A water well on your property is an important responsibility, and maintenance is crucial when the weather turns bad. After a particularly harsh storm, flooding can occur in or around the well and usually requires immediate repairs. It’s your job to know what steps you should take to minimize the damage of floodwater and how you can best keep your well operating effectively after the storm passes. 

Below are three tips you can use to restore your water well to full functionality after a flood:

• Know What You’re Looking For: Your main concern should be looking for signs of contamination in your water. The floodwater should recede after a few days and give you a better view of how much debris and dirt was deposited into the well. Look for erosion as well as exposed or damaged electrical wiring and a properly sealed cap. If there are any problems with these components, it’s likely the water is contaminated and requires professional service. 
• Start Fresh: Once you’ve determined the well is contaminated, flush out all the water to start fresh. Homeowners can use household cleaning supplies to remove mud and debris visible to the naked eye and correct any slope that was created by the entry of mud and water. Next, call your local well service to take a closer look and use their specialized equipment to drain the well and clean it out thoroughly. 
• Remove Bacteria: Floodwater brings with it harmful bacteria and germs that must be removed before the well can be used again. The most effective way to sanitize the inside of the well is to use a concentrated bleach solution in the plumbing system. Once the area is clean, bring in a professional for water testing to ensure the well is safe to use. 

If your home’s water well has recently experienced a flood, call Coolwater Drilling. For more than 40 years, this team of qualified well maintenance experts has helped homeowners in western Washington keep their wells safe no matter the weather conditions. For more information, visit them online or call (360) 830-9005 for Bremerton or (360) 426-3545 for their Shelton location.