If a private well stops delivering water after a storm, first separate a simple power outage from possible electrical damage or flood contamination. A well pump needs electricity, so water pressure can fall once the pressure tank’s stored water is used. A restored utility connection does not guarantee that the pump, controls and water are safe to use.
For homeowners in Marshville, Union County and surrounding North Carolina communities, the safest next steps depend on what happened at the well.
1. Look for storm or flood hazards before touching anything
Stay clear of downed lines, standing water around electrical equipment, damaged wiring and a flooded well. Do not enter a well pit, open electrical controls or attempt to repair a pump in wet conditions. The CDC advises using a qualified electrician, well contractor or pump contractor to check equipment wiring before power is restored to a storm-damaged well.
If floodwater reached or may have entered the well, do not drink the water or assume that boiling solves every contamination problem. Use bottled water until the well is inspected and testing confirms the water is safe. Fuel or chemical contamination cannot be made safe by boiling or routine disinfection; contact the local health department for guidance.
2. If the well area is dry and undamaged, confirm the home’s power status
Check whether electricity is back in the home and whether other major appliances are operating. From a safe, dry location, you may check whether a clearly labeled breaker for the well pump has tripped. A breaker that trips again indicates a fault requiring professional attention; do not keep resetting it. If the panel, controls or surrounding area are wet or damaged, leave them alone and call a qualified professional.
During a prolonged outage, conserve the water remaining in the pressure tank. A generator should be connected only through equipment installed for that purpose by a qualified electrician. Never backfeed a home through an outlet, and keep portable generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
3. Once power returns, note exactly what the system does
Is there no water at any faucet, weak flow everywhere, or only a problem at one fixture? Does the pressure recover and then fall again? Does the pump run continuously or cycle rapidly? Those observations help a contractor identify whether the issue involves power supply, a control component, pressure equipment, the pump or the well itself.
Do not leave a pump running indefinitely if it cannot build pressure. Arrange emergency well pump repair if the system remains without water, repeatedly trips a breaker or behaves abnormally after power is restored.
4. Treat flood exposure as a water-quality issue too
Storm damage can affect both equipment and drinking water. The EPA recommends testing after flooding or other significant changes near a well. If the well was flooded, ask a well or pump contractor and the local health department about inspection, cleaning, disinfection and testing. A clear appearance does not prove the water is safe.
If water returns but is newly cloudy, brown, unusually scented or tastes different, stop using it for drinking and food preparation until you know the cause. See the separate guide to cloudy or brown well water for the main possibilities.
Frequently asked questions
Will a well work when the power is out?
An electric pump cannot continue pumping without a suitable power source. You may have some water left under pressure in the tank, but that supply is limited.
Should I reset the pump breaker after a storm?
Only consider a single check when the panel and well equipment are dry and visibly undamaged. Do not repeatedly reset a tripped breaker. If flooding or electrical damage is possible, leave the system alone and call a professional.
When should I call for help?
Call promptly for a flooded well, damaged equipment, repeated breaker trips, no water after power returns or a major change in water appearance. Love Well & Water Works offers 24-hour pump repair in its service area. Call (704) 635-5755.
