How to Get Water From Your Well When the Power Is Out
When the power goes out on a private well, the water stops too. The pump runs on electricity, so once the pressure tank empties, nothing comes out of the taps.
The good news is that you have options, from the water already sitting in your pressure tank to a generator, a battery backup or a hand pump. This guide covers each one and how much water to store before the next storm.
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- Your pressure tank still holds a few gallons when the power goes out. Use it for drinking and cooking first.
- Store 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days, the amount Ready.gov recommends.
- For long outages, a properly sized generator with a transfer switch, a battery backup system or a hand pump keeps water flowing.
How Much Water Should You Store?
The calculator uses 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene (Ready.gov), a quarter gallon per pet, and about 3 gallons per person per day for flushing. Usable tank water is estimated at about 30 percent of the tank size; the real drawdown depends on your pressure switch settings.
1. Use the Water Already in Your Pressure Tank
Your pressure tank stores water under pressure, and some of it is still usable after the pump stops. A 20 gallon tank usually gives you around 5 to 8 gallons before the flow fades.
Save it for drinking and cooking. Fill pitchers and pots at the first sign of a storm, and avoid flushing toilets from the tap. Our pressure tank sizing calculator shows how much drawdown your tank gives.
2. Run the Well Pump on a Generator
A generator is the most common fix for longer outages. Many submersible pumps run on 240 volts and need a large surge of power to start, often two to three times their running watts, so size the generator to the pump, not just the lights.
Connect it through a transfer switch or interlock, never by backfeeding through an outlet. Backfeeding can kill a lineworker down the road. Our best generator for a well pump guide shows how to size one.
3. Battery Backup and Solar
A battery backup system or a solar pump setup can run a well pump with no fuel and no noise. They suit homes in areas with frequent short outages and off grid cabins.
See battery backup for a well pump, solar pump controllers and solar submersible pumps to compare options.
4. Add a Hand Pump to the Well
A hand pump installed in the same well as your electric pump gives you water in any outage, with no power at all. Some lift water from deep wells, but depth limits vary a lot by model.
Our best hand pumps for wells guide compares the main types and the depths they can reach.
5. Store Water Before the Storm
When a storm or ice event is on the way, fill clean containers for drinking water and fill the bathtub for flushing. A bathtub water bladder keeps that water clean enough to drink.
Bathtub Water Storage Bladder, 100 Gallon
Lines your bathtub and holds up to 100 gallons of clean water when a storm is coming. Fill it while the pump still has power.
Check price on AmazonReliance Products Water-Pak Water Container
A stackable container with a spout for drinking water. Keep a few full in a cool, dark place and rotate them every six months.
Check price on AmazonTo flush a toilet with stored water, pour about a gallon quickly into the bowl. Do not refill the tank.
After the Power Comes Back
- Turn the pump breaker back on and let the tank fill before running several taps.
- Open faucets one at a time to push out air. Our air in well water lines guide shows how.
- If the well was flooded, do not drink the water. Shock the well and test it first. See how to shock a well and the EPA private well guidance.
- In winter, check for frozen pipes before you run water. See frozen well pipes and how to keep a well pump from freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get water from my well when the power is out?
Use the water left in your pressure tank first, then stored water. For longer outages, run the pump on a properly sized generator through a transfer switch, use a battery backup system, or install a hand pump in the well.
How long will my well water last without power?
Only as long as the water in your pressure tank, which is usually a few gallons. A 20 gallon tank gives about 5 to 8 gallons before the flow stops.
What size generator do I need to run a well pump?
It depends on the pump. Many well pumps need two to three times their running watts to start. Check the pump horsepower and voltage, then size the generator for the starting surge.
Can I flush the toilet when the well has no power?
Yes. Pour about a gallon of stored water quickly into the bowl. Fill the bathtub or a water bladder before a storm for this.
Is well water safe to drink after a power outage?
Usually yes, if the well was not flooded. If floodwater reached the wellhead, do not drink it until the well has been shocked and tested.
