How to get water from a well pump without electricity
Extracting water from a well pump or locating a water drain valve without electricity is difficult when you aren't sure how to safely access the system during an emergency. This leaves people unsure how to secure backup water supplies during a power outage.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Leaving the system alone since standard water pressure and gas heating often remain functional during power outagesDid this help you?
- 2Using a backup generator (often requiring 220V or 240V and a transfer switch)Did this help you?
- 3Replacing the existing pump with a 120-volt pump powered by a solar power stationDid this help you?
- 4Considering manual retrieval methods like a long pipe and foot valve (though noted as inefficient or practically limited by depth and physics)Did this help you?
- 5getting a backup generatorDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Hello, ive been thinking about what id do about water given a situation without electricity. This is my well pump, im not sure whats in it as I dont really want to pop it open just for a look, would I be able to extract water without electricity with this set up?”source ↗
“Thanks for the information, as for the pvc with a foot valve I was really asking if it wouldve do able in an emergency scenario just by taking the removable stuff out from beneath the cover.”source ↗
“I was more so asking for a solution that would not require electricity, thanks!”source ↗
“Im curious if youd have any ideas for a solution that wouldnt require electricity, I dont think id be able to over come 500ft of distance but if it's shorter I wonder if I could just get a foot valve and a long skinny Pvc pipe to fill then haul back up.”source ↗
“Can anyone tell me where the water drain valve is? I want to have access to the water during power outages.”source ↗
“We seldom lose power here, but when we do, we can't run any water, or flush toilets.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Why is losing power so disorienting?
- 5How to keep a sump pump and medical gear running during a power outage
- 16How do I find my main water shutoff valve in an emergency?
- 2How do you provide drinking water in a remote portable classroom?
- 4How to turn off main water valve at the street safely
- 2How to figure out what size portable power station I need