Maintaining Your Well

Ideally, there should be a minimum of 6 inches of the well casing visible from the ground to the bottom of the well cap. Make sure the ground around the well slopes away so water does not pool near the wellhead.

If your wellhead is in a pit, and it is safe to do so, check that the pit drains properly and does not collect water. Consider extending the casing above ground to help prevent flooding and contamination. Keep the pit securely covered to prevent children, pets, or others from falling in.

Modern well caps have bolts that hold two plates together - this may be called a "sanitary cap" or "watertight cap." If your well cap is a different style, we recommend replacing it with a sanitary well cap.

Check each of the bolts on the well cap, and tighten down any that are loose. 

If an electrical conduit is present, check to ensure that it is securely attached to the well cap. If not, use silicone sealant to eliminate any openings.

On a split cap, electrical wires are often routed through an empty bolt hole. We recommend installing a conduit for electrical wires, or sealing around them with silicone. Add bolts where they are missing to eliminate openings.

A screened air vent should be present somewhere on the wellhead, usually next to electrical wiring. 

On a split cap, the air vent could look like a pipe sticking up out of one of the bolt holes. Make sure the screen is in place and not damaged.