Private Well Maintenance Checklist

A properly maintained well can provide clean water for 30–50 years. A neglected one can fail within 10. This checklist covers everything you need to do — and when — to keep your well performing at its best.

Annual Checklist

• ✅ Test for coliform bacteria and nitrates — minimum annual testing for any private well
• ✅ Inspect the wellhead — check that the well cap is intact, sealed, and screened against insects
• ✅ Check the area around the wellhead — ensure ground slopes away from the well to prevent surface water pooling near the casing
• ✅ Verify setback distances are maintained — no new chemical storage, fuel tanks, or animal areas within 50–100 feet of the well
• ✅ Inspect the pressure tank — test Schrader valve, check pre-charge pressure, listen for short cycling
• ✅ Check all well-related electrical connections — look for corrosion at the pressure switch and pump wiring

Every 3–5 Years

• ✅ Comprehensive water test — pH, hardness, iron, manganese, TDS, and any locally relevant contaminants
• ✅ Professional well inspection — licensed well contractor inspects pump, casing, and water level
• ✅ Shock chlorination — optional but recommended even for wells that test clean
• ✅ Check pump performance — confirm flow rate matches original specifications

When to Test Immediately

• 🔴 After any flooding near the well
• 🔴 After well service or pump replacement
• 🔴 Change in water color, taste, or smell
• 🔴 Unexplained gastrointestinal illness in the household
• 🔴 Nearby contamination event (spill, chemical release)

Wellhead Protection — What to Keep Away

Maintain these minimum distances from your well:

Signs Your Well Needs Professional Attention

• Declining water pressure or flow rate over time
• Sand or sediment in the water
• Air sputtering from faucets
• Pump runs longer than usual to build pressure
• Significant increase in electricity bill (pump working harder)
• Well is over 20 years old and has never been inspected

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a private well be inspected?

Test for coliform bacteria and nitrates annually, and inspect the wellhead, pressure tank, and electrical connections each year. Every 3-5 years, get a comprehensive water test and a professional well inspection from a licensed contractor.

How long does a well last with proper maintenance?

A properly maintained well can provide clean water for 30-50 years. A neglected well can fail within as little as 10 years, making routine annual and 3-5 year checks well worth the effort.

How far should a septic tank be from a well?

Keep a septic tank at least 50 feet from the well, and the drain/leach field at least 100 feet. Fuel storage, livestock areas, chemical storage, and road salt storage should also all be kept at least 100 feet away.

Should I shock chlorinate my well even if it tests clean?

Yes, it's optional but recommended every 3-5 years even for wells that test clean, as part of routine preventive maintenance alongside a professional inspection.

What events mean I should test my well water right away, outside the normal schedule?

Test immediately after any flooding near the well, after well service or pump replacement, if you notice a change in water color/taste/smell, after unexplained gastrointestinal illness in the household, or after a nearby contamination event like a spill or chemical release.