Water wells require routine visual inspections, annual water testing, and regular check-ups on your filtration and pressure systems. Proper upkeep ensures safe drinking water and prevents expensive emergency repairs.
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.
If your well is or may be contaminated with harmful germs or chemicals, do not drink the water. Contact your health department for specific advice. Drink bottled water or water from another safe source until you have treated and tested your well water.
Common Well Water Issues
If you handle the basics yourself, expect about $50–$200 per year. That usually covers sediment and carbon filters, a simple DIY water test or two, and softener salt if you use one. These tasks are straightforward and keep costs low.
A properly constructed and maintained residential water well typically lasts 30 to 50 years. While the deep well casing and bore can serve your home for decades, the mechanical components—such as the pump and pressure tank—must be replaced several times throughout that lifespan.
The primary disadvantage of well water is that homeowners are solely responsible for its safety, maintenance, and repair. Unlike city water, well systems are vulnerable to power outages, require costly filtration and softening systems to fix natural contaminants and hard water, and carry the risk of running dry.
Using a 5-gallon bucket, mix the bleach from Table 1 with 3-5 gallons of water (12-19 liters). Add the bleach water mixture to the well. Avoid all electrical connections. Attach a clean hose to an outside faucet and use it to circulate water back into the well for thorough mixing.
A 2-gallon-per-minute (GPM) well is considered low-yield. While it falls short of the recommended 5 to 10 GPM for standard households, it can still fully support a home if you manage water usage carefully or install a supplemental storage (cistern) system.
If your wellhead is exposed to outside elements and freezing temperatures are on the way, wrap it with insulation, blankets, towels, or anything else you can find that will not cause damage to the wellhead but can help protect it from the cold.
Hard water, rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, can leave your hair feeling dry, brittle, and lifeless. It can also interfere with the effectiveness of hair care products, making it difficult to maintain healthy, vibrant hair.
The 10-gulp rule is a hydration habit designed to help you easily meet your daily water intake goals. The rule is simple: Every time your water bottle or glass touches your lips, take exactly 10 large gulps before putting it down.
The absolute cheapest way to remove sulfur (the rotten egg smell) is degassing. Because sulfur gas is volatile, you can simply let a glass of water sit overnight so the air oxidizes the sulfur, or you can install an aeration system directly in your well for around $115 to spray and vent the gas.
Professional well inspection costs range from $300 to $600, with deeper wells over 500 feet costing more to inspect. Your well type and pump accessibility determine inspection complexity, with drilled wells and submersible pumps requiring more extensive evaluation.
To get rid of sediment in well water, first identify the particle size. The most effective approach combines in-well maintenance (like raising the pump or flushing the well) with point-of-entry filtration (such as spin-down or multi-stage cartridge filters).
Low water pressure is a common symptom in homes that use well water, and it can be caused by many issues that are not related to the well pump. However, low water pressure could also signal troubles with the pump. Causes of low water pressure in a well system include the following: Pressure switch setting.
What is Average? The water industry estimates that an average person uses 3,000 gallons of water monthly, so a family of 4 would use 12,000 gallons for bathing, cooking, washing, recreation and watering. But a lot of factors come into play when calculating average use.
You should expect strong water pressure in your showers and faucets in that range when using properly-sized residential water pumps. Any lower than 40PSI and some shower heads won't operate very well. Any higher than 60PSI -70PSI and you'll have to be careful not to burst any pipes that aren't rated for high pressure.
Research suggests 5-6 GPM is adequate for a typical single-family home, but 8-10 GPM is ideal for larger households, such as those with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Household fixtures illustrate why. A standard shower uses 1.5-3 GPM, depending on whether it's low-flow or high-pressure.
Liquid chlorine in the form of household bleach and food grade white vinegar can be used to disinfect your well. When chlorine is added to water the pH level will rise. Food grade white vinegar is used to lower the water's pH level so the chlorine will work effectively.
Salt does not treat the well itself, but it is the active ingredient used in your home’s water softener. It removes hard minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron from your well water through a process called "ion exchange," which prevents pipe scaling, protects appliances, and makes water gentler on your skin.
Understanding the specific contaminants in your well and using targeted treatments like filtration systems, water softeners, and disinfection can effectively manage water quality. Regular monitoring and proactive care will help keep your well water clean and your household safe.
Well water isn't inherently bad, but unlike municipal water, it lacks a centralized treatment plant. You are entirely responsible for your own water safety. While it can be pure and rich in healthy minerals, untreated well water poses distinct risks that require testing and management.
No water bill: Aside from minimal electricity charges to run the well, you won't have to pay for water usage. Ability to live off the grid: With a well, you can have access to a water supply in very rural areas without having to rely on city water.
A properly constructed and maintained residential water well typically lasts 30 to 50 years. While the deep well casing and bore can serve your home for decades, the mechanical components—such as the pump and pressure tank—must be replaced several times throughout that lifespan.