Private well maintenance and protection
A properly functioning well requires ongoing maintenance and protection.
Stormwater is the water from rain and melting snow.
Private well owners are responsible for protecting the well's water, inspecting the well, and regular testing. Protecting your well water helps to stop or reduce chemicals, fuels, and animal waste from getting into the well.
To protect and maintain your well, do the following:
Other information
If possible, replace underground storage tanks with above-ground tanks to eliminate the risk of potential spills or leaks and maintain your septic system.
Owners of private septic systems are responsible for the proper maintenance, safe operation, and repair of their systems.
A malfunctioning septic system can cause private well contamination and affect the quality of water in the well.
Refer to Septic Smart! for information on maintaining your septic system and helping to protect your surrounding source water, and ensure your septic system meets the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
Inspect your well at least once a year at the same time you check for contamination
- Be sure you can always access your well. Keep trees, plants, debris, and other obstructions out of the way.
- Check the well cap for signs of cracking or damage. If there's a problem, fix it right away.
- Check the sealant that's used to fill the space between the drilled hole and the well casing. If the sealant is cracked or has shrunk or collapsed, repair the seal.
- Check for a damaged, cracked, or dislocated well casing. If possible, remove the casing and examine it for holes or cracks, signs of animal infestation, or stains coming from the casing joints.
- Look for water backup or ponding. Sometimes contaminated water can flow backwards through your plumbing and into your well. Backflow prevention devices are available from a licensed well contractor or pump installer.
- Remove the cover from your well pit and look for water, debris, and vermin. A well pit can contain toxic gases, so do not enter the pit.
- When disinfecting your well, calculate the amount of chlorine product needed by using this tool.
Learn more about managing a small-diameter well.
You are responsible for any well on your property. You must follow rules for maintaining your well or abandoning it if necessary. For more information about responsibilities in owning a well, refer to wells on your property.
To find a licenced well contractor, search the Ontario Directory.
The water quality in a private well can change over time. Regularly testing your well will help you properly maintain its water quality. Naturally occurring minerals can also affect how well water looks, smells, and tastes. These minerals can result in hard water, a rotten-egg smell, or staining, but do not affect the quality of well water.
The water from your well can become contaminated with bacteria that can make you sick. Test your well water to make sure it’s safe to drink at least 3 times a year in the spring, summer, and fall.
If you have test results that say your water is unsafe to drink, or you need help figuring out what your well water test results mean, contact Peel Public Health.
Until your well water is safe to use, drink bottled water, or treat it through boiling.
Pour the water into a heat-resistant container or an electric kettle without an automatic shut-off. Boil the water for at least 1 minute to kill all disease-causing organisms.
If your well water is contaminated with chemicals, boiling will not make it safe to drink. Use bottled water as a source of emergency drinking water.
