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Well system inspection
When buying a home with a private well, you should include a well system inspection to ensure the well is in good working order and the quality of the water produced meets health standards.
Prior to the inspection, you should obtain your well’s log or record, which contains information on the history of the well and the ground surrounding it. Contractors must file well logs with their respective the state or municipality upon completion of all new wells. However, well owners should also own a copy in case the well needs to be serviced at any time.
Water Quality
Through our EPA approved water quality testing laboratory we can provide a variety of water quality tests to help insure that your water is safe to drink and contains no objectionable properties (e.g. hard or acidic water that can affect plumbing components, high iron levels that can stain laundry). These tests can be packaged together for discounted pricing. Water quality tests include:
- Bacteriological
- Physical (odor, color, and turbidity)
- Chemical (including, but not limited to: ph, hardness, iron, manganese, sodium, nitrates, and nitrites)
- Volatile organic compounds
- Fluoride
- Lead in water
Well Equipment and Production
While we complete free flow and pressure tests as part of our plumbing inspection, we can not complete a well depletion and recovery test under the scope of our inspection. This must be completed by a licensed well contractor. Don't be fooled by home inspectors that state they provide complete well system testing. Only a licensed well contractor can conduct the invasive inspections and system testing needed to insure that there are no major issues with the well or water treatment system(s).
A licensed well contractor will:
- Conduct a well depletion and recovery test to determine system output and a check of the water level before and during pumping, pump motor performance (check amp load, grounding, and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contact.
- Conduct an inspection of well equipment and water treatment system to assure that it is sanitary and meets local code requirements.
- Provide concise, clear, written report explaining results and recommendations for your well that include all laboratory and other test results.
Maintaining your well system
Although a properly constructed private well should require little routine maintenance compared to other systems in the home, these tips will help protect your well system and keep it in good working order for years to come:
- Get an annual well maintenance check, including water quality and a bacterial test.
- Your well should be checked and water quality tested any time there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.
- Periodically check the well cap and casing to make sure they are in good working order. A damaged casing or loose or improperly sealed cap could allow your water to become contaminated.
- Maintain a clean zone of at least 50 feet between your well and any kennels or livestock operations.
- Do not treat the area around the well with pesticides or fertilizer.
- Keep the top of your well at least one foot above the ground. Slope the ground away from your well to allow proper drainage.
- Don't pile snow, leaves, or other materials around your well.
- Always keep your well records in a safe place.
To order water quality tests please call us. All water quality tests are completed by an EPA approved water quality laboratory.
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