Maintaining your Residential Well
A residential well can provide you with a great deal of water, but if it goes unused for too long, it can become damaged. When the well is not in use, the water needs to be pumped out of the well to prevent contamination and deterioration. This ensures that your well remains clean and safe for drinking when you need it most.
But, this isn’t the only maintenance requirement to keep a quality well. Beneath are a few concepts to consider for clean water.
Testing Your Well Water
Part of keeping your well in working condition is monitoring the water quality. This can help you determine if your well is contaminated or needs additional maintenance. If there are any contaminants in the water, it can cause sickness and illness. Testing is also important because it ensures that the water you drink is safe for consumption.
- You should have your well tested regularly for bacteria and other contaminants.
- A good rule of thumb is to have your well tested at least once a year, especially if you live in an area where there is a lot of groundwater contamination.
- If your water contains high levels of nitrates or bacteria, then you may want to consider using another source of water until the problem has been resolved.
Keep Hazardous Chemicals Out
Such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides can be very harmful to your health. They can get into the groundwater through runoff after heavy rains or improper storage of chemicals onsite. If you live in an area where there are a lot of farms nearby, this is especially important. You can test your water for these types of chemicals by sending a water sample to the lab.
Check Well’s Mechanical Systems
If your well is old, it may be in need of some repairs. If you are unsure if your well needs servicing, then contact the local utility company and ask for their advice on how to care for an existing well. It is also a good idea to have a professional come out and inspect your water system at least once every two years.
An expert knows what to look for, and can give you advice on how to keep your system in good working order.
If you suspect there is something wrong with your well, then contact a professional to come out and take a look. You can also check for leaks in the pipes leading from your home to the wellhead by testing for loss of pressure in your water system.
Check Your Well Cover
Make sure that your well is covered properly. If it isn’t, then rain and wind can get into it, causing contamination and damage. The cover should be watertight and well-fitted, with no gaps for rain or wind to get in. It should also have a strong lock to stop people from tampering with it.
Watch When Mowing or Landscaping Near Your Residential Well
If you mow or landscape near your well, then be careful not to drive over the top. When you do, then damage can be caused and this could result in contamination of the water supply. If there is no other way but to work around the well, then take precautions by putting up a barrier between yourself, your equipment, and the well.
These tips might help you keep your system in working order, but if you suspect a problem, contact our experts at Accurate Drilling. We’ll know exactly how to help you.
