WoldWide Drilling Resource

One Small Part Can Make a Big Difference! Adapted from Information by Baker Water Systems and National Ground Water Association You just finished drilling a well, the pump has been set, and you’ve thoroughly sanitized it so it is ready to go. You can walk away from the job and know the well is safe. Will it stay that way? If you installed a ventilated cap, you may be surprised to learn the answer is no. Ventilated caps are made with an air gap between the cap and the well. Of course the gaps may seem small to us, but they actually provide easy access for insects, who just love the cold dark surroundings, to get into the well and nest. Bug drop- pings entering the well are just the beginning of potential troubles. Earwigs, fire ants, spiders, and other creepy-crawlies living in the well, eventually die. As their decaying bodies land in the water, they become a food source for the bacteria living in the well. When provided with all of this grub, the bacteria grow and multiply quickly. Soon, the safe levels of bacteria explode into a high coliform bacteria count, mak- ing the well unsafe. You are a professional well drilling operation. You realize your customer’s health and the health of their well depends on how you leave the job. Installing a watertight, vermin-proof well cap will keep insects out, protecting your customer’s well, and your reputation. A good well cap also protects it from surface contaminants. According to the National Ground Water Association, a properly sealed well cap is the first line of protection against nonpoint source pollution, which is the leading cause of groundwater contamination. This includes runoff from pesticides and herbicides, soil erosion, and elements from the street. Baker Water Systems carries a full line of well caps for every water well cap application. One of the most popular caps in the industry, is the Turtle ® Vermin Watertight Cap. It is a durable two-piece cast iron cap, which attaches to steel or PVC well casing. The top of the cap is removable for easy well servicing. The company also offers a Premium Watertight Cap, Premium Watertight Cap with screened air vent, as well as a Jet Pump Cap. As with all Baker products, these well caps are backed by years of manufac- turing excellence. WTR 44 JULY 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®