Just like anything else, the more routine maintenance you give your well system, the better it will work while also minimizing the chance of a bigger repair—or replacement—in the future. However, it’s easy for some well owners to forget about this annual or bi-annual inspection, and
others assume that the costs are too high. Why pay for a contractor to come take a look and tell you everything’s fine or do a simple cleaning that you could do yourself? Simply put: Most well owners don’t regularly clean their wells (letting algae quickly build up) and almost none are qualified or knowledgeable enough to do so.
What’s a very minor repair or replacement today can turn into a huge problem if it’s not addressed. Both the well production and water quality can be maximized with regular TLC. According to a report by Subsurface Technologies, the majority of people will keep operating their wells inspection free until a “significant loss” of capacity is noticed. By this point, it might be too late.
Cost/Benefit Analysis
The cost of an inspection can vary based on your region, type of well, type of testing and perhaps time since last inspection. The ballpark range is $150 to $350, and you should have a check once or twice each year. The cost of waiting until something major happens can easily be significantly more than that.
Think of it as one of the cheapest “insurances” that you could possibly get. Well pump service and repair should only be done by a professional. Once a well is beyond repair, it might be impossible to restore it to its original condition. However, preventative services stops capacity loss, taking away those deposits at a time when it’s much easier (and more affordable).
Checking Well Performance
There are many ways to see how “well” a well is performing, and a reputable contractor will choose the best one for you. Each test is quantitative, including “discharge” (also known as “Q”) which is the most common. It measures how much water is produced per time unit. There’s also “drawdown” (also known as “s”) which measures the distance vertically by comparing pumping water level and the “static” or non-pumping level. Several other test check mineral level, algae content, and more.
To maximize the life and effectiveness of your well, make sure you have a trusty, licensed service team in your corner like Mike Zimmerman Well Service.
