Power Outage Solutions for Well Owners | SCWS

When the power goes out, so does your well pump. Learn about generator options, battery backup systems, and strategies to maintain water supply during San Diego's increasing outage events.

Understanding Your Power Needs

Well pumps require significant starting power—often 2-3 times their running watts. A 1HP submersible pump drawing 10 amps running may need 25+ amps to start. This surge capacity requirement sizes your generator. Additionally, consider what else you want to power during outages. A whole-house generator offers convenience; a dedicated well generator offers economy.

Generator Options

Portable generators (5,000-10,000 watts) offer flexibility and lower cost but require manual setup and fuel management. Standby generators start automatically and run on natural gas or propane, but cost significantly more to purchase and install. For wells only, a dedicated 5,000-watt portable with a transfer switch provides reliable backup at moderate cost.

Battery and Solar Solutions

Battery backup systems like Tesla Powerwall can power well pumps, but capacity limits runtime. A typical Powerwall (13.5 kWh) might run a well pump for 8-12 hours of total runtime—less during extended outages with other household loads. Solar integration extends capacity but requires proper sizing. These systems work best for shorter outages or as generator supplements.

Water Storage Strategies

The simplest outage solution: store water. A 500-1,500 gallon tank with a small booster pump provides days of supply without generator concerns. Fill from your well during normal operation; draw from the tank during outages. This approach particularly suits areas with frequent PSPS events or unreliable grid power. Gravity-fed systems eliminate even booster pump needs.

We service all major pump brands including Franklin Electric, Grundfos, Goulds (Xylem), and Sta-Rite (Pentair). Our trucks carry common parts and components for same-day repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions