Picture
Domestic water well in the forest.
Well water

Ensure the condition of the well in case of winter

Release
22.10.2020 11:14

In autumn, protecting the well from surface runoff is important. Ensure the protection of the well against autumn rains: adequate embankment around the well and moving the earth away from the well, good seals in the structures of the upper part of the well and in the pipe passages.

Clean the ditches near the well so that rainwater and runoff water is channeled past the well. Make sure that the roots of the trees do not damage the structures of the well.

Remove leaves and other soiling material accumulated on the cover of the well, for example by brushing. Adjust the ventilation of the well for the winter. Beware of too effective ventilation, so that the well does not freeze. In winter, the ventilation opening must remain above the snow bank.

Mark the well site with a plowing cloak for the winter if the well is close to the yard road to be plowed. Ensure the condition of the frost protection around the well.

Small animals do not belong in the well

In autumn, rodents and other small animals seek warm places, including wells. The access of animals to the well through the ventilation pipe is prevented by installing a durable and dense enough metal mesh at the upper end of the ventilation pipe. A net should also be installed in the overflow pipe of an artesian well (water rises to the surface of the ground under its own pressure along the pipe without pumping), because the pipe can act as a passageway for animals to the well. The structures and joints of the well must be so tight that there is no opening for even an ant to enter the well.

The borehole hole is also protected from small animals and the ventilation of the service well is taken care of so that potentially harmful gases generated in the borehole can be released from the well.

Tight lid ensures safety

The well cover must be durable and tight. A manhole cover that is in particularly poor condition and is under a heavy snow cover in winter increases the risk of falling into the manhole. In addition, a weak, leaky cover may let dirty rainwater and meltwater into the well.

The wells located in the courtyard often want to be equipped with a wooden cover. However, a wooden cover is generally weaker, shorter-lived and not necessarily as tight as a concrete or metal cover. The wooden cover should be used as a drinking water well cover with consideration, because its condition requires constant monitoring. Sustainable wood should not be used for the well cover or other structures, so that harmful substances do not end up in the well water.

Examine the quality of well water in the laboratory

In addition to checking the condition of the well and maintaining the well, the quality of the well water should be examined regularly. Well water may be contaminated with microbes or chemicals, even if it looks or tastes good. Cloudy water should not be used for drinking or cooking. Test the well water quality approximately every three years or if you notice a strange color, smell or taste.

Sample containers from Saimaa Vesi-ja umöristötutkimus Oy can be obtained from the service points of the municipalities in the Imatra region, where the samples can also be returned on predetermined days or taken directly to the laboratory. More detailed instructions From the website of Saimaa Vesi- ja umvirötutkimus Oy.

More information on well maintenance and upkeep as well as other well matters can be found on the online service of the state environmental administration. The text for this article has been partially copied from the website of the Environmental Administration.

Water procurement from a well, the website of the environmental administration