WorldWide Drilling Resource

66 JUNE 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® It’s Checkup Time! Compiled by Bonnie Love, Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Your customers may know to check their smoke detector batteries and fur- naces every year, but do they know how important it is to do an annual well check? Here are some facts you can share with your customers regarding annual well checkups: - Checking a well should occur be- fore peak water use begins, so now is the best time to get it done. - Although public water systems are regularly inspected and tested, when it comes to private wells, it is the responsibility of the well owner to maintain the well and test water quality. - Conducting an annual checkup is the best way to ensure a private well system is performing correctly and providing good quality water. - Preventative maintenance is ty- pically less expensive than emer- gency maintenance. Just like regular vehicle maintenance can extend the life of a vehicle, good well mainte- nance can prolong the life of a well and its equipment. A well checkup should include: • A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of water levels before and during pumping, pump motor performance, pressure tank and pressure switch contact. • Inspection of the well equipment to make sure everything meets local codes. This would include a check of the well cover or well cap to ensure it is intact. • Testing the water itself for coliform, nitrates, and other contaminants which could not only cause problems with plumbing, staining, odor, and water appearance, but also gastroin- testinal illnesses. Many contami- nants have no taste, odor, or color. The only way to know if they are present is to have the water tested each year! This is also a good time to remind Photo courtesy of palmedemr.com customers to keep hazardous chemicals far away from the well. Chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil can cause contamination. Several commonly used household and yard products contain chemicals which can contaminate groundwater if they are not disposed of properly. The family pet could also cause con- tamination. Dog waste can introduce pathogens to groundwater, so picking up and disposing of pet waste regularly is important. Kennels, livestock operations, waste systems, and chemical storage areas should be at least 100 feet from the well. Keeping the area around the well- head clean and free of brush is another important responsibility of well owners. Ok, it is a nice perk for you when com- ing out to service or inspect a well, but it also prevents rodents or other animals from burrowing around the well, causing possible contamination. This is the time of year to remind your customers that spring cleaning should also include an annual well checkup.