Home-Wizard.com Guide to Well Water Maintenance including free automatic reminders

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Interactive Home Maintenance Guide

Well Water Maintenance

To maintain the safety and useful life of your well water pump system, it is important that your home maintenance program include the proper maintenance for your well water pump system.

Groundwater is typically clean and safe for consumption, because the overlying soil acts as a filter which enables the groundwater to be typically free of disease-carrying microorganisms. However, contamination may occur after a break in the pump casing, or as a result of contaminated surface water entering the well.

Shown below are the two recommended routine maintenance tasks for your well water pump system.

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		Maintenance Task #1: Water quality testing

		How do you test well water quality?
		Well water should be tested regularly for bacterial contamination, and should be tested for chemical contamination if it is suspected. Check with your local board of health for the proper procedures.

		Why is it important to test well water quality?
		Health and safety.

		How often should you test well water quality?
		Well water quality should be tested three times per year (April, August, December). The best time to sample your well is when the probability of contamination is the greatest: in early spring after the thaw; after an extended dry spell; following heavy rains; or after lengthy periods of non-use.

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is very low.

		The benefits of this task are very high, as it helps ensure that the water in your home is safe to drink.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #2: Inspect well and pump

		How do you inspect a well and its pump?
		Inspection should include the following tasks: Well cap: Ensure that the well cap is securely in place and watertight. Well casing: Joints, cracks, and connections in the well casing should be sealed. Pump: The well pump should be serviced in accordance with your manufacturer's recommendation. Pipes: Pipes should be inspected for signs of leaking or cracks. Surface drainage: Surface drainage should flow away from the well casing, and surface water should not be allowed to collect near the well. The well should not be located downhill from any source of pollution.

		Why is it important to inspect a well and its pump?
		Safety. Proper maintenance of your well and periodic testing of the water ensures the water remains safe for healthy consumption.

		How often should you inspect a well and its pump?
		Perform at least once per year (April).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task can be significant from an investment of time, depending on the age of your well and pump.

		The benefits of this task are very high, as it helps ensure that the water in your home is safe to drink.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS from "Ask-the-Wizard":

QUESTION from "kevintforster":

We have a well pump. Every morning when we use the shower or faucets for the first time that day, the water pressure drops and sounds as if air is in the lines. It only happens for a short time.

ANSWER:

kevintforster:

Since you said that you lose water pressure from your well water system the first time you use it in the morning and that it sounds like there is 'air' in the lines, it makes me think that you may be seeing the effects of methane gas building up in your water supply.

If you had a leak in your plumbing, valves or holding tank, it would likely have entrained air all of the time. But since it sounds like you are seeing the problem only first thing, after not using your system all night, then the suspect may be methane gas that builds up overnight.

A test for this is to turn on a faucet first thing in the morning in a very WELL-VENTILATED room and with a long-stemmed match, try to light the gas that comes out. Air will not burn, but methane will. Be very careful doing this, and if you have any questions about it, leave it to a professional.

To correct excessive gases in a well water system (whether it is methane or any other gas) you may need to consider an aeration system. If you go to www.wqa.org, you should be able to find a certified water specialist in our area who can advise you.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Home-Wizard.com
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