The Office of the State Engineer Partners in National Groundwater Awareness Week

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 27 February 2015 27 February 2015

(SANTA FE, New Mexico) - National Groundwater Awareness Week (March 8 - 14) serves as a good reminder to water well owners. Just as you check your furnace or smoke detector batteries seasonally, spring is a good season to have an annual water well checkup before the peak water use season begins, according to the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

Why is it a good idea to have my water well checked annually?

An annual checkup by a qualified water well contractor is the best way to ensure problem-free service and quality water.

Also, preventative maintenance usually is less costly than emergency maintenance, and good well maintenance - like good car maintenance - can prolong the life of your well and related equipment. NGWA further recommends you test your water whenever there is a change in taste, odor, or appearance, or when the system is serviced.

Schedule your annual water well checkup

Wells can provide high-quality drinking water, and about half the U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells. But with well ownership comes the responsibility of keeping the water well in good working order. A check of your well by a qualified water well contractor may include:

  • A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping (if possible), pump motor performance (check amp load, grounding, and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contact, and general water quality (odor, cloudiness, etc.)
  • A well equipment inspection to assure it is sanitary and meets local code.
  • A test of your water for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides, and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor.

The National Ground Water Association also recommends that well owners:

  • Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your well, and maintain a "clean" zone of at least 50 feet between your well and any kennels and livestock operations.
  • Maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste systems, and chemical storage areas.
  • Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
  • Keep well records in a safe place. These include the construction report, and annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.

The Office of the State Engineer is responsible for the licensing of well drillers in the state of New Mexico and regulating the construction and abandonment of wells. Any person desiring to engage in the drilling of one or more wells for underground water within the boundaries of any underground source shall file an application for a driller license. The Well Drillers Licensing program is administered by the Santa Fe Statewide Projects group within the Water Rights Division. For more information, call Project Lead Jerri Pohl at (505) 827-6120.

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