I get a notice on my door that Fannin County is shutting down our well for 8 days to do a yield test. They left 2 cases of bottled water.
Any idea what a yield test is?

I believe it has to do with determining or measuring the amount of water your well produces versus the amount of water that goes back into your well from surrounding ground water sources. This is probably a good thing to know especially if we go through a drought situation again.


I don't think 2 cases of bottled water is enough for 8 days...

What Exactly is a Water Yield Test? Let me try to explain it for you in more detail and as to why they run those tests which for a home Owner is important Information to have but it is an annoyance you have to put up with while waiting for the test to be complete and get the results. BTW...the 2 cases of water they left you is a joke. That will not cover you for 8 days using it to drink alone. Are you suppose to take a shower or bath with that water as well? That is why I say it is a joke. Are you suppose to waste the water trying to force flush the toilet too?

If you can...you would be better off staying with a friend until the test is all over with. You are going to find it really hard to manage without the water and 2 cases they left you. OK here is the information I do know about a Yield test. Hope this helps you out.

The well yield may be found in the well log created when the well was drilled and its
pump installed. Many communities also require a yield test when a property is bought

or sold.

Determining the yield of a well involves a test to see the balance between the maximum
amount of water that can be pumped out of the well and the amount of water that
recharges back into the well from the surrounding ground water source.

The test requires the continuous pumping of the well for an extended period of time.

During the pumping period, measurements are made of 1) the rate at which water is being
pumped out of the well and 2) the distance the water level is lowered in the well as a
result of the pumping, known as the drawdown.

Balance, or equilibrium, is achieved when the water level within the well stops dropping
for a given discharge rate. Once equilibrium is achieved, less pumping results in less
drawdown.

Well professionals rely on the yield pump test to set the well pump at the
correct level.

It is common to maintain the water level in the well at least 25 feet above the top of the
submersible pump. This depth of water over the pump provides a reasonable level of
safety for dry conditions and provides for full cooling of the pump’s electrical motor.

Don’t be fooled by water pressure in the home. Pressure at the tap is not necessarily
dependent on ample well yield. Proper sizing of the well pump, pressure tank and

distribution lines by a well professional can increase pressure when yields are quite low.

Thanks for the info. The notice stated a water truck with disinfected water will supply water for washing clothes and taking baths. The notice states the bottled water is for persional cleaning(their misspelling not mine) and washing teeth.

Is this your private well? Are others in the area also being tested? If you are not selling your home and you didn't inquire about the yield then how can Fannin county do a yield test on your well?

The test is over now and we have no water pressure. Took 30 minutes to fill washing machine.

Can you post an update to you well problems?

All is well. Pun intended. The low water flow was due to clogged filter in our house.