Your private water well may be drying up or be affected by drought conditions if you notice that your tap water is looking murky or muddy, the taste of the water has changed, air comes through the system, and spigots start to sputter.
Age of the System: The age of your well water system is a crucial factor. Most well systems have a lifespan of 15-25 years. If your system is approaching or exceeding this age range, it's a good idea to consider replacement, as components may be deteriorating, and repairs may become more frequent.
Does the home have a drilled well, and if so, when was it drilled? The average lifespan for a well is 30–50 years.
Muddy or Gritty Water
If the water from the tap starts to run muddy or there seems to be more sediment than usual, your water well may be getting low. Mud and sand are at the bottom of every well.
Unused wells that have not been properly sealed can be a source of groundwater contamination, potentially affecting nearby drinking water wells. They many threaten the quality of the water in city water wells, your neighbor's well, or even your own well.
The typical lifespan of well pressure tanks is 10 to 15 years, though this can vary depending on the tank's quality and maintenance. Higher-quality tanks can last 5 to 30 years, with the average being around 15 years.
Visually. One of the simplest ways to check the water level in your well is just to look down in the well casing to determine if you can see any water. In general, you can see the reflection of water up to around 50ft or so.
When to Have a Replacement Well Drilled. If you have very little water pressure, poor water quality, or low well production, drilling a replacement well might sound like a good idea. In some cases, a replacement well on your property is an appropriate course of action—but not until you've first tried these steps.
It is generally recommended to flush your well at least once a year.
An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended. Any source of drinking water should be checked any time there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.
The tanks should be flushed semi-annually to remove accumulated sediments by opening the tank drain valve. These sediments could harbor and shield harmful microbes from chlorination should the well and home plumbing system require disinfection.
The answer is yes – It's very possible to bring unused water wells back to life! Often restoring them to full working order isn't as difficult as you might think.
Common Signs of a Well Water Tank Problem
Unstable water pressure as the pump cycles on and off. A pump that runs less than 30 seconds to pressurize the tank. A pump that cycles on and off frequently or remains running. Water leaks at the pressure tank.
Wells can often last for 30 to 50 years, though they may have significantly shorter or longer lifespans depending on the environmental conditions near your home. Generally, though, if your well is over 15 or 20 years old, you should be aware that it may soon need new parts or require a total replacement.
Well tank replacement costs hover around $500 but vary from $300 to $700 based on the tank type, size, and location. In some cases, costs go up to $2,500 for large or difficult-to-reach tanks. Expect to pay $10 to $15 per gallon when choosing a tank size.
Your private water well may be drying up or be affected by drought conditions if you notice that your tap water is looking murky or muddy, the taste of the water has changed, air comes through the system, and spigots start to sputter.
Check the well casing
Make sure there is no damage, cracking, discolouration or rust on the outside of the well casing. If there is, contact a licensed well contractor for advice.
How likely is it that my well will run dry? Not likely. It depends on many factors, but generally most modern wells are dug deep enough so that they should never “run dry” in their lifetime.
Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance.
Yes. Dug wells draw water from just below the soil's surface, so even seasonal weather changes can affect water supplies. Groundwater levels in deep aquifers are rarely static, but they're less affected by transient droughts. In arid areas, deeper wells are generally better.
No “Hollow” sound if you knock on the tank
Pressure tanks are typically 70 -75% filled with air, therefore if you knock on the upper section of the tank, it should sound hollow. If you do not hear a hollow sound, it indicates that the tank is waterlogged.