Private Well Maintenance Checklist
Every year
- Check the well cap is tight and vented, the casing is uncracked and stands above ground.
- Make sure the ground slopes away from the well.
- Test the water for bacteria, nitrate, TDS and pH.
- Keep records of tests and repairs.
Keep hazards away
EPA advises keeping hazardous chemicals, fuels, fertilizers and pesticides away from the well, and keeping livestock and septic systems at a safe distance.
Get help
A licensed well contractor can check the pump, pressure tank and casing. Get the free well water checklist.
Sources
Questions
Who maintains a private well?
The owner. Private wells aren't covered by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Free well water safety checklist
15 family-friendly steps based on CDC and EPA guidance. Print it, keep it on the fridge, and know when to call a certified lab.
More guides
- Flood Protection for Well Owners: Before, During and After a FloodRaise and seal the wellhead, know your pump shutoff, then disinfect and test with a certified lab after any flood.
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Private Wells: Why You Should TestFederal PFAS rules protect public water systems — not private wells. Here’s what “forever chemicals” mean for well owners and how to get tested.
- Nitrates in Well Water and Blue Baby Syndrome: Who Must TestNitrate in well water can cause blue baby syndrome in infants. Learn who is at risk, when to test, and how to find a certified lab.
- Arsenic in Private Well Water: The Invisible Risk UndergroundArsenic in groundwater is often naturally occurring and invisible. USGS research shows millions of private-well users may be above the EPA drinking-water standard.