Prevention Is Key To Water Well Maintenance

15 November 2017
 Categories: Environmental, Blog

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The best way to prolong the life of water wells is consistent maintenance and evaluation. Continual maintenance prevents expensive problems and protects your investment and your health. Yearly checkups completed by a certified water well system professional are an important part of maintaining your well, but there are also several things you can do regularly to keep your well running smoothly.

Visually Examining the Well Head

Check the casing (the pipe that extends from the ground). If it protrudes more than 12" from the ground level, call a professional.

Make sure the well cap on top of the casing is securely attached and the seals are in place. If you have a vented well cap, make sure there is nothing to obstruct the air flow, like leaves or other debris.

If there are any electrical components, inspect them occasionally to verify all the wiring and other connections are secure.

Inspect the Area Around the Well

The area surrounding the well can be just as important as the well head itself. Regularly verify that there are not any harmful substances within fifty feet of the well that could leak into the soil. Especially watch for paint, motor oil, fertilizer, pesticides, or other chemicals.

Other things to keep at least fifty feet away from the well include livestock and any animal kennels or pastures.

Also, any vegetation with roots needs to be kept at least ten feet away from the well.

The ground surrounding the well needs to be sloping away from the wellhead. This is to prevent any collection of surface runoff.

Other Components to Consider

Keep a careful eye on your water. If there is any variation in the color, taste, or odor of the water, make sure to contact a water well professional to test the water.

If there is any change in the pressure of the water or if it is not producing as much water as usual, contact a professional.

There is a lot of other equipment that accompanies a water well, like water tanks, filtration systems, water softeners and conditioners, and other above-ground pumping equipment. Maintain them according to the manufacturer's directions, and inspect the equipment for any seal leaks, rust, or other signs of weakened fittings.

In reviewing and maintaining your well, make sure you keep track of your water well records. You may need to reference certain paper work, such as water testing results, annual maintenance records, and the original construction reports. Taking the time to maintain your well will pay off in the long run.