1. Executive Summary & Colorado Front Range Groundwater Hydrogeology
Across the western rural fringes of the Colorado Front Range — encompassing the foothills of Boulder County, unincorporated Broomfield, Golden, Arvada, and Lyons — tens of thousands of residential and light commercial properties operate entirely independent of municipal water utility grids. These facilities rely exclusively on private domestic groundwater wells drawing from deep bedrock aquifers, including the Denver Basin aquifer system (comprising the Upper and Lower Dawson, Denver, Arapahoe, and Laramie-Fox Hills formations) as well as fractured crystalline Precambrian granite in the mountainous foothill elevations.
Operating a private well system in Colorado presents formidable environmental and physical challenges rarely encountered in low-altitude coastal regions. Foothill aquifers frequently demand deep drilling depths ranging from 250 feet to over 850 feet below ground surface to encounter sustainable fractured water-bearing zones. These subterranean depths impose immense hydrostatic head pressures upon submersible pumping equipment. Compounding this physical demand is Colorado’s intricate groundwater hydrochemistry: raw well water along the Front Range is notoriously mineral-dense, exhibiting elevated concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium carbonates (total hardness frequently exceeding 20 grains per gallon or 340 mg/L), dissolved silica, soluble ferrous iron (Fe2+), and naturally occurring sulfates. Furthermore, seasonal snowpack runoff dynamics and multi-year regional drought cycles generate dramatic swings in dynamic water tables, causing static water levels to fluctuate by dozens of feet between spring thaw and late autumn.
When a rural homeowner or facility manager experiences sudden loss of water pressure, rapid pressure cycling (‘well pump rapid chattering’), air spitting violently from kitchen faucets, or discolored rusty sediment discharge, diagnosing the root cause requires a profound mastery of fluid mechanics, electrical motor controls, pneumatic pressure vessel thermodynamics, and Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) regulatory statutes. This comprehensive engineering guide deconstructs every critical component of modern residential and light commercial well pump systems, delivering actionable diagnostic protocols for Front Range property owners.
2. Submersible Deep Well Pumps vs. Jet Pumps: Fluid Mechanics & Operating Principles
The core prime mover of any private water supply is the well pump assembly. In modern Colorado installations, groundwater extraction falls into two distinct mechanical configurations: Submersible Deep Well Pumps and Above-Ground Jet Pumps (Shallow Well or Convertible Deep Well).
2.1 Submersible Deep Well Pumps: Multi-Stage Centrifugal Physics
In over 95 percent of Front Range and foothill well installations, Submersible Pumps represent the undisputed industry engineering standard. Unlike surface pumps that attempt to create a vacuum to draw water upward against atmospheric limits, a submersible pump operates submerged deep within the water column, utilizing multi-stage centrifugal impellers to push water upward under high positive hydrostatic pressure.
A standard 4-inch deep-well submersible pump assembly consists of a hermetically sealed, water-cooled electric motor (typically 0.5 HP to 5.0 HP, 230V single-phase) coupled directly beneath a multi-stage pump wet end. The wet end houses a vertical stack of precision-machined thermoplastic (Noryl or Celcon) or stainless steel impellers and matching stationary diffusers. As the electric motor rotates the central spline shaft at 3,450 RPM, each impeller imparts kinetic centrifugal velocity to the fluid, hurling water outward toward the diffuser periphery. The diffuser converts this kinetic velocity into static hydraulic pressure before directing the fluid into the eye of the subsequent impeller stage.
The total dynamic head (TDH) developed by a multi-stage submersible pump is calculated utilizing the fundamental hydraulic head equation:
TDH = H_static + H_friction + H_pressure + H_elevation
Where H_static represents the vertical distance (in feet) from the dynamic pumping water level inside the well casing to the surface well head; H_friction is the cumulative friction head loss (in feet) generated across the vertical drop pipe, pitless adapter, check valves, and horizontal supply line to the pressure tank; H_pressure is the equivalent head required to satisfy the home’s operating pressure switch (1 PSI = 2.31 feet of water column; therefore a 60 PSI cut-out requires 138.6 feet of head); and H_elevation accounts for any vertical topographic rise between the well casing and the pressure tank inside the home.
