Testing Pressure Tank for Well?

[Pony]

Our old artesian hand dug well has a pressure tank that's been sitting out there for many years. It's a modern style with the air pressure valve at the top, but it's been exposed to the elements for who knows how long, perhaps as many as 8 years. In the last 3 years, we know that it has frozen in the Winter.

Does anyone know if there's a way to test it to see if it's still any good?

TIA!

[Bearfootfarm]

Does anyone know if there's a way to test it to see if it's still any good?

Pump in about 30 lbs of air pressure and see if it holds for a couple of days

If its not been changes in a few years, often a new needle valve will make the difference between holding and not holding pressure.

[oneokie]

Is it connected to the well now? If it is, does it leak water?

[Pony]

It's connected to the well now, but there is no pump.

We were told when we bought this place that the well was good (we were told a lot of other things, too, and a few of them were stretching the truth - some of the things were pure fiction).

We're just trying to figure out if the water is good, and if it is, how to get the well running again, so we don't have to pay for rural water. It's not only spendy, the quality is a bit iffy at times. (Nothing like having brown water come out of the hydrant, and when we call about it, the guy who is works for the Water Dept pleads ignorance, and/or just says, "Well, that happens sometimes...." with no further explanation.)

[oneokie]

Originally Posted by Pony

how to get the well running again,

Open what ever valves are on the well setup as it is now. If it is artesian, water should flow. Your local health dept. can test, or can suggest a lab that can do the testing you desire.

[Pony]

Thanks, Folks.

It will be nice to have our own well instead of relying on rural water district.