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Sizing a Pressure Tank

The functions of a pressure tank are to:
(1) protect and prolong the life of the pump by preventing rapid cycling of the
pump motor;
(2) provide water under pressure for delivery between pump cycles; and
(3) provide additional water storage under pressure to assist the pump in
meeting the total demands of a system if the pump or well is incapable of
supplying the required capacity.

Selecting a Pressure Tank

When selecting a pressure tank, certain information must be known:
(1) system demand;
(2) pump capacity; and
(3) well capacity.
The system demand is a function of water usage and location, expressed as gallon(s) per
minute (gpm) and pound(s) per square inch gauge (psig), respectively. Usage or flow
(gpm) can be determined using one of several methods (refer to Table IV.1.1 for typical
demands):
a) The fixture method determines the system demand by totaling the number of
fixtures in the home, including outside hose bibs, and multiplying this number
by 1 gallon per minute (gpm). For example, 10 fixtures x 1 gpm = 10 gpm.
b) The peak demand method determines system demand considering that more
than one fixture will be in use under peak demand. The number of fixtures
being used at the same time is determined and multiplied by 3 gpm. For
example, 4 fixtures x 3 gpm = 12 gpm.
c) An alternate method determines system demand by calculating the number of
bathrooms (half baths are considered as 1) and multiplying by 4 gpm. For a
home with 2 bathrooms, multiply 3 x 4 gpm = 12 gpm.
Use the largest system demand determined by the above methods. For determining
system demand for water systems supplying farms, and public or commercial buildings
such as schools or motels, see Book I, Chapter 3, of the Water Systems Handbook.

wellcare information on Sizing a Pressure Tank

January 2007

wellcare information on Sizing a Pressure Tank

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The pump capacity should be selected according to the system demand. If a pump
exists, the capacity must be determined.
The well capacity should be documented when the well has been declared ready for use
and will often be referred to in gallons per hour (gph). If the well capacity is unknown,
it should be determined by measuring the well water level. The water level must be
lowered via pumping, measured, then allowed to recover to the static water level. A
record of the time required to return to static water level along with the well pipe size
can be used to calculate the well capacity (recovery). An alternate method of
determining if the well capacity is sufficient for system demand is to draw water from
the well at or above the peak demand and determine if the well can sustain the peak
demand flow.
A typical water system will have adequate well capacity and pump capacity to meet or
exceed the system demand. The system will commonly function using a differential
pressure switch to control the system pressure at or above the minimum required
system pressure.

Total Tank Volume

Selecting the pressure tank total volume for typical systems will consider the pump
capacity. Total tank volume is not a measure of tank acceptance volume, which is
typically considered to be available water volume or tank drawdown. Total tank volume
is a measure of the total tank size required to provide the required available water. The
total tank volume will vary depending on tank type.

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a) Referring to Table IV.1.2, select the pump capacity, tank type and pressure
switch settings to determine the total tank volume.
b) When it is desired to have a pressure switch setting different from those
included in the table, the total tank volume can be determined as follows:
Total tank volume =

Minimum Drawdown (from Table VI.1.2)

Acceptance Factor

(Acceptance Factor is the factor of the total tank volume that will provide
available water).
Acceptance Factor is calculated using the pressure tank precharge pressure (2
psig below the pump cut-in pressure). The pressure tank will operate between
the pressures set by the pressure switch. The tank precharge pressure should be
set at 2 psig below the low pressure cut-in to prevent a noticeable drop in
pressure at the fixture.
Acceptance Factor = 1

((P1 cut-in 2)+ 14.7)

(P2 cut-out + 14.7)

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When the Well or Pump Cannot Meet Peak Demand

In cases where the well cannot meet the peak system demand, additional pump
protection may be required in the form of floats or power monitors. For more
information on low-producing wells, reference the Water Systems Handbook.

