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Regular well inspections important
Often, private water well owners don’t have a professional look at their well systems until something goes wrong. That may be understandable, but it’s not wise considering the importance of a reliable, safe drinking water supply.
A routine well inspection can:
- Help ensure the well system is operating properly
- Prolong the system’s useful life
- Discover water quality problems that present a health risk.
The National Ground Water Association recommends well systems be inspected annually by a licensed or certified water well system professional.
A professional inspection should include the following:
- A visual inspection of the wellhead
- A visual inspection of the well system components and other equipment
- A physical inspection of the well system components.
Conditions that warrant a water well system inspection include:
- Anytime the well has been opened up (the well cap or seal removed)
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- A new odor, taste, or cloudiness to the water
- The well is not producing as much water as before
- A positive water test result for coliform bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, or another potential health concern.
Between professional inspections, well owners should watch their well systems closely. Use the Tip Sheet checklist below to examine the wellhead area for:
- Corrosion or deterioration of components
- Components that appear loose or ajar
- New potential groundwater contamination sources
- Pooling water around the wellhead
- Plant root systems within 10 feet of the wellhead.
If any of these conditions are evident, discuss them with a qualified water well system professional.
For more information, visit www.WellOwner.org.
Four reasons to test your water
Following at least are four good reasons to test your well water:
- To protect your family: It’s hard to imagine a head of household knowingly feeding his or her family members something that was harmful to their health. Yet, when well owners do not test their water, they could unknowingly be allowing their families to drink unsafe water.
- Others are doing it: Regular water testing is a normal stewardship practice for many well owners. If it makes sense for them, it makes sense for you to test your water.
- To gain peace of mind: Is it really worth wondering or worrying about the safety of your water? Get some peace of mind and test it.
- To maintain your property’s value: Chances are a property that doesn’t have safe drinking water will be less valuable than one that does. Protect your investment by testing the water and acting to protect water quality.
Free lessons, webinars coming
Beginning in January, 15 short well owner lessons will be available for free on www.WellOwner.org. Six more lessons should be available by mid-February covering well inspections, well cleaning, and well disinfection as well as water quality issues involving lead, uranium, and septic systems.
Also, the Private Well Class will offer a January 20 free webinar, "Is My Water Safe to Drink? Common Questions about Private Wells." Click here to register.
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