If you live in a rural area, you may get your water from a private well rather than a municipal treatment plant. When the well is on your property, you’re usually responsible for regular upkeep and servicing to secure acceptable water quality. You can find essential tips to help maintain your water well below to help ensure you have access to safe and clean drinking water in your home.
Have the Well Inspected Regularly
You should have a professional contractor inspect your well at least once a year. These experts can check for any possible mechanical problems that you may need to repair or for pollutants that have seeped into the water. Otherwise, you risk the integrity of your well as well as your health.
Obtain Water Quality Check Any Time You Notice a Change
If you detect any sudden changes in taste, color, or odor, or if there have been significant weather or environmental disruptions, you should have the water tested right away. You should do this right away, as contaminated well water can cause a host of health problems if left untreated. Usually, you can contact your county health department to send someone out to check for potential contamination.
Vigilance Against Exposure to Chemicals
You must keep any potentially hazardous chemicals, such as fertilizer, insecticides, paint, and motor oil, far away from your well. These materials can significantly compromise the well’s safety. Don’t put the hose inside the reaction vessel when combining chemicals, since this can leak chemicals into your home’s water system.
Regularly Inspect Well Cover
Always inspect your well cover or well top for cracks or other signs of deterioration. If you’re doing any landscaping, ensure sure the well top is at least a foot above the ground and that the soil slopes downward from the well for adequate drainage. While most wells have metal or plastic lids, consider welding or bolting the well covers to guarantee they’re secure.
Know Your Well’s Shelf Life
Most wells will last between 20 to 40 years on average. When your well has hit the end of its life span, contact a qualified water well driller and pump installer to decommission it and build a new well. Have the old well sealed off to prevent cross-contamination with the new one.
Following these essential tips to help maintain your water well can ensure your drinking water stays clean and safe to drink. Furthermore, you’ll be able to preserve the quality of your well for an extended period.
