Although a sizable portion of the population gets water from municipal sources, it has been estimated that more than 15% of people utilize water coming from a well. There are numerous advantages to owning a water well, although proper maintenance of the water well is imperative in providing a suitable and continuous source of clean and drinkable water. The joy of having a fresh drink of water from your well on a hot summer day is not to be underestimated and the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) strongly recommends an annual checkup of your well, performed by a certified water well service company that will provide you with peace of mind. Water well experts have suggested that water well inspection should not be performed by owners since the slightest mistake can lead to very expensive repairs. Nevertheless, proper and adequate water well maintenance should be done throughout the entire year, and some tips for well inspection will be discussed below.
The main benefit of owning a water well is financial, as there is no water bill to pay, resulting in an estimated 60% savings. Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have the authority to regulate private water wells, an additional benefit is that owners have complete control over how and how much water is used.
Drawing from an October 2011 study, the NGWA reported that only 20% of privately owned water wells were equipped with a sanitary well cap, with a mere 8% having a grout seal to keep out contaminants, and that 40% of wells did not meet health standards, with coliform bacteria being cited as a major issue.
Water well maintenance tips:
1. Do not allow snow or leaves to pile up in the immediate surroundings of the well
2. A well that remains idle for an extended period of time, even as short as a week, can cause damage to the well pump in the form of deteriorating seals, and contaminants such as insects can build up
3. Keep toxic materials such as paint. engine oil, fertilizer or waste well away from the well ground, with at least 50 feet recommended
4. Periodically check the well cap and seals for possible cracks
Owners also should be aware of the various tips for well inspection as recommended by the NGWA to ensure the certified water well service company has completed the necessary steps :
1. Water samples are collected then tested for Coliform and E. Coli bacteria, along with nitrates
2. Determine water level and flow before and during pumping to determine well water performance
3. Inspection of water pump and test for functionality
4. Assess sanitary conditions and certify that all well equipment meets local codes and regulations
5. Check air pressure of
storage tank
6. Drain and flush storage tank
7. Check the wellhead for possible damage and bug infestation
8. Well water chlorination as necessary
9. Additional water tests can be performed for iron, manganese or sulfides that can contaminate plumbing system
10. Check water quality, odor and appearance
And those are just the main steps involved in an annual well checkup to maintain proper water well maintenance. After the inspection, the qualified water well service company will provide owners with a detailed report of the well’s overall condition and recommend repairs as necessary. This report should be kept at a safe location for future reference.
Just as regular dental checkups or regular car maintenance are always recommended, appropriate water well maintenance along with being aware of tips for well inspection are critical to having a healthy and reliable source of drinking water. Experts have agreed on the need for a certified water well service company to conduct the annual checkup as they point out to the fact that simply removing the well cap improperly may subject the well to bacteria and other contaminant infestation, of particular importance if children or women during pregnancy will be drinking the water. Moreover, water tests can only be performed in a certified lab.
A good time to schedule a water well checkup would be in the spring, ahead of the hot summer, when water use will peak. There is nothing like enjoying a nice fresh lemonade under the shade tree while watering the yard, while people who rely on municipal water sources could be facing water rationing.
Exercising proper water well maintenance while keeping in mind the previous tips for well inspection will inevitably lead to long term savings, not to mention the satisfaction of having at your fingertips water that is probably superior in quality than water found in water bottles. So, if your water well has not received its checkup lately, contact your water well service company today.
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