Having your own well provides a nearly limitless supply of fresh, clean water, but the wellhead itself can make landscaping a difficult and frustrating project. While you might be tempted to cover the wellhead with grass or even bury it, these tactics can actually contaminate your drinking supply and lead to unnecessary water pump repairs. If you’re landscaping this summer, below are some do’s and don’ts for designing and working around your wellhead.

Do:

Keep the ground sloping away from the wellhead.

Intact wellheads are watertight, but surface water can infiltrate the well if it’s allowed to pool around the casing. The sloped ground allows rainwater and the contaminants it carries somewhere to go.

Keep your wellhead at least 12 inches above the ground.

Having your wellhead protrude from the ground makes it easy to locate if you need emergency water pump repairs. The extra distance also makes it less vulnerable to infection by bacteria, fertilizer, and other contaminants.

Don’t:

Plant flowers or shrubs around your wellhead.

Trees, bushes, and other plants might seem like a smart way to conceal your wellhead, but they can actually put your water supply at risk. In addition to the risk of roots interfering with the pipes and wiring, you also run the risk of fertilizer seeping into your water supply.

Use heavy machinery near the wellhead.

If you’re planning a major outdoor remodeling project, keep earthmovers and bulldozers away from the wellhead. When such heavy machinery is involved, even a simple mistake could damage the cover, leaving your water supply vulnerable to chemicals, pests, and dangerous microbes.

Since 1971, Stackhouse & Son Well Drilling has been Northeast Pennsylvania’s trusted source for water pump repairs and new well installations. If your well has run dry or you’re planning a new development, you can depend on their team for expertise and industry-leading customer service on every job. Get more tips and advice on Facebook, learn more about their water pump repair services online, or call (570) 784-5034 to schedule an appointment.