in the pressure tank output piping  116  are opened, the pressure exerted from the air bladder forces water out of the pressure tank  106  through the pressure tank output piping  116 . As the air bladder expands, the pressure in the pressure tank  106  drops. If the control panel  128  receives information from the pressure tank transducer  122  that pressure in the pressure tank  106  has decreased to below a first tank pressure value, the control panel  128  starts a booster pump. 
       Second Embodiment of a Low-Yield Well Pumping System 
       [0025]      FIG. 1B  shows a second embodiment of a low-yield well pumping system  160 . The second embodiment low-yield well system  160  comprises all the components of the first embodiment low-yield well pumping system  100  and additionally has a second well  162 , a second storage tank  164 , second well output piping  166  and second storage tank output piping  168 . The second storage tank output piping  168  connects into the storage tank output piping  114  downstream of the check valve  126  in the storage tank output piping  114 . In the second embodiment low-yield well system  160 , the first storage tank  104  has first booster pump  110  therein and the second storage tank  164  has the second booster pump  111 . Second booster pump wiring  170  connects second booster pump  111  to the control panel  128 . A second check valve  176  serves to maintain pressure in the pressure tank  106  when the second booster pump  111  is off. A second well back pressure transducer  172 , and second flow regulator  174 , are associated with the second well  162  and perform similar functions as their counterparts for the first well  102 . Alternative embodiments may have multiple storage tanks with one or more of the multiple storage tanks having two or more booster pumps. 
         [0026]    In yet other embodiments, a third or even more storage tanks can be added. In some embodiments these multiple storage tanks are separate and are only cross-connected in the storage tank output piping  114 , but in other embodiments, the multiple storage tanks are cross-connected directly at a low level so that the multiple storage tanks share a common water level. Each of the multiple storage tanks may have their own well pump or may share one or more well pumps. 
       Third Embodiment of a Low-Yield Well Pumping System 
       [0027]      FIG. 1C  shows a second embodiment of a low-yield well pumping system  180 . The third embodiment of a low-yield well system  180  comprises all the components of the first embodiment low-yield well pumping system  100  and like the second embodiment  160  has a second well  162  and second well output piping  166 . However, in the third embodiment of a low-yield well system  180 , the second well output piping  166  connects into the same storage tank  104  as does the first well  102 . A second well back pressure transducer  172 , and second flow regulator  174 , are associated with the second well  162  and perform similar functions as their counterparts for the first well  102 . Alternative embodiments may have multiple storage tanks are cross-connected directly at a low level so that the multiple storage tanks share a common water level. One or more of the multiple storage tanks have one or more booster pumps, all connecting into a common storage tank output piping  114 . 
       Exemplary Method for Operation of Low-Yield Well Pumping System 
       [0028]      FIGS. 2-3  shows flow charts for exemplary methods for operation of the embodiment of low-yield well pumping system  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  and may be applicable to similar embodiments and systems.  FIG. 2  shows a flow chart for an exemplary booster pump method  200 .  FIG. 3  shows a flow chart for an exemplary well pump method  300 . All of these methods may be performed simultaneously or near simultaneously. 
         [0029]    The booster pump method  200  shown in  FIG. 2  starts with step  202 , which is a step for turning on power for the control panel  128 . The booster pump method  200  continues with step  204 , which is a decision block for testing the whether well tank feedback (the level of the storage tank  104 ) is greater than or equal to a first tank level. The control panel  128  receives information from the storage tank level transducer  118  from which it derives tank level information. In the exemplary booster pump method  200 , the value of the first tank level is 8 inches, but may have a different value in other embodiments and will likely vary depending on the size and shape of the storage tank  104 . If the answer to the test of step  204  is no, the booster pump method  200  loops back and repeats step  204 . If the answer to the test of step  204  is yes, then the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  218 . The effect of this is that unless the storage tank  104  is greater than or equal to a first tank level, the rest of the booster pump method  200  will not be performed and the booster pump(s) will not be run. 
