Well Maintenance

Overview of 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, (e.g., 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).

How to Get Information on Wells Where You Live

For more information, visit one of the links below or contact your local health department or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

• Well Water Information Based on Where You Live (Environmental Protection Agency)
• State Certified Drinking Water Laboratories (Environmental Protection Agency)

For Rural Residents and Farmers

A private well owner informational booklet for farmers and rural area residents can be ordered through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs in Ontario, Canada:

• Best Management Practice Series: Water Wells (Revised Edition 2003)

• Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.