Because each impeller stage generates a specific head increment (typically 15 to 25 feet of head per stage depending on flow rating), a well drilled to 450 feet in the Boulder foothills with a 50 PSI system operating requirement demands a 20-stage to 28-stage pump end capable of developing over 550 feet of TDH while maintaining a continuous domestic delivery flow rate of 10 to 15 GPM.
2.2 Above-Ground Jet Pumps: The Venturi Ejector Limitation
Above-ground jet pumps are occasionally encountered in legacy homesteads or shallow alluvial wells adjacent to Front Range river corridors (such as St. Vrain Creek or Boulder Creek) where the static water table rests shallower than 25 feet. A jet pump combines a standard single-stage surface centrifugal impeller with a Venturi nozzle-and-venturi-tube ejector assembly.
The physical operational limitation of any suction-lift surface pump is governed by atmospheric pressure. At sea level, standard atmospheric pressure is 14.7 PSI, theoretically capable of supporting a 33.9-foot column of water. However, at Colorado Front Range elevations (5,280 to 6,500 feet), atmospheric pressure drops to approximately 11.8-12.2 PSI, reducing maximum theoretical suction lift to under 27 feet. In practical application, accounting for water vapor pressure, fluid friction, and impeller cavitation, standard shallow-well jet pumps cannot reliably lift water from depths exceeding 18 to 20 feet in Colorado. If the water table drops below this threshold during dry summer months, the pump loses its prime instantaneously, running dry and destroying its mechanical ceramic shaft seal within minutes.
3. Bladder & Diaphragm Pressure Tanks: Boyle’s Law & Hydraulic Storage Dynamics
A widespread misconception among homeowners is that the well pump runs continuously whenever a faucet is turned on. In an engineered system, running an electric motor for every cup of water drawn would trigger rapid motor overheating, contactor welding, and premature capacitor burnout. The vital buffer that stabilizes water delivery and prevents pump short-cycling is the Hydro-Pneumatic Pressure Tank.
3.1 Thermodynamics of Diaphragm vs. Bladder Pressure Tanks
Modern pressure tanks feature a heavy-gauge welded steel or composite fiberglass outer pressure shell containing an internal flexible butyl rubber or EPDM diaphragm that permanently isolates the potable water chamber from a sealed, pre-pressurized air/nitrogen cushion. Unlike obsolete galvanized ‘air-over-water’ tanks that required frequent manual air injection to combat waterlogging, diaphragm and captive bladder tanks never allow air to dissolve directly into the water.
The operation of a pressure tank is governed strictly by Boyle’s Ideal Gas Law for isothermal compression:
P_1 * V_1 = P_2 * V_2
Where P_1 and V_1 represent the initial pre-charge pressure and volume of the trapped air cushion when the water chamber is completely empty, and P_2 and V_2 represent the pressure and compressed volume of the air cushion when the pump reaches its maximum cut-out pressure threshold.
As the submersible pump discharges water into the bottom of the tank, water fills the flexible bladder, expanding upward and compressing the trapped air above it. As the air volume (V) decreases, the system pressure (P) rises proportionately until it reaches the calibrated cut-out pressure on the electromechanical pressure switch (typically 50 PSI or 60 PSI), opening the electrical circuit and de-energizing the pump. When a plumbing fixture inside the home opens, the compressed air expands, acting as a pneumatic spring that forcefully expels water out of the tank into the household fixtures without requiring the well pump to start.
3.2 Usable Drawdown Calculation & Tank Sizing Equations
The actual volume of water discharged from a pressure tank between the moment the pump shuts off (cut-out) and the moment it restarts (cut-in) is termed the Usable Drawdown. Because air is compressible while water is fundamentally incompressible, a nominal 85-gallon pressure tank does not hold 85 gallons of usable water; under standard 40/60 PSI operating parameters, an 85-gallon tank provides a drawdown volume of only approximately 22 to 26 gallons.