         [0030]    In step  218 , a first flag (Flag 001) is turned off. The first flag turned off indicates that the storage tank  104  has sufficient water in it to run the booster pump(s). The booster pump method  200  then proceeds to step  206 . 
         [0031]    Step  206  is a decision block for testing whether PSI tank feedback (the pressure of the pressure tank  106 ) is greater than or equal to a first tank pressure. In the exemplary booster pump method  200 , the value of the first tank pressure is 40 PSI, but may have a different value in other embodiments. If the answer to the test of step  206  is no, the booster pump method  200  loops back and repeats step  206 . If the answer to the test of step  206  is yes, then the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  208 . 
         [0032]    Step  208  is a performance block for turning on the first booster pump  110  and starting a booster pump timer. In the first embodiment, the value of the booster pump timer is 5 seconds, but may have other values in other embodiments. The booster pump method  200  then proceeds to step  210 . 
         [0033]    Step  210  is a decision for testing the booster pump timer has timed out. If the answer to the test of step  208  is no, the booster pump method  200  loops back and repeats step  208 . If the answer to the test of step  208  is yes, then the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  212 . The effect of steps  208  and  210  is to ensure that the first booster pump  110  runs for at least a short amount of time before testing whether to stop, preventing rapid on/off cycles. 
         [0034]    Step  212  is a decision block for testing whether PSI tank feedback (the pressure of the pressure tank  106 ) is less than or equal to the first tank pressure. In the exemplary method, the value of the first tank pressure is 40 PSI, but may have other values in other embodiments. If the answer to the test of step  212  is no, the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  214 . If the answer to the test of step  206  is yes, then the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  222 . The effect of step  212  is that after running the booster pump  104  for a short period of time (determined by the value of booster pump timer), if the pressure of the pressure tank  106  is below the first tank pressure, then the second booster pump  111  is started to assist the first with additional flow of water to the pressure tank  106 . 
         [0035]    Step  222  is a performance block for turning on the second booster pump  111  and resetting the booster pump timer. The booster pump method  200  then proceeds to step  214 . Steps  212  and  222  are included in the booster pump method  200  only if the low-yield well pumping system  100  has a second booster pump  111  in the storage tank  104  or another storage tank (not shown). 
         [0036]    Step  214  is a decision block for testing whether PSI tank feedback (the pressure of the pressure tank  106 ) is greater than or equal to a second tank pressure. In the exemplary method, the value of the second tank pressure is 60 PSI, but may have other values in other embodiments. If the answer to the test of step  214  is no, the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  224 . If the answer to the test of step  214  is yes, then the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  216 . 
         [0037]    Step  216  is a performance block for turning off the first booster pump  110  and the second booster pump  111  and resetting the booster pump timer. The booster pump method  200  then proceeds to step  230 . 
         [0038]    Step  224  is a decision block for testing the whether well tank feedback (the level of the storage tank  104 ) is less than or equal to a second tank level. In the exemplary booster pump method  200 , the value of the second tank level is 3 inches, but may have a different value in other embodiments and will likely vary depending on the size and shape of the storage tank  104 . If the answer to the test of step  224  is no, the booster pump method  200  loops back and repeats step  212 . If the answer to the test of step  224  is yes, then the booster pump method  200  proceeds to step  226 . The effect of steps  214  and  224  is that unless the storage tank  104  is less than or equal to the second tank level, or greater than the second tank pressure, then the booster pump(s) will continue to run. 
         [0039]    Step  226  is a performance block for turning on the first flag. The first flag turned on indicates that the storage tank  104  does not have sufficient water in it to run the booster pump(s). The booster pump method  200  then proceeds to step  220 . 
         [0040]    Step  220  is a performance block for turning off the first booster pump  110  and the second booster pump  111  and resetting the booster pump timer. The booster pump method  200  then loops back to step  204 . 
         [0041]    Steps  228  through  250  are essentially the same as steps  204  through  226 , except that in the second booster pump  111  is started first (in step  232 ) and the first booster pump  110  is started later (in step  246 ) rather than the first booster pump  110  starting first (in step  208 ) and the second booster pump  111  starting second (in step  222 ). Also step  240  loops back to the start of the group of steps  204  through  226 . The effect of these two groups of steps is that both booster pumps are evenly used and one pump is not idled. If the usage patterns are such that only in rare circumstances would the second booster pump  111  be need, the other booster pump would be idled for long periods of time and may fail unnoticed. For example, if the second booster pump  111  is only needed to serve a sprinkler system, a silent failure of the second booster pump  111  would not be noticed until a fire triggered the sprinkler system—an undesirable result. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 3  the well pump method  300  starts with step  302 , which is a performance block for powering on the control panel  128  and for setting a second flag (Flag 000) to off. The well pump method  300  then proceeds to step  304 . 
         [0043]    Step  304  is a decision block for testing the whether well tank feedback (the level of the storage tank  104 ) is less than or equal to a third tank level. The control panel  128  receives information from the storage tank level transducer  118  from which it derives tank level information. In the exemplary well pump method  300 , the value of the third tank level is 68 inches, but may have a different value in other embodiments and will likely vary depending on the size and shape of the storage tank  104 . If the answer to the test of step  304  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back and repeats step  304 . If the answer to the test of step  304  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  306 . The effect of this is that unless the storage tank  104  is less than or equal to the third tank level, the rest of well pump method  300  will not be performed and the well pump  108  will not be run. 
         [0044]    Step  306  is a performance block for starting the well pump  108  and a flow check timer. The well pump method  300  then proceeds on to step  308 . 
         [0045]    Step  308  is a decision block for testing whether the flow check timer has been completed. If the answer to the test of step  308  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back and repeats step  308 . If the answer to the test of step  308  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  310 . Looping until the flow check timer has expired allows time for the well pump  108  to start up and get flow going before checking on whether there is flow in step  310 . 
         [0046]    Step  310  is a decision block for testing whether the flow detector  125  (Input 00) is detecting flow from the well pump  108 . If the answer to the test of step  310  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  312 . If the answer to the test of step  310  is no, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  318 . 
         [0047]    Step  312  is a decision block for testing whether well pump back pressure, as measured by the well back pressure transducer  120 , is greater than a first back pressure. In the exemplary method, the first back pressure has a value of 20 PSI, but may be a different value in other embodiments, depending on the characteristics of the particular well pump  108 , the depth of the well pump  108  and the size of the well output piping  112 . If the answer to the test of step  312  is no, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  326 . If the answer to the test of step  312  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  314 . 
         [0048]    Step  314  is a decision block for testing whether a flow input sensor (Input 00) is detecting flow from the well pump  108 . If the answer to the test of step  314  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  316 . If the answer to the test of step  314  is no, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  318 . 
         [0049]    Step  316  is a decision block for testing the whether well tank feedback (the level of the storage tank  104 ) is greater than a fourth tank level. The control panel  128  receives information from the storage tank level transducer  118  from which it derives tank level information. In the exemplary well pump method  300 , the value of the fourth tank level is 71 inches, but may have a different value in other embodiments and will likely vary depending on the size and shape of the storage tank  104 . If the answer to the test of step  316  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back and repeats step  312 . If the answer to the test of step  316  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  336 . 
         [0050]    Step  318  is a performance block for stopping the well pump  108 , resetting the flow check timer, starting a well dry delay timer and resetting a well draw timer (low). The well pump method  300  then proceeds on to step  320 . 
         [0051]    Step  320  is a performance block for resetting a well draw timer (medium) and turning a third flag (Flag 002) on. The well pump method  300  then proceeds on to step  322 . 
         [0052]    Step  322  is a decision block for testing whether the well dry delay timer has timed out. In the first embodiment, the well dry delay timer is 1 hour and 45 minutes, but may have different values in different embodiments, depending on how long the particular well  102  needs to recover after being pumped dry. If the answer to the test of step  322  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back and repeats step  322 . If the answer to the test of step  322  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  324 . 
         [0053]    Step  324  is a performance block for resetting a well recovery timer, resetting the well dry delay timer, resetting the flow check timer and turning the third flag (Flag 002) off. The well pump method  300  then proceeds on to step  322 . 
         [0054]    Step  326  is a decision block for testing whether well pump back pressure, as measured by the well back pressure transducer  120 , is greater than a second back pressure. The value of the second back pressure is less than the value of the first back pressure used in step  312 . In the exemplary method, the second back pressure has a value of 13 PSI, but may be a different value in other embodiments, depending on the characteristics of the particular well pump  108 , the depth of the well pump  108  and the size of the well output piping  112 . If the answer to the test of step  326  is no, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  340 . If the answer to the test of step  326  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  328 . 
         [0055]    Step  328  is a decision block for testing whether a flow input sensor (Input 00) is detecting flow from the well pump  108 . If the answer to the test of step  328  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  330 . If the answer to the test of step  328  is no, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  318 . 
         [0056]    Step  330  is a performance block for starting a well draw timer (medium). The well pump method  300  then proceeds on to step  332 . 
         [0057]    Step  332  is a decision block for testing whether the well draw timer (medium) has timed out. In the first embodiment, the medium well draw timer is set at 10 minutes, but may be set at different values for different embodiments; depending on how long a particular well pump has been found to be able to run with back pressure lower than the first back pressure value without running the well dry. If the answer to the test of step  332  is yes, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  336 . If the answer to the test of step  332  is no, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  334 . 
         [0058]    Step  334  is a decision block for testing the whether well tank feedback (the level of the storage tank  104 ) is greater than the fourth tank level. If the answer to the test of step  334  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back and repeats step  326 . If the answer to the test of step  334  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  336 . 
         [0059]    Step  336  is a performance block for turning off the well pump  108 , resetting a well draw timer (medium), resetting the draw timer (low), and starting a well recovery timer. The well pump method  300  then proceeds on to step  338 . 
         [0060]    Step  338  is a decision block for testing whether the well recovery timer has timed out. If the answer to the test of step  338  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back and repeats step  338 . If the answer to the test of step  338  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  324 . Step  338  keeps the well pump  108  shut down while the well recovery timer is timing out, allowing water to flow back into the well from adjacent strata. In the first embodiment, the well recovery timer is set at 30 minutes, but may be set at different values for different embodiments, depending on how long a particular well has been found to need to recover after a typical pumping session. 
         [0061]    Step  340  is a decision block for testing whether well pump back pressure, as measured by the well back pressure transducer  120 , is less than or equal to the second back pressure. If the answer to the test of step  340  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back to step  312 . If the answer to the test of step  340  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  342 . 
         [0062]    Step  342  is a decision block for testing whether a flow input sensor (Input 00) is detecting flow from the well pump  108 . If the answer to the test of step  342  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  334 . If the answer to the test of step  342  is no, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  318 . 
         [0063]    Step  344  is a performance block for starting a well draw timer (low). The well pump method  300  then proceeds on to step  346 . 
         [0064]    Step  346  is a decision block for testing whether the well draw timer (low) has timed out. In the first embodiment, the low well draw timer is set at 1 minute, but may be set at different values for different embodiments, depending on how long a particular well pump has been found to be able to run with back pressure lower than the second back pressure value without running the well dry. If the answer to the test of step  346  is no, the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  348 . If the answer to the test of step  346  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  336 . 
         [0065]    Step  348  is a decision block for testing the whether well tank feedback (the level of the storage tank  104 ) is greater than the fourth tank level. If the answer to the test of step  348  is no, the well pump method  300  loops back and repeats step  340 . If the answer to the test of step  348  is yes, then the well pump method  300  proceeds to step  336 .