Our friends over at WellOwner.org recommend getting your well inspected every year to make sure everything is operating in peak condition.
We wanted to use National Groundwater Awareness Week to remind you to schedule your checkup.
Schedule Your Annual Water Well Checkup
Wells can provide drinking water of the highest quality.
Owning a private household-supply water well allows homeowners to control their water supply. Ownership also comes with the responsibility of keeping the water well in good working order.
Why Is a Checkup Important?
A properly constructed and maintained household-supply well will provide you with many years of quality service.
The National Ground Water Association recommends routine annual maintenance checks to ensure the proper operation of the well, prolong its years of service, and monitor the water quality.
Routine inspection of a water well system can help ensure it is operating properly, prolong its useful life, and protect your investment. Most importantly, inspections can protect your health by discovering issues that could result in water quality problems presenting a health risk.
What Does a Checkup Involve?
Wells should be evaluated annually by a licensed or certified water well systems professional.
Your checkup should include:
- A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping (if possible), pump motor performance (check amp load, grounding, and line voltage), and pressure tank and pressure switch contact.
- An inspection of your well’s equipment to assure that it is sanitary and meets local code requirements.
- A test of your water for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides, and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor. Changes in these constituents also may indicate changes in your well or local groundwater. Additional tests may be recommended if water appears cloudy or oily, if bacterial growth is visible on fixtures, or water treatment devices are not working as they should. Check with your water well contractor, state department of natural resources, or local health department for information on local water quality issues.
- A concise, clear, written report should be delivered to you following the checkup that explains results and recommendations and includes all laboratory and other test results.