To prevent motor winding overheating, submersible motor manufacturers (such as Franklin Electric) mandate that single-phase motors under 1.5 HP must experience a minimum continuous run time of 60 seconds (1 minute) per cycle, while 2.0 HP to 5.0 HP motors demand a minimum run time of 120 seconds (2 minutes). The mathematical equation to determine minimum required pressure tank drawdown capacity is:
V_drawdown = Q_pump * T_runtime
For example, a property in unincorporated Boulder County operating a 1.0 HP pump delivering 12 GPM requires a minimum drawdown of: 12 GPM * 1.0 minute = 12 Gallons. Utilizing manufacturer drawdown multiplier tables for a 40/60 PSI differential (drawdown factor approximately 0.30): Total Tank Volume = 12 / 0.30 = 40 Gallons minimum. Selecting an undersized 20-gallon tank forces the pump to cycle on and off 30 to 40 times an hour, rapidly degrading motor winding insulation and triggering catastrophic switch failure.
4. Electromechanical Pressure Switches & Control Boxes: Calibration & Electrical Diagnostics
The brain of a conventional well system is the Electromechanical Pressure Switch, typically mounted on the brass tank cross tee. The industry gold standard is the Square D Pumptrol (Class 9013), operating on standard 30/50 PSI, 40/60 PSI, or custom pressure ranges.
4.1 Internal Mechanical Calibration: Range Nut vs. Differential Nut
Inside the pressure switch housing beneath the plastic cover are two adjustable spring-loaded adjustment nuts:
- Large Center Nut (Nut #1 – Operating Range): Turning this nut clockwise compresses the primary heavy spring, raising both the cut-in pressure and cut-out pressure simultaneously while maintaining a fixed differential. One complete 360-degree clockwise revolution typically raises system operating pressure by approximately 2.5 to 3.0 PSI.
- Small Off-Center Nut (Nut #2 – Differential): Turning this secondary nut clockwise compresses the smaller differential spring, raising only the cut-out (shut-off) pressure while leaving the cut-in pressure virtually unchanged. Standard residential plumbing fixtures are designed for a 20 PSI differential (e.g., cut-in at 40 PSI, cut-out at 60 PSI). Widening this differential beyond 25 PSI causes severe noticeable fluctuations in shower water delivery, while narrowing it below 15 PSI causes erratic short-cycling.
4.2 The Sacred ‘2 PSI Below Cut-In’ Pre-Charge Rule
The single most critical mechanical calibration rule in well plumbing is setting the tank’s dry pneumatic pre-charge pressure. The air pre-charge pressure inside the pressure tank must be set exactly 2.0 PSI lower than the pressure switch cut-in setting while the tank is 100% drained of water.
For a standard 40/60 PSI switch:
Target Air Pre-Charge = 40 PSI (Cut-In) – 2 PSI = 38.0 PSI
If the air pre-charge is set too high (e.g., 42 PSI on a 40/60 system), the rubber bladder completely empties and collapses against the bottom tank opening before the pressure drops to 40 PSI. This creates an instantaneous zero-pressure void; household water stops flowing completely for three to five seconds before the switch contacts can snap shut and energize the pump. Conversely, if the pre-charge is too low (e.g., 25 PSI), the rubber bladder remains excessively stretched and compressed at all times, reducing usable drawdown capacity and causing the bladder to rub abrasively against internal steel weld seams, causing premature puncture rupture.
4.3 Control Boxes: Start Capacitors, Run Capacitors & Potential Relays
Submersible well motors are classified as either 2-Wire or 3-Wire systems. 2-wire motors contain internal, hermetically sealed starting components down in the well motor. While easier to install initially, if the internal starting switch or capacitor fails, the entire pump must be pulled hundreds of feet out of the ground at immense labor expense.
Professional Front Range plumbing installations overwhelmingly mandate 3-Wire Motors paired with an above-ground Control Box mounted adjacent to the pressure tank. A 3-wire control box houses three critical electrical components:
- Electrolytic Start Capacitor: Provides massive phase-shifted capacitive starting torque (typically 100 to 250 microfarads at 220V) to break the submersible motor loose from static inertia and spin it up to operating speed within 0.2 seconds.
- Potential Voltage Relay: Senses counter-electromotive force (CEMF) generated across the motor auxiliary start winding. Once the motor reaches 75% to 80% of rated synchronous speed, the relay coil energizes, snapping normally-closed contacts open to instantly disconnect the high-amp start capacitor from the circuit.
- Running Capacitor (in Deluxe / CRC Control Boxes): Operates continuously in series with the start winding during active pumping, improving running power factor, dampening harmonic vibrations, and lowering continuous electrical amp draw by 15% to 20%.
