Well Maintenance Checklist
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 14 million households in the United States rely on private wells for drinking water. Therefore, regular water well system maintenance is important, and knowing and practicing the basics of regular well maintenance can reduce the risk of contaminating your drinking water and inconvenient breakdowns. Our water treatment team at North Florida Water Systems Inc has put together a checklist of water well maintenance for you to follow.
For water well maintenance, repairs, and installation, schedule an appointment with our well water experts today!
Pay Attention To Any Change In Water Color Or Taste
Changes in your water’s color or taste are one of the first pieces of evidence that there is a problem with your well. The most common reason for this change can usually be attributed to a failing well filter, with the worst-case scenario being something seriously wrong with the water well itself. If you are noticing a change in your water’s color or taste, we recommend contacting a professional, as some contaminants can be difficult to self-diagnose.
Keep Hazardous Chemicals Away From Your Well
Hazardous materials, such as gasoline, water chemicals, cleaning supplies, and other hazardous chemicals should be kept far away from your water well as they can pollute a water supply well. In addition, it is less costly to prevent a spill than it is to clean up a contaminated drinking water supply. We also recommend installing the well uphill from your septic system to help protect your drinking water quality.
Keep Well Logs
Memory can be unreliable, especially when it comes down to when something was last replaced or when maintenance was last conducted. This is why we recommend keeping a well log, which contains vital information on the construction of the well, mostly being annual checkups, emergency calls, and maintenance.
Be Careful When Landscaping Around The Well
If you do your own landscaping or mow your own lawn, make sure to take extra precautions when mowing around your well covers, as they can be easily damaged if they are hit with the lawnmower. Even minor damage can let in unwanted debris, insects, and rodents into your water well.
Inspecting Pressure Control Switches
Pressure control switches were designed to turn on when it reaches a certain psi and then turn off at higher psi. If this system becomes irregular, it is normally caused by a filter that needs to be replaced or a clogged filter. If you plan to remove your well’s pressure control switch, make sure to turn off the electrical power first, so you don’t get electrocuted.
Check For Bacteria Growth
If your well system has broken, it could allow for bacteria to find their way into your water well. We recommend periodically testing your well water or performing a water well treatment on your water well to help protect you and your family from ingesting contaminated water. Contact us today to perform a water well treatment on your water well.
Have Your Well Checked By A Professional Annually
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, wells should be checked and tested annually for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of certain contaminants. This annual checkup can also help to prevent larger well problems down the line. If it is getting close to a year since your last well checkup, contact our experienced plumbing technicians at North Florida Water Systems to inspect your well.