Operations & Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your well is required to ensure the continued safety of your water and to monitor for the presence of any contaminants. The National Ground Water Association provides information to help you schedule a wellwater check up, or you can learn “How to Get Information on Wells Where You Live“, below. If you still have questions, take a look at the Well Water FAQ.

According to the National Ground Water Association, here are some steps you can take to help protect your well:

• Wells should be checked and tested ANNUALLY for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of certain contaminants, such as coliform bacteria, nitrates/nitrites, and any other contaminants of local concern, (for example, arsenic and radon).
• Well water should be tested more than once a year if there are recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness among household members or visitors and/or a change in taste, odor, or appearance of the well water.
• All hazardous materials, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil, should be kept far away from your well.
• When mixing chemicals, do not put the hose inside the mixing container, as this can siphon chemicals into a household’s water system.
• Consult a professional contractor to verify that there is proper separation between your well, home, waste systems, and chemical storage facilities.
• Always check the well cover or well cap to ensure it is intact. The top of the well should be at least one foot above the ground.
• Once your well has reached its serviceable life (usually at least 20 years), have a licensed or certified water well driller and pump installer decommission the existing well and construct a new well. For more information visit “Finding a Contractor” (National Ground Water Association).

Annual Inspection
Routine annual maintenance helps ensure the proper operation of the well, prolong its years of service, and monitor water quality.

Routine Maintenance Practices
Learn about maintaining your water well system including annual checks, monitoring well performance, and protecting groundwater.

Homeowner’s Checklist
Properly constructed private water supply systems require little routine maintenance. These simple steps will help protect your system.

Well Logs
A well log contains vital information on the construction of the well and the earth materials and formations surrounding it.

Restoring Flow
The performance of water wells can deteriorate over time. Professional contractors can often “rehabilitate” the well and restore flows.

Water Pressure
Water flows out of taps because of pressure in the water system. Learn more about solving water pressure issues.

Old, Unused Wells
Learn how to address old and unused wells in order to mitigate safety and threats to groundwater quality.

Residential Well Cleaning
The National Ground Water Association encourages well owners to periodically get a water well system checkup.

Well Disinfection
When microorganisms are detected in a well, disinfection of the well system is recommended along with some level of inspection.

Iron Biofouling / Iron Bacteria
Better described as iron biofouling, the problem popularly known as “iron bacteria” is both complex and widespread.

Working with Contractors
Learn the ins and outs of working with a professional water well contractor, from finding and selecting a contractor to contract guidelines.