Who do you call to inspect a well?

Author: Dr. Bertram Cartwright IV  |  Last update: Saturday, December 13, 2025

Contact a local water well contractor and ask if he or she conducts the type of maintenance check described. You can locate NGWA member- or certified-contractors in your area through the Find a Contractor section on this Web site.

How much does it cost to get a well inspected?

How Much Does a Well Inspection Cost? An average well inspection ranges from $300 to $500. This depends on the inspector's rates as well as the type of water tests they intend to conduct to check water quality. It also depends on whether they provide a septic inspection as well.

Where can I get my water well tested?

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.

Who should inspect a well?

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that well water systems be inspected by a certified well water inspector or a licensed water well contractor.

What does it cost to have well water tested?

A well inspection costs $250 to $550, depending on the well type, depth, and age and whether the inspection includes water testing. Laboratory well water testing alone costs $100 to $350 on average. A well and septic inspection cost $400 to $650 when done in the same visit.

Well Inspection

How long does a well inspection take?

Today, well inspections are quite a bit faster. Most inspections don't take more than a couple hours to complete. You won't have to take vacation time, miss work, or wait by the phone. From start to finish, it shouldn't take more than 1-2 hours for the inspection process to be finished.

Do you have to pay a water bill if you have a well?

If your water is coming from your own private well, then you won't get a monthly water bill. If you are using a septic system, you won't be getting a monthly sewer use bill. Having less bills is normally a good thing. Well water is normally fresher, high in nutrients, and high in minerals.

Who to call for a well inspection?

Contact a local water well contractor and ask if he or she conducts the type of maintenance check described. You can locate NGWA member- or certified-contractors in your area through the Find a Contractor section on this Web site.

Do you call a plumber for well issues?

You might also call your water well professional to plug your well or help you hook up to city water. A plumber will deal with clogged pipes inside the house while the water well professional will take care of clogs outside the house.

How do you know if a well is still good?

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 much does it cost to drill a test well?

A shallow well, around 1,000′, will cost a little less than $100,000 to drill and complete. A deeper well, say 15,000′ deep, plus a 10,000′ horizontal leg, will run close to $20 million. Not for the faint of heart.

How to test your well water yourself?

How to Test Your Water Quality at Home Without a Kit
  1. #1 Assess Color, Taste, and Odor Test.
  2. #2 Use a Water Hardness Test.
  3. #3 Try a Magnifying Glass.
  4. #4 Boil Your Water for a Dissolved Solids Test.
  5. Additional Factors to Consider.
  6. Why Test Your Home's Water Quality.
  7. Rayne Water: Aiding Water Quality Since 1928.

What time of year should I test my well water?

When to have your well tested. At a minimum, check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems. Test your well water at least once each year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels.

Where can I get my well water tested for free?

Often county health departments will help you test for bacteria or nitrates. If not, you can have your water tested by a state certified laboratory. You can find one in your area by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visiting www.epa.gov/safewater/labs.

Who pays for well inspection when buying a house?

The answer is 'no one'. No one is responsible for either getting or paying for a home inspection in California. Home inspections are not mandatory.

Who to call for well issues?

However, it's always a good idea to hire a certified plumber to repair or replace well pumps and water pumps. Certified professionals are far more likely to get the job done correctly and prevent future issues, which is especially important for ensuring access to clean water for your home.

How do you diagnose a water well problem?

The most common symptoms of well trouble are no water at all, pulsing water pressure and a well pump that runs constantly. If you experience any of these, there's a good chance you can solve the problem yourself.

Do plumbers do well inspections?

They can handle unique diagnostics, such as doing a well flow test, and they are usually set up to provide emergency well service as well.

Can a plumber fix a well?

In addition, plumbers often handle sewer and water supply line issues, fixture installations and repairs for water-using appliances. As you might have noticed, the list above does not include working with water wells. While some plumbers may be familiar with well components, this isn't the norm.

How long does it take to do a well inspection?

Generally, a well inspection takes anywhere from 2-3 hours. If a water test is done, it may take a few days to get the results back.

How often should a well be inspected?

ESDHD recommends homeowners have the well sampled at least once a year for bacteria, and every 5 years for chemicals, or if any change in odor, taste, or color. contaminants can seep into the well and may be potentially hazardous to drink.

Is my water well covered by homeowners insurance?

Well failure and repair are covered by homeowners insurance if the damage or failure was caused by a covered peril, such as lightning or a hurricane.

What maintenance is required for a well?

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.

How long does a well last?

1. Does the home have a drilled well, and if so, when was it drilled? The average lifespan for a well is 30–50 years.

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