How Often Should a Well Be Cleaned?

A private well is a good supply of clean water to millions of households, particularly rural and suburban dwellings. The homeowner is the responsibility of the private wells unlike the city water systems. This implies that normal care such as cleaning is needed to ensure that the water is clean, fresh, and without any contaminants.

Nevertheless, a frequent question that a homeowner would ask is: How often should a well be cleaned? The solution will be based on a number of variables like the quality of water, the purpose of the well, the place and the age. This guide is written in simple terms.

Why Well Cleaning Is Important

It is not just well cleaning to make your well taste or look good-it is to ensure your health and to increase the life of your well system.

Health and Safety Concerns

Wells may accrue over time:

● Bacteria (coliform or E. coli)

● Sediment and minerals

● Iron bacteria and sulphur slime

● Algae and organic matter.

These pollutants may lead to stomach diseases, skin rashes, unpleasant smells, as well as staining of plumbing outlets.

Protecting Your Well Investment

A properly cleaned well:

● Enhances the water flow and pressure

● Prevents pump damage

● Reduces costly repairs

● Increase the life of the well system.

General Recommendation: How Often do you want your Well Cleaned?

Standard Cleaning Schedule

Professional cleaning of wells is advised every 3 to 5 years of residential wells.

This timeline works well for:

● Wells that have good water quality.

● Households with typical water consumption.

● Wells that were not near the sources of contamination.

This is however just a general guideline. There are wells that might require a greater rate of attention.

Signs Your Well Needs Cleaning Sooner

Although your well may be within the 3–5-year range, there are signs that reveal that it is time to clean it.

Changes in Water Quality

If you notice:

● Cloudy or muddy water

● The smell of a metallic or rotten egg

● Bad taste

● Oily sheen on water

These are good signs of contamination or bacteria growth.

Reduced Water Pressure

The accumulation of sediment or minerals may result in the blockage of the well screen or pipes causing low pressure of water.

Staining and Residue

Iron, manganese or bacterial problems are usually indicated by brown, red, or black spots on sinks, toilets, or laundry.

Positive Bacteria Test

In case of a water test that indicates the presence of coliform bacteria or E. coli bacteria, the well has to be cleaned and disinfected immediately.

Factors That Affect How Often a Well Should Be Cleaned

Well Age

Wells that are older (over 20 years old) are more likely to collect sediments and therefore might have to be cleaned more frequently- every 2-3 years.

Water Usage

High-usage wells serving:

● Large families

● Farms

● Irrigation systems

May require greater cleaning because of greater disturbance of sediment.

Location and Environment

Wells located near:

● Agricultural land

● Septic systems

● Flood-prone areas

● Construction zones

Have increased risk of contamination and need to be washed more frequently.

Water Chemistry

Iron, sulfur or hard water minerals may cause an increase in the rate of deposition within the well.

How Well Cleaning Is Done

Professional Well Cleaning

The majority of the homeowners are advised to use licensed well contractors.

A professional cleaning can consist of:

● Mechanical brushing

● High-pressure jetting

● Chemical treatment

● Shock treatment (chlorination).

This will eliminate accumulation and destroy disease causing bacteria.

Shock Chlorination

Shock chlorination involves the use of chlorine bleach in cleaning the well and plumbing system.

It often used:

● After flooding

● After pump replacement

● When bacteria are detected

Although effective, it is temporary and does not always substitute full well cleaning.

How Often Should a Well Be Tested?

Annual Water Testing

CDC and EPA suggest that at least once a year, one should test his or her private well water to:

● Total coliform bacteria

● Nitrates

● pH levels

Frequent testing can be used to identify the time of cleaning.

Additional Testing Situations

● Testing Conditions.

● Test your well water:

● Following excessive rain or flooding.

● Should one of the members of the house fall ill.

● When you observe a change in taste, smell or color.

● When buying or selling a home

Cleaning vs. Maintenance: What’s the Difference?

Routine Maintenance

Includes:

● Inspecting the well cap

● Inspection of pump and pressure tank.

● Testing water quality

It should be maintained on an annual basis.

Deep Well Cleaning

It is a more rigorous process that is performed every few years or on the occurrence of issues.

The two contribute to healthy water supply.

Can You Clean a Well Yourself?

DIY Cleaning: Is It Safe?

Simple shock chlorination is something that can be performed by the homeowner but has dangers:

● Incorrect chlorine levels

● Damage to plumbing

● Incomplete disinfection

Professional service is highly advised in case of deep cleaning.

Cost of Well Cleaning

The average cost of well cleaning is:

$300-$1,000, depending on:

● Well depth

● Level of contamination

● Cleaning method used

Even though it might appear costly, it is much less expensive than the cost of replacing a broken pump or managing health conditions.

Best Practices to Reduce Cleaning Frequency

To increase the number of days between cleanings you can:

● Maintaining a well cap and keeping it tight.

● Keeping the right distance between the septic systems.

● Moving surface runoff off the well.

● Preventing chemical spills around the well.

Arrangement of periodic checks.