Recognizing that a well requires maintenance is a good sign.  Too many people deal with their well or pumping system only when they turn on the faucet and have no water.

Whether you are buying a home (new or preexisting) or already own your home, you should have a comprehensive history of your well. A well log contains information on the original site owner, location of the well, construction and contractor details, and any results of water tests, as well as well depth, pump depth, and original well yield. In many counties in New York, local health departments require water well drillers to complete a well log before a certificate of occupancy can be issued on new homes. If this log is not available, call the driller and request a copy.

Next, set up a well maintenance schedule, which includes the following steps. Inspect your wellhead on a regular basis. Have you entire system inspected every 10 years by a certified well driller or pump installer. If you have a buried well, have your well head brought to surface; buried wells are a contamination disaster waiting to happen. Disinfect your well on an annual basis.

Test your water immediately if you have no past water tests. Annual bacteria tests are recommended. And if you live in an agricultural area or have an on-site septic system, test for nitrates in the spring of each year. High levels of nitrates in wells can be dangerous to small children and to women in their childbearing years, as nitrates are deadly to fetuses. Test your water any time you notice a change in color, taste, or smell.

For your water treatment system, which may include iron filtration, ultraviolet lights, chlorination, and units to adjust the pH of the water, follow the recommended maintenance schedule. Avoid water softeners, however, which add salt to clean out the filter during the backwash cycle - salt that is discharged into the ground and eventually pollutes the aquifer from which your well draws its water.

Inspect your septic system annually. Have your system pumped out every three to five years depending on the size of your household.

These are a few suggestions to keep your system on track.  If you have questions, please contact a local certified water well driller or pump installer.  The State of New York now requires all water well drillers and pump installers to be certified and registered with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.