Well Care and Water Testing By Wellcare®

Most of the words of wisdom below come verbatem directly from an E-Newsletter sent to me by the Well Owners Network:

Remember regular well maintenance is an important part of keeping your drinking water clean and pure and your well operating at peak performance.

WELL INSPECTION

You should keep all well records (testing, maintenance, and repair) with your original well log. If you don't have a well log (also known as a water well record or drilling report), ask your well contractor for a copy or contact the wellcare® Hotline for assistance.

Inspect your well head several times a year. Check the condition of the well cap and casing to make sure all are in good repair, leaving no cracks or other entry points for potential pollutants. Keep debris, chemicals, and decorations away from your well head.

Have the well system, including the pump, tank, pipes and valves, and water flow inspected every 10 years by a licensed well contractor. If you have no
inspection record and cannot determine the age of the well, have it inspected immediately.

If you need assistance locating a well contractor in your area, contact the wellcare® Hotline at 1-888-395-1033 or view our wellcare® information sheet on Selecting a Well Contractor Click here!


WATER TESTING

At a minimum, your water should be tested every year for bacteria, the most common water quality problem. Other tests may be recommended, depending on where you live and what is located near your drinking water supply.

For example, if your well is in an area of intensive agricultural use, test for nitrates and pesticides commonly used in that region. If you have problems with taste, odor, staining or color of your water, then test levels of iron, manganese, sulfate, and tannins.

Testing more than once a year may be warranted in special situations:
• someone in your household is pregnant or nursing
• there are unexplained illnesses in the family
• your neighbors find a dangerous contaminant in their water
• you note a change in water taste, odor, color or clarity
• there is a spill of chemicals or fuels into or near your well
To get more information on local water testing recommendations and to obtain a list of state certified water testing laboratories in your area contact your local or state health department or the wellcare® Hotline at 1-888-395-1033. Keep a copy of your water test results with your well log.

If you have questions on your test results, contact the wellcare® Hotline or view our wellcare® information sheet on Understanding Drinking Water Test Results Click here!

WATER TREATMENT

You should always test your drinking water
before installing any water treatment device. The more you know about the quality of your water and what treatment may be needed, the more likely you will be to avoid unnecessary, costly or inappropriate equipment. If you already have a water treatment device you should test your treated water annually to make sure the device is working properly.

Always follow the inspection and maintenance schedule provided by your water treatment device manufacturer or water treatment professional. Treatment
systems must be properly maintained to ensure water quality. Create a treatment maintenance log and keep it with your well log.

For more information on drinking water treatment contact your local water treatment professional or view our wellcare® information sheets on

Drinking Water Treatments
Drinking Water Treatment Devices
Drinking Water Treatments & Costs


SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Don't forget your septic system! Your septic system, just like your water well system, needs a regularly scheduled maintenance program. Create a septic maintenance log and keep it with your well log.

Inspect your septic tank each year for capacity and leaks. Have your tank pumped out as needed, usually every three to five years. Frequency of pumping depends on demand which is based on the number of people in the household and the size of the tank. Repair the tank or drainfield system as needed to prevent leaks.

A poorly maintained wastewater treatment system poses a serious threat to the quality of your drinking water and can require expensive repairs. The cost of pumping a septic tank is far less than the expense of replacing one.

For more information on maintaining a septic system contact your septic service or to receive the kind of information provided here in this newsletter where you will find tips to help you through the maintenance process, contact the wellcare® Hotline at 1-888-395-1033. Wellcare® Well Owners Network members have access to the wellcare® Hotline, a free, friendly service that can answer your well and well water questions.