How often should a well be tested?

When to have your well tested. At a minimum, check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems; test it once each year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect other contaminants, you should test for those as well.

How often should you service a well?

An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended. Any source of drinking water should be checked any time there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.

How often do you need to treat well water?

Homeowners with private wells should have their well water tested every 3 to 5 years for some contaminants, including bacteria. If these tests turn up positive for bacteria, chlorinating the well may be a way to resolve the problem.

What maintenance is needed for a well?

Wells should be checked and tested ANNUALLY for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of certain contaminants, such as coliform bacteria, nitrates/nitrites, and any other contaminants of local concern, (for example, arsenic and radon).

Should I pour bleach in my well?

Household bleach is heavier than water. This means it will quickly drop to the bottom of your well. The bacteria you want to treat spend their lives near the top of your well. They are less able to survive at the bottom of the well because of the greater pressure at those depths.

Chapter 1 - Well Testing Introduction

How know how long a well will last?

1. Does the home have a drilled well, and if so, when was it drilled? The average lifespan for a well is 30–50 years.

How do you tell if well is failing?

Where can I get my well water tested for free near me?

Contact your county or state health department, check with your State Certification Officer, or use this EPA website for a list of state certified laboratories in your area that do water testing.

Should you shock a well every year?

Shock chlorination is recommended: upon completion of a new well or when an unused well is returned to service. if annual water test results indicate the presence of bacteria. if a well system is opened for any installation, repair or maintenance.

How long does a well water system last?

With proper well maintenance, your well pump can last, on average of 8 to 15 years, though many homeowners report their pumps lasting far longer, often between 20 and 30 years! However, owning a home with a well means that you'll likely have to replace your well pump at some point, but how will you know when it's time?

How often does a well need to be shocked?

I personally shock my well once a year to keep the bacteria count to a minimum but I have tested wells that have been ten years without a shock treatment and still had no health concerns. None the less I recommend a yearly treatment. The goal is to kill all the bacteria that will make you sick.

How do I know if I need a new well?

What to know when buying a house with a well?

What causes wells to fail?

Causes of Well Problems

Improper well design and construction ● Incomplete well development ● Borehole stability problems ● Incrustation build-up ● Biofouling ● Corrosion ● Aquifer problems ● Over-pumping.

What happens if your well runs dry?

Does the well “running dry” do any damage? Yes, it can. Running the well pump when there isn't water to pump can damage the pump itself which can cause it to burn out prematurely. Well pumps can be quite expensive to replace.

Can a well last 100 years?

While people might say well's life expectancy should be between 25 and 100 years, the answer is—it depends on a few factors. The general geographic location where your well is located affects your well's life expectancy. Some areas demand much deeper drilling to obtain a successful and efficient water delivery system.

How many years does a well pump last?

The average lifespan of a well pump is generally around eight to 15 years. However, where your pump will fall in that pretty wide age range depends on many factors. The single largest factor in your pump's life expectancy is the frequency of your pump's duty cycle.

When Should a well be replaced?

A well's lifespan is considered to be roughly 20 to 30 years. Over time, yield may decline because of sediment or mineral scale build-up. For some homeowners, however, a well can last many years beyond this lifespan.

Can I dump a gallon of bleach in my well?

One gallon of bleach will treat up to an 8-inch diameter well containing 100 feet of water. If your well is much larger, or if your distribution system is unusually large, expect to use more than 1 gallon of bleach. Avoid direct skin contact with bleach solutions.

How much Clorox do I need to shock a well?

Add 85 millilitres (3 ounces) of household bleach for every 3 metres (10 feet) of depth of water.

How much Clorox should I put in my well water?

Dilute 1 part bleach in 10 parts water. Pour diluted bleach down well. Run hose from house to well. Recirculate water from hose to well until scent of bleach is clearly evident.

Is it difficult to maintain a well?

Maintaining a well does not require a large amount of time or effort by homeowners. However, annual check-ups and testing by certified technicians are essential to ensure a steady supply of safe, potable water for your family.