Water Well Maintenance/Repair
If repairs are needed to make the well operational or to bring it into compliance with the Private Water Supply Ordinance, you may be required to obtain a repair permit from the Health Department. The work must be completed within a specified time, usually 30 days from when your well was inspected and the problem noted.
If you have a buried seal well or a well in a pit, it must be upgraded to meet the provisions of the Private Water Supply Ordinance. This type of work requires a well repair permit from the Health Department.
Provisions in the Private Water Supply Ordinance mandate that supplemental wells must meet code requirements or be sealed. Water well sealing must be done by a state licensed water well contractor, or may be done by the owner-occupant with prior approval from the County Health Department.
Problems & Maintenance
Many homeowners tend to forget the value of good maintenance until problems reach crisis levels. That can be expensive. Maintain your well, find the problems early, and correct them in order to protect your well’s performance.
Keep up-to-date records of well installation and repairs plus pumping and water tests. Such records can help spot changes and possible problems with your water system. If you have problems, ask a local expert to check your well construction and maintenance records. He or she can see if your system is okay or needs work.
The safety of any water supply is largely dependent on the construction and maintenance of the water system. Below is a list of common well system problems that can spell trouble if their symptoms are ignored:
Most Common Water Well Problems/Causes:
- Well Pump Turns On When Water Is Not In Use
Water System Leak
Check the inside plumbing for leaks.
If none are found, check outside for wet spots in the yard between the well and the house.
Consult with a well contractor if you cannot determine the source of the leak.
- Well Pump Turns On And Off Continuously When Used
Pressure Tank Is Waterlogged
Draining and repressurizing the pressure tank may correct the problem. If you do not know how to do this, you may need to contact a well contractor.
- Poor Water Pressure
Improper Pump Setting On The Pressure Switch
Most pressure switches are set to turn the well pump on at 30 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch) and off at 50 p.s.i. Contact a well contractor to adjust the pressure switch accordingly.
