Owning a private well means you have direct control over your household water, from how it’s sourced to how it tastes.
However, that level of control brings significant responsibility; without regular care, including well pump repair in Manchester, MD, and beyond, your well system can encounter problems that affect water quality, pressure, and long-term performance.
Many well owners are surprised by how much maintenance goes into keeping their system in peak condition. This article lays out a thoughtful routine to help maintain your home’s well system, which can prevent costly repairs and protect your water supply for many years to come.
Understanding the Components of a Well System
Delivering water to a home through the use of a well requires several important components working together in a single system.
The wellhead and sanitary cap keep out insects, debris, and runoff from the surface level; beneath the surface, a casing made from steel or PVC lines the borehole to maintain structure and protect the aquifer. A pitless adapter connects the well to the home’s plumbing in a frost-proof and sanitary manner.
Inside the well, the drop pipe carries water upward from the pump, while a check valve prevents it from flowing back down. Pumps may be submersible or jet types, depending on well yield and household demand. In the home, a pressure tank, pressure switch, and gauge help maintain steady water pressure and reduce pump cycling.
Some systems also include treatment equipment such as sediment filters, softeners, reverse osmosis units, or UV disinfection systems to improve water quality based on testing results.
Inspecting the System Inside and Out
Inspections done on a consistent schedule make it easier to fix problems early and avoid high repair costs later on. Outside, check that the well cap is secure, the gasket is intact, and all bolts are in place. Electrical wiring should pass through a sealed conduit with no gaps or openings.
Maryland regulations require the casing or pitless adapter to be at least eight inches above the finished grade; the surrounding soil should slope away from the well to prevent standing water. Maintain a clean perimeter around the well, free from contaminants like fertilizers and pet waste.
Inside, watch the pressure gauge when a faucet is running. Rapid cycling on and off, known as short cycling, may indicate a waterlogged or undersized tank, an improperly set precharge, or even a leak.
To check precharge, shut off power to the pump, drain the tank, and set the air pressure to 2 psi below the cut-in setting on the pressure switch. Most systems are set to operate at 30/50 psi or 40/60 psi, with the pump starting at the lower number and stopping at the higher number.
Protecting Water Quality Through Testing
Changes in weather, surrounding land use, or the aquifer can alter your water quality throughout the year. Annual testing for coliform bacteria, nitrates, pH, and dissolved solids is recommended for all private wells across the Old Line State.
Testing should also be done after floods, system repairs, or any noticeable changes in taste, odor, or appearance. State-certified laboratories, listed through the EPA or local health departments, are the best resource for accurate results.
Some areas may require testing for contaminants such as arsenic, manganese, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, or radionuclides. Lead can also be a concern, often originating from household plumbing rather than the well itself.
Many homeowners are choosing to test for PFAS chemicals, using EPA health benchmarks as a reference for treatment decisions.
Maintaining Water Treatment Equipment
For reliable performance, treatment systems require consistent servicing. Choose equipment that matches the results of your water testing, and verify performance claims through NSF/ANSI certifications.
Activated carbon filters can address taste issues and certain contaminants when rated under NSF/ANSI 53 for health-related reductions or NSF/ANSI 42 for aesthetic improvements. Reverse osmosis units help reduce a broad range of pollutants, while UV disinfection systems target microbial contamination.
Make sure to carefully follow all manufacturer recommendations for replacing filters and UV lamps. Reverse osmosis prefilters and carbon cartridges often need replacing every 6 to 12 months, while UV lamps need to be replaced yearly.
Even if a UV lamp still appears to be working, its effectiveness diminishes over time, lowering its ability to disinfect.
Addressing Contamination and System Changes
If testing shows coliform bacteria or E. coli, stop using the water for drinking and consult the local health department.
Many states publish guidelines for shock chlorination, which involves adding chlorine to the system, circulating it throughout the plumbing, allowing it to sit for the correct contact time, and then flushing and retesting. Flooding or heavy runoff can also introduce contaminants; water should be treated and tested before use in these situations.
Any other changes in performance should be reviewed and resolved without delay as soon as they’re found.
- If water pressure drops suddenly, it may be due to a clogged filter, dirty screen, or pump trouble.
- Metallic taste or blue-green stains may indicate corrosive water drawing metals from pipes.
- A rotten egg odor often comes from sulfur bacteria or natural hydrogen sulfide. In all cases, testing and professional assessment will guide the next steps.
Keeping Your Well System Reliable for the Long Term
A well system performs best when it receives consistent attention, timely testing, and proper maintenance. Staying proactive helps prevent water quality issues, protects equipment, and provides dependable service for years to come. Having a knowledgeable partner makes that process simpler and more effective.
At Tri-County Pumps, we have been serving Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia for over three decades, offering well pump systems, water treatment, septic services, and plumbing expertise under one roof. We bring decades of hands-on experience and take immense pride in guiding homeowners through every step of maintaining a healthy water supply.
If your system is due for a checkup or you have concerns about performance, we invite you to contact us today. Call us directly at 1-(301)-882-2776, schedule service through our website, or use our online contact form to connect with our team.
