1. Introduction
The water well system is a direct link to a groundwater reserve (aquifer). Wells and aquifers
are subject to a wide range of influences that could potentially affect the health and well-being of
groundwater users. The National Ground Water Association recommends that well owners or water
system managers schedule routine water well system inspection to assure proper operation of the
well, prolong its operational expectancy, and monitor the quality of groundwater it provides. As a
benefit to NGWA members, the Association makes available Best Suggested Practices (BSPs) for
a wide array of methods and applications within the groundwater industry. This document provides
BSPs for a proper groundwater system inspection.
2. Purpose
This document is made available as a resource for water well inspectors, contractors, pump
installers, regulators, and well owners or water system managers or consumers. The purpose of
this document is to provide guidance, at the time of inspection, that all components in a water
well system are fully functional and that the water well system provides adequate water for the
intended purpose.
3. Definitions
inspection report:
A written form or report which details
observed variables which differ from
historical documentation.
residential water well system:
The well system used by a private household, including the well, pumping equipment, and treatment equipment, if needed.
(NGWA 2011)
sanitary well cap:
A cover fitted to the top of a well casing
to seal the opening between the casing and
the downhole pipe to prevent the entrance
of contaminants. (NGWA 2011)
®
Phone/ Toll-free 800 551.7379/ 614 898.7791 Fax/ 614 898.7786
Web/ www.ngwa.org and www.wellowner.org
Address/ 601 Dempsey Road/ Westerville, Ohio 43081-8978 U.S.A
NGWA Best Suggested Practice
Water Well Systems Inspection
Approved by NGWA
Board of Directors:
11/1/2011
wellhead:
A composite of equipment used at the surface to maintain control of the well. Included in
wellhead equipment are casing heads (lowermost and intermediate), tubing heads, Christmas
tree equipment with valves and fittings, casing and tubing hangers, and associated equipment.
(NGWA 2011)
4. Water Well Systems Inspection Personnel
Minimum Requirements
Any individual or group conducting groundwater system inspections should possess the following
skills and experience to operate within the following parameters:1
• Knowledge of local, regional, state, and federal code and regulations relative to well construction,
well inspection, pump installation, electrical systems, groundwater quality, etc.
• Safety protocol awareness for situations applicable to the work being conducted
• Basic understanding of natural and anthropogenic threats to drinking water quality
• Technical awareness of pump and related electrical systems.
5. Well Use Parameters
Prior to inspection, it is important to gain an understanding of the well’s intended, as well as
current, use by communicating with the well/property owner or water system manager. The
following questions are some, but not all, of the background information needed to determine well
use. Site-specific conditions will often determine which questions are salient. Examples include:
• What uses does this well serve? (human consumption, residential, irrigation, industrial,
agricultural)
• What is the estimated groundwater usage of the well per day?2 (number of people served,
fixtures, taps, etc.)
• How often is the well being pumped?3
• Is the well shared with other homes? If so, how many?
• What water quality issues are or could be a concern for current or intended use?
• Does the well use fall under private or public water system rules?
• What purpose does the groundwater well system being inspected serve?
6. Inspection of the Well and Groundwater System Equipment
6.1. Visual Inspection of Wellhead
An inspection of the wellhead and surrounding area should be conducted to verify the following:
• Ensure proper siting with respect to flooding, physical dangers, geological or geotechnical
hazards, or sources of potential contamination.
– The immediate area surrounding the well should be free of debris, dirt, chemicals, fuels, or
any other potential contaminant source.
– Surface water should in no way interact with the well area.
– The well should be a safe distance from the natural flow of groundwater under animal pens,
pastures, and feeding areas.
If the individual or company conducting the groundwater system inspection does not possess the appropriate qualifications
(see footnote 4) for a specific groundwater inspection activity, they will be required to have the knowledge of where to locate
a qualified professional to conduct said activity.
1
The National Ground Water Association’s Water Use Calculator can be employed to calculate the estimated water usage.
This application can be found at http://wellowner2.org/2009/waterusecalculator.htm.
2
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If the well is not being pumped at least every seven days, it could lead to excessive bacterial growth.
2
– Any growth of weeds, trees, shrubs, or grasses with root systems within 10 feet of the well
should be removed.
– Ensure the wellhead is not in a roadway or driveway; if it is within 24 inches of the roadway
or driveway, it should be properly marked to avoid being hit by vehicles.
• The wellhead should be at an elevation above any surrounding contamination sources.
• The topography directly surrounding the wellhead should slope away from the casing to facilitate surface runoff away from the well.
• Verify surface casing integrity and height.
–The diameter and condition of the surface casing, its height above ground surface, and the
condition of the sanitary well cap should all be noted.
• Audit sanitary well cap and well seal condition.
–The sanitary well cap should fit snugly on the well casing and be in good condition, and made
of acceptable materials consistent with local code.
–The sanitary well cap should protect against intrusion of foreign objects, wildlife, or domestic
animals while allowing for the passage of pipe and cables from the casing.
–The well casing should be vented with a screened vent. (Price 2010)
• Document other variables that have the potential to damage the well or appurtenances, shorten
useful life, or interfere with worker’s safety during maintenance or operation (obstructions,
litter, debris, animal or insect nests, overhead power lines, etc.).
6.2. Visual Inspection of Water Well System Components
Visual inspection of water well system components consists of checking aboveground pumping
equipment and other appurtenances and wiring for condition, loose connections, proper seals of
joints, and adequate function of gauges and pressure relief valves. If the system is equipped with
a water meter, it should be inspected for proper operation. Notes should be taken regarding meter
size, serial number, and meter reading.
6.3. Physical Inspection of Water Well System Components
Physical inspection of water well system components consists of testing the pump, checking
valves, and conducting electrical testing.
