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A well provides you with a source of water when you aren’t connected to a municipal supply or want to remain self-sufficient. If you no longer have a use for the unit, you may think that simply forgetting about it is enough. However, you’ll need a water well service to officially decommission the well to ensure you meet state guidelines. To help you effectively and safely seal your equipment, here’s a guide to why this service is necessary and what to expect.

What Are the Dangers of Unused Water Wells?water well services

A well that is abandoned or out of service poses a hazard to children and animals, who could fall inside. Accidents can also happen if a vehicle is driven over an open, abandoned well pit. 

An abandoned well also serves as a conduit for contaminants and pollutants that may affect underground bodies of water or aquifers. This is because an old unit usually has corroded casings and a broken cap, allowing in bugs, rodents, runoff, or toxic chemicals that contaminate surface water. These elements may leach into the ground and flow straight to nearby water supplies.

How Well Filling & Sealing Works

Once you’ve decided to decommission a unit, rely on a trusted water well service contractor to properly seal it. This is a mandate in states like Wisconsin, and licensed contractors have the equipment and technical expertise to prevent contamination. Well sealing procedures differ according to state or region, but you must give notice to your local Department of Environmental Protection, Board of Health, or Water Quality Division for documentation purposes.  

Sealing a well starts from the bottom up. A water well service provider will uninstall and remove pumps, pipes, and other equipment, then flush the pit using an air compressor or bailer. Then they will introduce the backfilling material, including grout, concrete, clay, or bentonite chips. Ordinary cement is rarely used, since it doesn’t provide a watertight seal after curing.

 

If you have an abandoned or unused well in your home, talk to the professionals at Affordable Pump & Well Repair. Serving the community throughout La Crosse, WI, they provide a broad range of water well services, including installation and pump repair. In business for over 45 years, they ensure your water supply is reliable. Learn more about what they do online or call (608) 788-6451 to schedule an appointment.

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