5. In-Depth Diagnostic Matrix: Failure Modes & Root-Cause Analysis
When well water systems fail, certified master plumbers follow an empirical diagnostic workflow utilizing digital multimeters, clamp-on amp meters, and analog pressure gauges:
| Symptom Profile | Physical Root Cause | Electrical / Mechanical Testing | Master Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pump Rapid Cycles Every Few Seconds When Tap is On | Waterlogged pressure tank (ruptured internal diaphragm) | Depress Schrader air valve stem on top of tank. Water spitting out proves ruptured bladder. Zero pneumatic buffer remains. | Replace waterlogged pressure tank; verify new tank pre-charge at 2 PSI below cut-in before water connection. |
| Clicking Sound at Switch, Motor Hums & Trips Breaker | Blown start capacitor, seized relay, or jammed pump wet end | Measure capacitance with microfarad meter. Check locked rotor amp (LRA) draw with clamp meter. LRA above 40A indicates mechanical seizure. | Replace start capacitor / potential relay in control box. If winding resistance reads grounded/open, pull pump assembly. |
| Pressure Drops Steadily With Zero Household Water Use | Failed down-hole check valve or cracked pitless adapter / drop pipe | Isolate household main shutoff. If pressure gauge falls back to cut-in, water is siphoning back down into well casing. | Pull well drop pipe; replace spring-loaded poppet check valve directly above pump discharge head; pressure test drop pipe. |
| Air Sputtering & Turbid Muddy Discharge at Faucets | Aquifer drawdown below pump intake level (dry well condition) | Deploy sonic water level indicator down casing to measure dynamic water table under pumping load. | Install digital dry-run electronic motor protector (PumpSaver); lower pump if casing depth permits, or install intermediate cistern storage. |
| Motor Runs Continuously, Gauge Never Reaches Cut-Out | Worn pump impellers (sand abrasion) or split poly drop pipe | Motor draws normal running amps (FLA) but cannot build head above 35-45 PSI. | Pull well; replace worn multi-stage wet end; inspect for cracked drop pipe split from frost or torque twisting. |
6. Well Head Anatomy: Sanitary Seals, Pitless Adapters & Freeze Protection
In Colorado, sub-zero winter temperatures can penetrate soil to depths of 36 to 48 inches. To protect the well supply from catastrophic freezing while preventing surface biological contamination, professional well plumbing adheres strictly to Colorado Division of Water Resources Well Construction Rules (2 CCR 402-2):
6.1 Pitless Adapter Engineering & Frost Depth
Decades ago, wells were terminated in underground concrete pits to prevent freezing. However, well pits frequently filled with surface runoff, animal waste, and rotting matter, directly siphoning dangerous pathogens into the drinking aquifer. In modern Colorado construction, well pits are strictly prohibited.
Instead, certified installers utilize a Pitless Adapter. The well casing extends vertically 12 to 18 inches above finished grade, crowned with an insect-screened, watertight sanitary well cap. Below ground, at a depth of 5.0 to 6.0 feet (well beneath the Front Range maximum frost line), a precision hole is cut into the steel or PVC casing. The pitless adapter is installed through this port, creating a slide-lock brass tapered wedge fitting with replaceable Buna-N O-rings. The vertical drop pipe carrying the pump threads into the female wedge bracket, allowing the entire pump assembly to be lowered into the well and locked into the casing wall with an airtight, watertight seal. The supply line then runs horizontally through the foundation wall directly into the home’s utility room without ever being exposed to freezing air.
6.2 Drop Pipe Material Selection: Rigid Sch 80 PVC vs. 200 PSI PE
When selecting drop pipe to suspend a heavy pump, motor, and water column down a 400-foot well, material specifications are paramount:
- Schedule 80 Rigid PVC (Drop Pipe Coupled): Engineered for deep wells (exceeding 300 feet). Features precision-machined stainless steel or heavy PVC threaded couplings with high tensile pull-out strength. Schedule 80 PVC exhibits zero corrosion, high rigidity to resist motor start-up torque twist, and minimal friction loss.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE / 200 PSI SIDR-7): Flexible, continuous coil pipe utilized for shallow to medium-depth installations (under 250 feet). Must be clamped with double all-stainless-steel gear clamps over extra-long brass insert barbs. Torque arrestors must be installed directly above the pump to prevent the flexible pipe from twisting against the well casing on motor start.