In cases where the pump cannot meet the peak system demand, a supplemental
drawdown may be obtained from the pressure tank. (See figure above). Supplemental
drawdown can be added to the pressure tank by adjusting the tank and system
pressures in order to supplement the system during times of peak demand. When the
pump can meet the system demand, it will operate between the pressure switch
settings. When the pump cannot meet the system demand, the pressure will drop
below the cut-in pressure. The supplemental drawdown is supplied by the tank at a
pressure between the tank precharge and the cut-in pressure.
The supplemental drawdown required is determined from peak demand:
Supplemental Drawdown (Gallons) =
[Peak Demand (gpm) Pump Capacity (gpm)] * [Peak Demand Time (minutes)]
The total required drawdown is determined by referring to Table IV.1.2 to obtain the
minimum drawdown:
Total Required Drawdown (Gallons) = [Minimal Drawdown + Supplemental Drawdown]
Total Tank Volume = Total Drawdown / Acceptance Factor
where the
Acceptance Factor = 1

(P1 pressure tank precharge + 14.7)

(P2 cut-out + 14.7)

Consult the manufacturer for additional assistance in determining proper tank sizing
and pressure settings.

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For more information on sizing a pressure tank

Water Systems Council. (2006). Chapter 1: Pressure Tanks. In Book IV of the Water

Systems Handbook (12th Edition).

Water Systems Council. (2006). Chapter 3: Sizing and Selection. In Book I of the Water
Systems Handbook (12th Edition).

For more information on your drinking water

The following websites provide up-to-date information on efforts to protect drinking
water supplies and steps you can take as a private well owner. In addition, you may
contact the wellcare hotline at 1-888-395-1033.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

www.epa.gov

Other information about wells and well water can be found in the following wellcare
information sheets:
General Information about Wells:
Determining the Depth of
a Well
Determining the Yield of
a Well
Ground Water
Selecting a Well
Contractor
Sizing a Pressure Tank
Sizing a Well Pump
Wells
Your Well & Septic System
Coping with Low Water
Levels
Managing a Flooded Well
Protecting Your Wellhead
Protecting Your Well
Well Maintenance
Wells and Fire Protection

Wells: What to do When

Power Fails
What To Do if the Well
Runs Dry
Boiling Your Drinking
Water
Disinfecting Your Well
Drinking Water Testing
Drinking Water
Treatments
Home Drinking Water
Treatment Devices
Testing Water for
Gardening and Lawn
Irrigation
Understanding Drinking
Water Test Results
Buying a Home with a
Well

Closing an Abandoned
Well
Dillons Rule
Ground Water
Withdrawals
Real Estate Professionals:
Buying or Selling a
Home with a Well
Sanitarians Closing a
Well
Sanitarians Inspecting a
Well
Sanitarians Wells &
Septic Systems
Shared Well Agreement
Sharing a Well
Water Conservation
Who Owns the Water

Your Well Cap

Your Well Casing

Your Well Pump

Your Well Tank

Well Components:
Your Pitless Adapter
Valves

Possible Contaminants You May Find in Your Well Water:

Arsenic
Bacteria
Benzene
Chlorine Disinfectants &
Their Byproducts
Chromium
Copper
Emerging Water
Contaminants
Hardness in Drinking
Water

Iron
Lead
Mercury
MTBE
Nitrate and Nitrite
Perchlorate
Pesticides
pH in Drinking Water
Radium
Radon
Sodium

Sulfur
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS)
Turbidity in Drinking
Water
Uranium
Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs)

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For more information about wells and other wellcare publications

wellcare is a program of the Water Systems Council (WSC). WSC is a national nonprofit
organization dedicated to promoting the wider use of wells as modern and affordable
safe drinking water systems and to protecting ground water resources
nationwide. This publication is one in a series of wellcare information
sheets. There were more than 60 available at the time this document was
published. They can be downloaded FREE from the WSC website at
www.watersystemscouncil.org. Well owners and others with questions
about wells or ground water can also contact the wellcare hotline at 888-395-1033 or
visit www.wellcarehotline.org

This publication was developed in part under Assistance Agreement No. X-83256101-0 awarded by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has not been formally reviewed by EPA. The views expressed
in this document are solely those of WSC. EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services
mentioned in this publication.

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