Testing the well pump, or any booster pumps, should be performed to determine the pump
efficiency and power consumption and to ensure the equipment is cycled on and off at a frequency
that is compatible with the well’s yield to avoid excessive drawdown that prematurely wears both
the pump and the well and excessive power consumption. A pump test consists of measuring total
dynamic head (lift, friction head losses, and water system pressure head) and discharge flow rate,
and comparing the head-flow relationship with any historical data and/or the original pump performance curve supplied by the pump manufacturer.
If an operating mode test of the well performance is not allowed by the owner or manager, then
documentation of supply line voltage, lead to lead resistance, and lead-to-ground (megger values)
should be read and documented. Resistance readings can be compared to published standards for
determination of relative motor condition.
Booster pumps should be observed, listened to, and operationally tested for indications of
improper operation, including rapid cycling, noisy indications of air leaks on suction side, leaks
at operating pressure, and water hammer when shutting off.
Water storage tanks should be inspected for microbiological contamination, physical security,
and sufficient seals to prevent insect, animal, or aviary intrusion.
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7. Visual Inspection of Other Equipment
All other water well system components will need to be visually inspected. These include, but
are not limited to, pressure tanks, above/below ground storage tanks, booster pumps, liquid level
control devices, control box and connections, water heaters, softeners, conditioners, filtration
equipment, etc.
If a sediment filter is in use, a visual check may reveal the type and amount of sediment the well
might be producing. A hardness test kit would determine if a water softener is working correctly.
Pressure tanks should be examined to match water system records for tank size and type. The
condition and connections of the pressure tank should be inspected including, but not limited to:
tank tee, pressure switch, gauge, boiler drain, pressure relief valve(s), etc. In bladder type tanks, it
is important to verify the bladder is not ruptured (waterlogged). The location of all equipment and
associated piping system should be verified to the extent possible. Where appurtenances are buried, a
visual inspection of the ground surface may be performed to search for evidence of leaks or sources
of contamination. If present, the condition of the well house or pit should be noted.
8. Documentation
Upon completion of visual and physical inspection of the water well system, a report should
be provided to the well/property owner or water system manager entailing the system specifications observed. Support documentation includes, but is not limited to, written documentation,
photographs, or video records. Photographs should be taken, documented, and maintained by the
inspector, and may be included in the report. The written report of observed conditions may include
proposal(s) for any remedial or rehabilitation work for the water well system in accordance with the
professional judgment of the inspector. A recommended schedule for routine inspection, testing, cleaning, or rehabilitation should be proposed to the owner or water system manager based on the results of
the inspection, regulatory requirements, and professional judgment of the inspector.
Table 1 – Time frames for remedial or rehabilitation action (Price 2010)
Time frame
Annually
Every five years
(minimally)
Action needed
Coliform and anaerobic bacteria activity testing
Chemistry and biology of well and surrounding aquifer
Well should be cleaned, including the distribution line from the well to the
first discharge point
Disclaimer:
This publication is a collaborative effort to try to set forth best suggested practices on this topic but individual situations and local conditions may vary, so members and others utilizing this publication are free
to adopt differing standards and approaches as they see fit. The Association and professionals mentioned
on page 5 assume no liability or responsibility for the contents of this publication. Only qualified
personnel shall conduct any testing or inspection of the water well system for which they are qualified.4
All data collected during a water well system inspection shall be representative of conditions observed on
the date of inspection. All local, regional, state, and federal code and regulations supersede these guidelines in the instance of conflicting information.
Caution:
NGWA does not certify well inspections or the quantity or quality of any water produced and any
certification provided may pose legal risk and have potentially adverse legal consequences for anyone
providing such a certification.
4
Qualified shall mean knowledgeable and licensed, certified, or registered.
4
This document was reviewed by a task group composed of representatives from among the
NGWA membership and duly affected individuals. These included:
Steven D. Bennett
Erin Cole, M.S., CGWP
Ron M. Greene
David M. Hartman, CPI
Gary Hix, CWD/PI
Carl Holiday
Steve Kuckelman, CWD/PI
Rita Layten
Ron McAfee, CWD/PI, CSP-II
Bimal Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., CPG, CGWP
Deborah Post
Kurt Price, CPI
Samuel N. Tyler, CPI, CWS II
Robert F. Young
David R. Wunsch, Ph.D., PG
Jonathan T. Jenkins – editor, NGWA staff 5
References
American Water Works Association. ANSI/AWWA A100-06 AWWA Standard for Water Wells.
Denver: American Water Works Association, 2006.
EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. Sanitary Survey Guidance Manual for Ground
Water Systems. Washington: US EPA, 2008.
National Ground Water Association. ANSI NGWA-01-07 Water Well Construction Standard.
Westerville: National Ground Water Association Press, 2011.
NGWA. National Ground Water Association’s Lexicon of Groundwater and Water Well System Terms.
Westerville, Ohio: National Ground Water Association Press, 2011.
Price, Mike. “Checking Your Well System Checklist.” Water Well Journal, April 2010: 19-21.
Ross, Jill. “The Modern Contractor’s Well Rehab Toolbox.” Water Well Journal, April 2009: 20-23.
Sterrett, Robert J. Groundwater & Wells. 3rd Edition. New Brighton, Minnesota: Johnson Screens,
A Weatherford Company, 2007.
NGWA, a nonprofit organization composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals—contractors, equipment
manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers—is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA’s vision is to be
the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water.
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Copyright © 2011 by National Ground Water Association Press
ISBN 1-56034-019-3
NGWA Press
Published by: NGWA Press
National Ground Water Association
601 Dempsey Rd.
Westerville, OH 43081-8978
Phone/ 614 898.7791
Fax/ 614 898.7786
Email/ customerservice@ngwa.org
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