7. Real-World Front Range Case Studies
Case Study 1: Complete Water Loss in Coal Creek Canyon Foothills
A residential estate in Coal Creek Canyon suffered complete water failure during a mid-winter cold snap with temperatures at minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit. The homeowner suspected frozen pipes and had placed space heaters around the pressure tank to no avail. Our master well diagnostic unit was dispatched with a mobile generator and diagnostic test bench.
Testing at the well head electrical disconnect revealed normal 240V supply voltage, but the clamp meter registered zero amp draw. Resistance testing across the 3-wire drop cable (Black, Yellow, Red leads) showed infinite resistance (open circuit) between the common yellow wire and black main winding. Utilizing an electric cable fault locator, our team identified an open conductor 280 feet down the well casing. We mobilized our crane service truck, pulled the 360-foot Schedule 80 drop string, and discovered that the absence of torque arrestors had allowed the submersible motor to twist violently upon every startup cycle, eventually chafing the submersible pump cable against the rough fractured granite casing until the copper conductor sheared.
We installed heavy-duty rubber torque arrestors every 50 feet, rewound the drop assembly with 10-AWG double-jacketed submersible wire, installed a brand-new stainless steel check valve, and re-seated the pitless adapter. System pressure was restored to 60 PSI within five hours of arrival.
Case Study 2: Extreme Iron Ochre Scale in Unincorporated Longmont / Weld County
A commercial equestrian boarding facility in rural Weld County reported rapid pump cycling, cloudy orange water, and burnt electrical smells from the utility room. Testing revealed the pressure tank was completely waterlogged, and the pressure switch contact points were burned and pitted.
Upon removing the 1-inch brass nipple feeding the pressure switch, our technicians discovered it was 100% plugged with rock-hard iron ochre and calcium scale. The switch was blinded to system pressure, holding the pump energized continuously until the motor’s internal thermal overload clicked off on high heat. We replaced the pressure tank with an 86-gallon ASME diaphragm tank, installed a new Square D 40/60 switch with an anti-sediment cleanout port, and installed an automatic backwashing catalytic carbon and birm iron filtration system upstream of the pressure tank. Water clarity was restored to crystal clear, and the pump operating amperage dropped from 11.2A to 7.8A.
8. Constant Pressure VFD Systems: The Modern Luxury Upgrade
In high-end Front Range custom homes with multiple luxury showers, irrigation zones, and hydronic heating loops, conventional 40/60 PSI pressure tanks result in noticeable pressure surges and dips. The pinnacle of modern well engineering is the Constant Pressure Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Controller, such as the Franklin Electric SubDrive or Grundfos CU301.
A VFD system replaces the mechanical pressure switch with an electronic solid-state ceramic pressure transducer. Instead of running the motor at a fixed 3,450 RPM, the VFD microprocessor continuously modulates the AC frequency (from 30 Hz to 60 Hz or even 80 Hz on specialized motors). If a single sink is opened, the VFD gently spins the pump at 35 Hz to deliver exactly 2 GPM at a locked 60.0 PSI. If four showers, laundry, and lawn sprinklers open simultaneously, the VFD instantly ramps motor speed up to 60 Hz, maintaining a dead-flat 60.0 PSI without a single flicker of pressure fluctuation. Furthermore, VFD systems soft-start the motor, completely eliminating mechanical startup torque, extending submersible motor lifespan by up to 300 percent, and utilizing a compact 2-gallon to 4-gallon accumulator tank instead of a massive 85-gallon footprint.
9. Annual Well System Health & Preventative Maintenance Protocol
To avoid sudden complete water outages during freezing Colorado winters, master well technicians perform a comprehensive 7-point annual system audit:
- Electrical Megohmmeter (Megger) Insulation Resistance Test: Utilizing an insulation resistance tester applying 500V or 1,000V DC between the motor leads and ground. A healthy motor exhibits resistance above 20 Megohms. Resistance reading between 0.5 and 1.0 Megohm indicates impending motor stator insulation failure, allowing proactive replacement before emergency winter breakdown.
