Why does my well run dry in Florida?

If your well runs dry in Florida, the cause is usually a drop in water level, a pump issue, or a problem with the well itself, and the right fix depends on whether you have a shallow irrigation well, a deeper drinking-water well, or a system issue at the pump.

Why a well runs dry in Florida

Florida wells can stop producing for a few different reasons. In Central Florida, the most common issue is that the water table drops below the pump intake or well screen during dry weather, heavy irrigation demand, or seasonal changes.

A well can also seem “dry” when the problem is actually in the pump system. A worn pump, failed pressure switch, bad pressure tank, clogged screen, or electrical issue can all make a working well act like it has no water.

Common reasons a well stops producing water

Here are the situations we see most often:

• Seasonal water-table drop during dry spells or drought conditions
• High irrigation demand drawing water faster than the well can recover
• Pump failure or worn pump components
• Pressure tank problems causing little or no usable water pressure
• Electrical issues after a storm or lightning strike
• Sediment or mineral buildup affecting performance over time
• A shallow well that has simply gone too shallow for current conditions

If you are in Polk County or nearby, the local aquifer and soil conditions matter a lot. A shallow well that worked for years can become unreliable when the water table shifts, especially if the well was drilled for irrigation rather than drinking water.

Shallow well vs. deep well problems

Not every dry-well complaint means the same thing. A 2-inch shallow irrigation well behaves differently from a 4-inch to 8-inch deep well used for drinking water or higher-volume needs.

A shallow well is more likely to be affected by seasonal changes. If your irrigation needs are regular and heavy, the well may not recover fast enough between cycles. Deep wells are usually less sensitive to short-term water-table movement, but they can still have pump, casing, or screen problems that reduce flow.

If you are not sure what type of well you have, we can evaluate it and help determine whether the issue is the well itself or the equipment attached to it. Our Water Well Drilling service covers new well drilling for residential, agricultural, and commercial properties across Central Florida, and our Shallow (2-Inch) Irrigation Wells page explains when that type of well makes sense.

When it’s the pump, not the well

A lot of “dry well” calls turn out to be pump trouble. If the pump is failing, losing prime, or unable to build pressure, it can look like the well has stopped producing even when water is still available underground.

Signs the pump system may be the real problem

Watch for these symptoms:

• Water sputters or comes out weakly
• Pressure drops suddenly
• The pump cycles on and off too often
• The system hums but does not deliver water
• The pressure switch is damaged or inconsistent
• The problem started after lightning or a power event

That is where our Pump Repair & Installation service comes in. We repair and install every common pump type, and we have a full-line machine shop for in-house rebuilds of pumps and turbines. We also carry Goulds, Sta-Rite, Grundfos, and Schaefer new and used, which helps us match the right equipment to the job.

Water quality and flow problems can look like a dry well

Sometimes the well is not dry at all, it is just underperforming because of water quality or buildup. Iron, hardness, or hydrogen sulfide can create symptoms that homeowners interpret as a failing well, especially if the water has a smell, staining, or sediment.

Our Water Filtration & Treatment service addresses hard, smelly, or staining well water. We install water softeners, chlorination systems, iron removal systems, iron-sequestering systems, and hydrogen sulfide treatment, and we also do on-site water testing to identify what is actually in your water.

A treatment issue will not fix a truly dry well, but it can restore useful service when the well is producing water that is difficult to use or damaging to fixtures.

What to do if your well stops working

If your well suddenly stops producing, do not assume you need a new well right away. The smart first step is to have the system checked so we can determine whether the issue is the water level, the pump, the pressure tank, or the electrical controls.

Call a pro for these problems

You should call if:

• Your drinking-water well has stopped working
• Your irrigation system lost pressure suddenly
• You suspect a lightning strike damaged the system
• The pump runs but no water reaches the house or yard
• The pressure tank is acting up
• You hear abnormal noises from the pump or motor

We also handle Lightning Damage Repair for well systems, including pump and motor repair after a strike, irrigation electrical repair, pressure-switch and control replacement, and well casing damage assessment. In Central Florida, lightning is a frequent cause of sudden well failure.

Why Central Florida homeowners call Dunham

Dunham Well Drilling has served Polk County since 1950, and we know the local aquifer conditions that affect shallow and deep wells in this area. We are a Licensed Water Well Drilling Contractor and a Florida Ground Water Association member, and our work covers drilling, pumps, filtration, irrigation, and well-related repairs under one roof.

That matters when your well runs dry because the cause is not always obvious. We can diagnose the system, rebuild equipment in-house when needed, and help you decide whether repair, replacement, or a new well is the right move.

If your well runs dry, call Dunham Well Drilling at (863) 965-2881 for help Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, or use our 24/7 answering service for urgent situations. We have 76 years in business, a full machine shop for pump and turbine rebuilds, and the experience to troubleshoot Central Florida well problems the right way.