A private well on your property offers many advantages that municipal water users simply don't have. However, regular maintenance and care is necessary to keep it operating properly to prolong well life, safeguard your investment, and help protect precious water quality for your family. Read on to discover three things you should know about well maintenance.

The historic flood in 2009 brings to light the damage heavy rain and floodwater cause. Since then, technology is more able to accurately predict and warn of future flood potential. However, abundant rainfall and local flooding are inevitable and can have a real impact on property, including your well. After a flood, your well needs special attention to make sure water is clean and your family stays safe. Flooding introduces bacteria, chemicals, and various pollutants into your well water. Also, water can reach the electrical system or pump and pose a risk for shock. After a flood, avoid a nasty electrical shock and do not go near the well pump. Assume the water is dirty, and don't drink it or wash with it. Instead, tap into your emergency water supply or use bottled water. If you must use your well water follow safety protocol and boil it first. Then have a qualified well contractor clean and turn on the pump, flush and disinfect the well, and approve its overall safety before you use it.

The well cap has an important job and should not be ignored. Because the well cap is responsible for guarding against accidental water contamination, you need make sure it can continue to do so.

• Regularly check the well cap and look for signs of wear or tampering. Bugs and animals can enter your well via cracks and holes and dirty the water.
• Avoid planting trees, shrubs, and plants near the well cap, and aggressively trim back nearby plant life to protect the well cap.
• To help keep pollutants via rainwater from entering through the well cap, grade the soil around the well cap to speed draining and avoid puddles.

You can add another level of protection with the addition of grout seal. This seal surrounds the drilled hole and casing directly below the well cap to further prevent contamination. Ask your well contractor whether your well has a grout seal.

Property upgrades like a detached garage or horse pen may be good for the value of your home and land, but it might end up harming your well. Certain physical objects and structures may threaten a well's integrity and compromise your water safety if they are too close to your well. Structures that house motor vehicles and other machines like a garage have the potential to leak motor oil, gasoline, fuels, and other pollutants into your well water. Horse pastures, barns, dog runs, and other animal enclosures can contaminate the area near a well with manure and dangerous bacteria. Finally, increased human and motor vehicle activity near a well might result in someone hitting it. Increase the visibility of the well with bollards or bump posts to avoid damage from a crash. Despite regular maintenance, your well can still experience problems with weather, contamination, and damage. You might need a qualified well expert to visit your well to help in the event of a flood, check the well cap, or discuss your options regarding a grout seal. We at Brown & Cox want your well to produce the best water possible for your family and property. Give us a call and ask how we can increase your well quality and safety.