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Private well, pressure tank or buried water line? Understanding leak symptoms

Some properties in the Kingman area get water from a private well or a storage tank instead of a utility main. On those systems, a “leak” can be a pipe leak, or it can be a pump, pressure tank or control problem that looks similar. Well pumps, pressure tanks and their controls require appropriate well or pump expertise; that work is not offered here.

Could a well or pressure tank explain the symptoms?

No water bill and a pressure tank usually means a private well system—there is no utility meter, so the usual meter test does not apply
A pump that switches on when no one is using water suggests water is leaving the system somewhere: a leaking pipe, fixture, toilet, or a problem in the well or tank equipment
Rapid on-off pump cycling during normal use often points to the pressure tank or its controls rather than a pipe leak
A wet or soft area along the line to the house points to the buried line
When in doubt, call a licensed well or pump professional for the well, pump, tank and controls, and a plumbing or leak professional for buried lines and indoor plumbing

Which system do you have?

What you see Likely system Utility meter?
A monthly bill from the City of Kingman, a county improvement district or a water company Utility-supplied water Yes
A well head or casing, a pressure tank and a pressure switch, no water bill Private well No
An association bill or shared agreement, a well used by several properties Shared well or community system Sometimes, at each property
A large storage tank, delivery receipts, a booster pump Hauled water with storage No
A well filling a storage tank, then a booster pump Well with storage No

If you’re on utility water, see how to check a water meter for leaks.

How does a well pressure system work?

1
The well and pump lift water from the ground.
2
The pressure tank stores some water under pressure so the pump does not have to run every time a tap opens.
3
The pressure switch turns the pump on when pressure drops to a set point and off when it reaches a higher one.
4
The water line runs from the well or tank to the house, often buried.
5
The house plumbing distributes water to fixtures.

A problem in any one of these can produce symptoms that look like a leak.

Which symptoms point to a tank, pump or buried line?

Symptom Other common explanations Usually checked by
Pump turns on when no water is being used A running toilet, dripping fixture, irrigation, or a well/tank plumbing problem Start with fixtures; well professional for equipment
Pump cycles on and off rapidly during normal use Pressure tank problem (lost air charge, failed bladder) or pressure switch issue Well or pump professional
Pump runs constantly and never shuts off Pump or well problems, low water level, switch problems Well or pump professional first
Pressure gauge slowly drops with everything off A leaking check valve or fitting in the well equipment, a fixture leak Leak professional and well professional
Wet, soft or green area along the line route Irrigation, runoff, septic area if nearby Leak investigation for the buried line
Storage tank level drops faster than expected A float valve problem, tank leak, overflow Tank or well professional, then plumbing
Spitting faucets or air in the lines Low well level, pump or pressure tank problems Well or pump professional
Water quality change: cloudy, discolored, odor Well water quality changes Water testing; well professional

These are possibilities to check, not a diagnosis.

What can you safely observe?

Turn off every fixture, appliance and irrigation zone
Watch the pressure gauge on or near the pressure tank for 30 minutes to an hour; note whether the needle drops
Listen for the pump turning on during that time; note how often
Do the toilet dye test: a few drops of food coloring in each tank—color in the bowl after 10 minutes means that toilet is leaking
Walk the line route between the well or tank and the house, looking for wet, sunken or unusually green areas
Check storage tank levels if you have one, before and after a period with no use

What not to do

Do not open the pressure switch cover or adjust its settings—it carries live electrical current
Do not open the well cap or work on the pump or wiring
Do not change the pressure tank’s air charge without the right knowledge and gauge
Do not dig along the line without first contacting Arizona 811—private well lines may need separate locating
Do not shock-chlorinate a well without following guidance from a qualified source

To stop water in an emergency, close the house shutoff valve and switch off the pump circuit at the breaker, but only from a dry, safe spot.

How can you investigate without a municipal water meter?

On utility water, the meter tells you whether water is flowing when it should not be. On a well, the closest equivalents are:

The pressure gauge: with everything off, pressure should hold steady. A slow drop suggests water is escaping or leaking back.
Pump run times: the pump should not start when no water is being used.
Storage tank levels: the level should not drop with no use.

None of these tell you where the water is going. They only tell you something is wrong.

Leaks on the buried line to the house

A pump that runs more often than it used to, with no change in household use
Pressure that drops with everything off, after fixtures and toilets have been ruled out
A wet, soft or green strip along the route, or water pooling at the surface
Lower pressure at the house than at the tank

See underground and water line leak detection and underground leaks versus irrigation leaks.

Storage tanks and hauled water

Properties with hauled water or storage tanks have extra places where water can be lost:

The tank itself, its fittings or overflow
A float valve that fails to close, letting a well-fed tank overflow
The booster pump and its pressure tank
The line from the tank to the house

Track the tank level over time. A drop with no use, or an overflow outlet that is wet, narrows things down.

Who to call for which part

Part of the system Who typically handles it
Well, pump, wiring, pressure switch, pressure tank, check valves A licensed well or pump professional
Storage tank and float valve A tank or well professional
Buried line from well or tank to the house A leak investigator or plumber
Indoor plumbing, fixtures and toilets A plumber
Water quality concerns A water testing laboratory, then a well professional

Ask any professional you call to confirm that their Arizona license covers the work.

Kingman-area context

The area around Kingman includes several kinds of water supply. Some properties are on City of Kingman water. Others are served by Mohave County improvement districts or private water companies. Some parcels, particularly outside utility service areas, rely on private wells, shared wells or hauled water. Golden Valley, New Kingman–Butler and Valle Vista are separate places with their own arrangements. See Kingman water mains versus private water lines for the utility side.

Frequently asked questions

My pump keeps turning on at night. Is that a leak?

It may be. With all water off, a pump that turns on means pressure is dropping. Rule out toilets and dripping fixtures first, then ask a well professional to check the equipment and a leak investigator to check buried lines.

Is rapid pump cycling a leak?

Not usually on its own. Rapid on-off cycling during normal use often points to the pressure tank or switch. A well or pump professional should check it, since frequent cycling can wear out the pump.

Can a professional water meter test help on a well?

There is no utility meter, but some leak investigations use pressure testing on isolated sections instead. See water meter and pressure-loss investigation for how pressure-loss testing works.

Does Arizona 811 mark my well line?

Not necessarily. Arizona 811 coordinates notices to underground facility operators, but customer-owned well and other private lines may require a separate locator.

Do you service wells or pressure tanks?

No well, pump or pressure-tank services are offered here. For those components, contact a qualified well or pump professional.

Where can I find more about owning a private well in Arizona?

The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center publishes an Arizona Domestic Well Owner’s Toolkit with practical guidance.

Questions about a buried line or indoor plumbing?

Contact Kingman Leakcrest to talk through what you’re seeing.

If you have ruled out the well equipment and suspect a leak on the buried line or in the house plumbing, call (928) 437-2800.

Call (928) 437-2800