Well maintenance checklist for homeowners
Once a year, test for bacteria and nitrate, walk out to the wellhead and check the cap and casing, and keep chemicals and runoff away from it. Have a licensed well contractor check the pump, pressure tank and flow. Keep every test result and repair record in one place.
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Walk out to the wellhead once a year.
You can do this part yourself. Here's what the National Ground Water Association and the Minnesota Department of Health say to look for:
- The casing sticks up out of the ground. At least 12 inches, per the National Ground Water Association. Minnesota says at least 1 foot.
- The cap is on tight. It should be securely attached, with the seals in good shape. The EPA says a well cap or sanitary seal keeps people and things out of the well.
- The ground slopes away from the well. Rain and runoff should drain away, never pool around the casing.
- No plants with root systems within 10 feet. The National Ground Water Association says to clear them out.
- Nothing that could pollute sits close by. The EPA says not to mix or use pesticides, fertilizer, fuel or degreasers near the well. Keep kennels, pastures and livestock at least 50 feet away.
If the well sits in a pit below ground, Minnesota recommends having a contractor extend the casing above ground. Flood water and runoff can flow into a pit and down the well.
Have a contractor check the equipment.
The National Ground Water Association recommends a yearly checkup by a licensed well contractor. It covers:
- A flow test, to see how much water the well puts out and how far the water level drops while pumping
- The pump motor: electrical draw, grounding and line voltage
- The pressure tank and pressure switch
- The well's sanitary condition and whether it meets local code
- A water test for coliform bacteria, nitrate and anything common in your area
Minnesota's handbook says wells don't last forever. If yours is old, have it inspected.
Test the water every year.
The CDC and the EPA recommend a yearly test for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids and pH. Test sooner if the taste, smell or color changes, or after any work on the well. See our testing guide for the full list. Your state or county may test private wells for free, so check before you pay.
Keep chemicals out of the septic system.
The EPA says never to pour solvents, fuel, harsh chemicals or pesticides into a septic system or dry well. Have the septic tank pumped and inspected as often as your local health department recommends. Minnesota's handbook lists failing septic systems among the ways bacteria get into a well.
Seal any wells you don't use.
Old unused wells give surface pollution a direct path into the groundwater, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. They're also a safety hazard for children, pets and livestock. Have a licensed well contractor seal them by filling them with grout.
Keep your records in one folder.
The EPA and the National Ground Water Association both say to keep records. Put these in one place:
- The well log or construction report (see finding your well record)
- Every water test result, with dates
- Repairs, pump and pressure tank replacements, and warranties
- Each time you shock chlorinate the well
- Sealing records for any old wells on the property
Year-to-year test results are the easiest way to spot a change.
Questions people ask
How often should a well be inspected?
Once a year, according to the National Ground Water Association. That yearly checkup includes a water test for bacteria and nitrate.
My water suddenly tastes or smells different. What should I do?
Test it. The CDC and the EPA both say to test right away when the taste, color or smell changes. Use bottled water for drinking until you have results.
Should I shock my well every year?
Only if there's a reason, like a positive bacteria test, flooding or repairs. See our shock chlorination guide.
How far should a well be from a septic system?
It depends on local code, so check with your county health department. The National Ground Water Association says distances from waste systems are set by local codes.
What does a well inspection cost?
Prices vary by area and by what's included. Ask 2 or 3 licensed well contractors for a quote that lists each item they'll check.