Well Inspections

The first thing you should know about your well is where it is located. Location is important because of the potential for contaminants to enter the water system. Your well should not be located:

• in a driveway or in a high traffic area
• in a cellar
• near septic sources
• near swampy areas
• under trees or in an area with a lot of vegetation covering it
• *Optimal Location for your well would be in an open, sunny area that is clean and accessible and clear of any debris or obstructions.

A good well must be constructed properly. The best type of well is a modern drilled well that consists of a well cap, casing, pump, electrical system, plumbing, pressure tank and filtration if needed.

Things that you should know about your well include:

• age
• type
• casing height and depth
• condition of casing and well cap

Whether you have a brand new well or an older one, you will want to keep a well log or file with any relevant information regarding your water system. Your log should contain information such as:

• age of well
• depth of well
• location
• drilling companies contact info
• water testing results
• well inspection reports
• filtration documents
• schedule for disinfecting If you do not know these things you may be able to obtain the information from the driller, the contractor or the previous owner.

The average homeowner just assumes that their well is providing them with potable water. Unfortunately, this misconception is rarely brought to their attention until it is too late and they find out that they have been drinking contaminated water, sometimes for years. Well systems are mechanical devices and they do break down at times. Poorly maintained or constructed wells can lead to a variety of problems including poor quality water. Certain defects could allow surface water to enter the well and cause contamination, which means that the well is no longer protecting the water supply. As a responsible well owner, you need to carry out a regular program of well maintenance. Good maintenance means testing your water regularly, disinfecting your well every year, keeping the well area clean and accessible, keeping pollutants as far away from the area as possible and periodically having the mechanics of the well system checked.

The well itself should be inspected periodically to ensure tight construction to determine if equipment is functioning properly. General maintenance means having your water tested every year, keeping the area around your well clean, and periodically having the mechanics of your well system checked. If you have never had it checked and are questioning it’s condition you should have a well inspection done. When in doubt, check it out! Other situations that warrant a well inspection:
Real estate transactions Well inspections should be considered essential when buying a home with a private well.
Troubled waters You should have a well inspection done if your water test results indicated bacteria, you disinfected the well and the follow up test still reported present bacteria. A well inspection is the next logical step to investigating where the contamination is coming from.
Compliance issues An inspection may be necessary for reasons such as Title V inspections, to ensure quality of installation, or to locate and/or upgrade an existing older well.