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Dover, MA Resident's guide to Water Well System Maitanance

By
Home Inspector with Northeast Water Wells Inc NH Lic# 59,60 and MA 762

If you own a home in Dover, MA it’s important that you follow proper protocol in maintaining your water well and your pumping system. Preventative Maintenance is a very simple process similar to having the oil in your car changed. The difference being is that you don’t even have to leave your home to have it done. Preventative Maintenance inspection on your well system can be scheduled in advance when you have time off. There are two main components of a well system to be considered when it comes to preventative maintenance Water Quality and Pumping System Mechanics.

 

Dover, MA is an old farm town with many of these farms and orchards still operating today. It’s beautiful and you don’t have to live there to admire the Old time American charm of the town. It is well known that all Dover, MA residents predominatly rely on a private water well system and septic due to the fact that there is only a small public water or sewer supply available. We have written this blog because we are dedicated to educating consumers on being responsible water well owners.

 

Water quality testing is of the utmost importance specifically to the town of Dover due to its agricultural background. The groundwater tables are influenced by agriculture due to the bacteria that farm animals present in their defecation and the fertilizers and growth hormones used. Other industries, including lumbering for the shipbuilding industry, a grist mill, a nail factory, and an iron rolling  which could also predominatly effect the water quality of the area. It’s important to maintain a strict water quality testing schedule.

 

Northeast Water Wells Inc Water Quality testing Recommendations are as follows:

 

Bacteria

Recommended to be tested yearly

Total Coliform Bacteria

Heterotrphic Plate Count

 

Basic Package

Recommended to be tested whenever there are noticeable water quality changes

Total Coliform Bacteria         Hardness

E-Coli Bacteria           Nitrate

pH                                           Nitrite

Sodium                        Chloride                       

Iron                                         Chlorine                       

Manganese                              Color                                                     

 

General Package:

Recommended to be tested every 3-5 years

Total Coliform Bacteria         Sodium                       Hardness

E-Coli Bacteria           Alkalinity                       Nitrate

Calcium                                   Ammonia                       Nitrite

Copper                                               Chloride                        pH

Iron                                         Chlorine                        Sulfate

Magnesium                              Color                            Turbidity

Manganese                             Conductivity                   Odor/Sediment

 

Comprehensive Package

Recommended to tested every 3-5 years

Total Coliform Bacteria         Sodium                       Hardness       Arsenic (Total)

E-Coli Bacteria           Alkalinity                       Nitrate                  Lead

Calcium                                   Ammonia                       Nitrite                   Potassium

Copper                                               Chloride                        pH                       Flouride

Iron                                         Chlorine                        Sulfate                 Radon

Magnesium                              Color                            Turbidity

Manganese                             Conductivity                   Odor/Sediment

 

Extensive

Recommended to be tested every 7- 10 years

Total Coliform Bacteria         Sodium                       Hardness       Arsenic (Total)

E-Coli Bacteria           Alkalinity                       Nitrate                  Lead

Calcium                                   Ammonia                       Nitrite                   Potassium

Copper                                               Chloride                        pH                       Flouride

Iron                                         Chlorine                        Sulfate                 Radon

Magnesium                              Color                            Turbidity                Flouride

Manganese                             Conductivity                   Odor/Sediment     P-dichlorobenzene

Radontetrachlorethylene            Carbon Tetrachloride    Trichloroethane    Cis-1

Dichloroethylene                       Toluene                        Dichloroethylene   Ethylbenzene Monochlorobenzene   

 

 

The Mechanical inspection consists of a full system check, air charge/ pressure balance, pressure switch check, performance check and inspection on mechanical equipment, Efficiency check, and inspection of the integrity of the well seal complete with detailed system recommendation and results. Mechanical inspections are recommended to be done yearly.

 

If your have any further questions regarding Maintenance inspections or water quality testing please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

 

The following publication from the NGWA regarding Water Well Maintenance:

 

http://wellowner.org//wp-content/uploads/2012/06/eight_tips.pdf

Show All Comments Sort:
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Ashley, I service a mostly rural community, and one can't underestimate the importance of proper well maintenance. It pays of during a person's ownership of the property, and it prevents a whole slew of problems when it comes time to sell.

Sep 12, 2012 06:20 AM