When you have a private well on your property, making even minor changes to the well or the area around it can cause big problems. Here are some common mistakes to avoid in order to keep your well and water supply safe.
Don’t Hide Your Well Head After Well Drilling
It makes sense why some people want to mask the well head of their private well. This component is designed to be practical rather than aesthetically pleasing. However, trying to hide the well head can cause major issues.
Some well owners try to hide the well head by burying it. This risks contamination from substances within the surface level of the soil, including:
- Fertilizers
- Pesticides
- Road salt
- Oil
- Gasoline
These and other contaminants can more easily reach your water supply if your well head is below ground level. In fact, the best position for your well head is above ground with the ground sloping away in order to ensure proper drainage.
It can also be tempting to screen your well head by planting bushes or flowers around it. While this may seem like an innocuous solution, it also puts your well at risk of contamination from fertilizers and pesticides. Root growth from bushes or shrubs can also cause damage to the underground components of the well. In order to avoid this, your well head should be clear of vegetation all the way around.
Not only can these screening efforts cause damage to your well or water supply, but they also make it harder to spot problems and access your well head for monitoring and maintenance. Keeping your well head visible is an important part of ensuring the safety and longevity of your water supply
Avoid All DIY Well Modifications
While your private well is your property, that doesn’t mean that you can or should make changes to it on your own. Common modifications to avoid include:
- Removing the metal ID tag
- Removing the well cap
- Attaching anything to the well head
By law, your well must be identified with its metal ID tag. You should never remove this item. Removing the well cap puts your well at risk of contamination by everything from insects to bacteria. Attaching anything to the well head can cause damage, which also increases the risk of contamination.
If there’s a problem with your well or if you think a modification is necessary, you should contact your local well drilling contractor for assistance. They will be able to assess the situation and make any needed adjustments without causing damage to your well or water supply.
If you are in Valatie or the region and have questions about your private water well, call Goold Wells & Pumps today. We are a family-owned business offering a full range of well drilling, maintenance, and repair services. We have over 90 years of experience helping property owners enjoy the benefits of private wells. Our team is available for weekday and weekend appointments, as well as emergency service. Goold Wells & Pumps—Trusted Name Since 1928.