Sta-Rite Pump Surges on 3-4 Zones: Too Many Valves Open or Well Issue

Pump Surges on Multiple Zones: Controller or Well Problem?

7-zone system, new Sta-Rite DS2 pump (Nov). Water surges on 3-4 zones. No surge at 3 PM test. Neighbor watering same time?

Two Likely Causes

1. Multiple valves open at once – Controller malfunction or programming error. Only 1-2 valves should run simultaneously. Verify controller operation.
2. Pump exceeding well yield – Pump draws down well, loses prime, re-priming causes surge. Common if pump GPM > well recovery.

Action

Check controller: run manually, watch valves. If >1 opens, fix controller. If controller OK, hire a well service company to evaluate well yield vs. pump capacity. May need flow restrictor or smaller pump.