- Operating Current & Full Load Amperage (FLA) Verification: Measure running amp draw across each conductor using a calibrated true-RMS clamp meter. An amp draw exceeding 105% of rated FLA signifies bearing friction, mechanical impeller drag, or low supply voltage.
- Tank Pneumatic Pre-Charge Verification: Turn off pump circuit breaker, drain the pressure tank 100% dry, and measure air pressure at the top Schrader valve using a certified dial pressure gauge. Re-pressurize to exactly 2 PSI below switch cut-in.
- Pressure Switch Mechanical Cleanout: Remove the 1/4-inch pressure sensing line or brass nipple. Clear any accumulated calcium, rust, or iron ochre sludge that could blind the sensing diaphragm. Inspect silver contact points for pitting or insect infestation.
- Check Valve Sealing Hold Test: Observe the system pressure gauge for 15 minutes with all household plumbing isolated. Any drop in pressure confirms down-hole check valve leakage or lateral pipe fracture.
- Well Head Sanitary Inspection: Inspect the above-ground casing for structural cracking, verify the sanitary rubber seal gasket is intact, and confirm the fine-mesh screened air vent is clear of dirt daubers, spiders, and debris.
- Comprehensive Certified Water Quality Assay: Draw untreated raw groundwater samples from the well tank drain valve and submit to a state-certified laboratory for potability testing: Total Coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrates/nitrites, lead, arsenic, fluoride, radon, and total dissolved solids (TDS) per CDPHE drinking water guidelines.
10. Comprehensive Well Pump FAQ Section
How long does a submersible well pump typically last in Colorado?
Under ideal operating conditions with a properly sized pressure tank and clean water, a high-quality submersible well pump (Franklin, Goulds, Grundfos) exhibits an average operational lifespan of 12 to 18 years. However, high concentrations of abrasive quartz sand, iron bacteria, severe mineral scale, or chronic short-cycling caused by a waterlogged pressure tank can destroy pump impellers and motor windings in as little as 3 to 5 years.
How do I know if my pressure tank is waterlogged?
The two classic indicators of a waterlogged pressure tank are: (1) Rapid short-cycling: Your well pump clicks on and off every few seconds whenever a faucet is running; (2) The Knock Test and Schrader Valve Test: The pressure tank feels heavy and cold all the way to the top rim, sounding dull when tapped rather than hollow. Depressing the air tire valve (Schrader valve) on top of the tank expels a stream of water instead of pure compressed air, proving the internal rubber diaphragm has ruptured.
Can a lightning strike or Front Range thunderstorm kill my well pump?
Yes. The Colorado Front Range experiences some of the highest lightning flash densities in the western United States. A nearby cloud-to-ground strike can induce massive transient electrical surges through the utility grid or directly down the metal well casing into the water table, frying control box capacitors and punching through the submersible motor’s epoxy stator winding insulation. Professional installations must incorporate heavy-duty surge arrestors (such as the Delta LA-302) hardwired directly across the pump disconnect box.
What should I do if my well runs completely out of water?
Immediately shut off the dedicated double-pole 230V circuit breaker powering the well pump at your main electrical panel. Allowing a submersible pump to run dry without water flow causes the motor to overheat rapidly (as it relies on water flow across the motor shroud for cooling) and melts the internal thermoplastic impellers within minutes. Contact a licensed master well technician to measure dynamic aquifer recovery rates and evaluate installing low-yield protection systems or a secondary atmospheric holding cistern.
11. Conclusion & 24/7 Front Range Well System Dispatch
Your private well water system is an intricate engineering assembly where hydrodynamics, high-voltage electrical circuitry, and sub-surface geology converge. Treating well problems with guesswork or unqualified handymen risks severe down-hole damage, aquifer cross-contamination, and thousands of dollars in unnecessary replacement expenses. By understanding the core mechanics of multi-stage centrifugal lift, the mathematics of Boyle’s law pressure buffering, and the critical calibration of pressure switch differentials, Front Range property owners can safeguard their most precious domestic asset: an uninterrupted supply of pure, pressurized drinking water.
When your well pump fails, pressure tanks rupture, or foothill freeze events compromise your water supply in Boulder, Broomfield, Golden, Lyons, or rural Adams County, our fully equipped well diagnostic fleet stands ready with boom crane trucks, electronic down-hole video cameras, digital motor analyzers, and certified master plumbers on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.