RESPONSIBILITIES OF WELL OWNERSHIP
Well Maintenance
After construction, well owners are legally responsible for maintaining the well so that surface water and foreign materials cannot enter. Poor maintenance is one of the most common causes of well contamination.
- Ensures safe drinking water
- Extends the life of the well
- Prevents contamination
- Reduces costly repairs
- Protects groundwater and aquifers
Common Well Maintenance Issues
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks provides a detailed well inspection and maintenance checklist to guide well owners:
Licensed professionals are recommended for:
- Open annular space
Wells have a structural gap that must be sealed so that surface water, animals, contaminants, or shallow groundwater can't pollute the deeper aquifer. - Insufficient casing height
Casing must extend at least 40 cm above grade. Short casings are more vulnerable to contamination and damage. - Missing or damaged caps
Create direct pathways for contaminants to reach the aquifer. - Corroded or damaged casing
Holes can allow water, sediment, or roots to enter the well.
- Inspect the well cap, annular seal and casing during routine yard activities (e.g., cutting grass), but at least annually (and after major weather events like heavy rainfall and during snowmelt). These times make it easier to observe runoff, ponding, or other warning signs.
- Test well water 2–3 times per year, or more often if issues arise.
- Use accredited laboratories and keep test results with well records.
- Keep chemicals, fuels, and hazardous materials away from the well.
- Maintain a minimum 10-metre clear zone around the wellhead.
- Ensure ground slopes away from the well to prevent runoff.
- Hire licensed well contractors for repairs, upgrades, or inspections.
- Keep the area around the well clean.
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks provides a detailed well inspection and maintenance checklist to guide well owners:
Licensed professionals are recommended for:
- Interior well inspections
- Removing or reinstalling well caps
- Pump and electrical work
When Your Well's Not Well At All
Some of the most common issues include bacteria in wells, decreased yield, and a change of taste, odour, and/or colour.
- Sudden changes in taste, smell, or colour
- Cloudy, rusty, or sediment-filled water
- Decreased water pressure or flow
- Frequent pump cycling or unusual noises
- Air bubbles in water lines
- Failed water quality tests (bacteria, nitrates, etc.)
Stop using the water immediately if:
- Water is cloudy or discoloured
- Water smells or tastes unusual
- You receive a positive bacterial test result
Do not drink, cook with, or bathe using contaminated water. Use bottled or
alternate safe water sources until testing confirms the water is safe. Continued
use of contaminated water can pose serious health risks.
Treat your well water Well Disinfection Tool: Public Health Ontario
When to Shock a Well
- New well installation
- Pump servicing
- Bacterial contamination
- Incorrect shocking can damage pumps, casing, and the environment
- Contact a professional if unsure
Crucial precautions for lakeside properties:
Water Treatment Options- Never drain chlorinated water directly into the lake (or streams, ponds, or storm drains), as it is highly toxic to fish and aquatic organisms.
- Do not drain large amounts of chlorinated water into your septic system, as it can kill the beneficial bacteria needed to treat waste.
- Discharge away from sensitive landscaping, vegetable gardens, and, if possible, onto a gravel driveway or area that allows for soil absorption.
- UV disinfection (with proper pre-filtration)
- Chlorine or hydrogen peroxide systems
- Activated carbon filters
- Iron filters
- Water softeners
- Reverse osmosis (for metals, pesticides, chemicals)