Selma's main water system runs on the town's own groundwater wells, but those pumps belong to the town, not to homeowners on town lines. Homes in outlying 27576 areas that have their own private wells are the ones dealing with pumps, switches and pressure tanks. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Selma.
Wells under the town, and wells in the yard
Selma is unusual among Johnston County towns: its main system draws from the town's own groundwater wells (Wells #1 and #3 through #10) and disinfects with chlorine rather than chloramine. A separate Selma-Countyline system delivers surface water bought from Johnston County East. Either way, if you get a Selma water bill, the pumps are the town's to maintain. Private wells are a different matter, and outlying 27576 homes may have them, though no count exists. About 55% of Selma's homes were built before 1980, so many plumbing systems here are getting older.
What to do now
- Figure out whose problem it is. On town water, check with neighbors or the town first; on a private well, keep going.
- Turn off a runaway pump. A pump that won't stop should be shut off at its breaker.
- Check the breaker once. If it trips again right after a reset, leave it off.
- Read the gauge. Zero pressure, low pressure or pressure bouncing up and down each points somewhere different.
- Look and listen at the tank. Rapid clicking, water on the floor or a hissing fitting are all worth mentioning when you call.
Signs and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No water on a private well | Pump failure, control box fault or a dead pressure switch |
| Rapid cycling | Waterlogged tank or a clogged switch tube |
| Low pressure on town water | Old galvanized pipe, leak or valve on the owner's side |
| Pump hums, no flow | Seized motor or failed start capacitor |
| Air spitting from taps | Leak in the drop pipe or a low water level in the well |
Cost factors
- Whether the fix is the switch, the tank, the control box or the pump
- How deep the pump sits and the pump type
- Extra parts that are worn, especially on older rural systems
- Access to the wellhead and the tank
- Whether the pressure tank is replaced along with a new pump so it doesn't short cycle
- Permits: Selma's process starts with town zoning approval, then Johnston County Building Inspections
On town water, a sudden change in clarity or pressure across the neighborhood is a question for the Town of Selma before it's a plumbing call. On a private well, a change like that is a good reason to have the water tested once the repair is done.
Well Pump Repair questions in Selma
My town's water comes from wells. Do I have a pump to maintain?
How can I tell if my house is on a private well or public water?
I'm on public water and my pressure dropped. Could a pump be the cause?
Does replacing a well pump need a permit, and who issues it?
More plumbing services in Selma
Well Pump Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: