water Well maintenance - protect your ground water supply

 Water Well Troubleshooting & Professional Support

Owning and maintaining a water well can be challenging—especially if you're new to rural, acreage, or farm living. A variety of issues can arise that may affect the performance, pressure, or safety of your water supply. 

Common concerns include (but not limited to):

• Low water pressure
• Decreased flow rate
• Unusual taste or odor
• Complete loss of water
   

Just as you would with electrical, heating, or plumbing systems, it’s essential to consult qualified professionals when problems occur. At M&M Pumps Inc., our technicians are highly trained in the construction, operation, and maintenance of water wells and pumping systems. Each team operates under the supervision of a Journeyman Water Well Driller, ensuring expertise and adherence to industry best practices.

We take a thorough, hands-on approach—diagnosing the issue, walking you through our findings, and presenting clear, practical solutions to restore your water system quickly and effectively.

Well Shocking: A Cost-Effective Maintenance Solution

A well shock is a simple and cost-effective way to maintain the health and safety of your water well. It involves disinfecting the well system—typically with chlorine—to reduce bacterial growth and prevent contamination.

When should you consider a well shock?

• After a new well has been drilled
• Following repairs or servicing to the well or pump system
• In response to contamination concerns (e.g., positive bacteria test or foul odor)
   

While an annual well shock is recommended as part of routine maintenance, environmental factors and system usage can increase the need for more frequent treatment.

If you’ve never performed a well shock, or if you're unsure whether your well could benefit from one, contact us today. Our team can walk you through the process, discuss potential outcomes, and recommend the best approach for your specific water system.

Abandoning Unused Water Wells: Protecting Groundwater and Property Safety

Old or unused water wells pose a serious risk to both groundwater quality and property safety. If left unsealed, these wells can act as direct pathways for surface contaminants to enter the aquifer, potentially impacting drinking water supplies.

In addition to environmental risks, open or deteriorating wells can create significant physical hazards for people, pets, and livestock.

Proper decommissioning—also known as well abandonment—is the responsible and often legally required way to eliminate these risks. At M&M Pumps Inc., we follow industry best practices and regulatory guidelines to ensure wells are safely and permanently sealed, protecting both your property and the environment.

If you have an old or inactive well on your property, contact us to learn more about the decommissioning process and your options.

Grant opportunities available

• https://www.alberta.ca/water-program
• https://wheatlandcounty.ca/fundingopportunities/

Well Pits: Outdated and No Longer Permitted

While well pits were once a common practice for housing pressure systems, they are now prohibited under provincial regulations due to significant health and safety risks.

Why are well pits no longer allowed?

• High risk of contamination: Well pits are highly susceptible to surface water infiltration, which can contaminate both the well and the surrounding aquifer.
• Serious safety hazards: These confined spaces can accumulate toxic gases or become oxygen-deficient, posing a deadly risk to anyone entering the pit.
   

What’s the solution?
Well pits can be safely and permanently eliminated by:

• Relocating the pressure system above ground or into a heated structure
• Extending the well casing above ground level
• Installing a pitless adapter to maintain a secure and sanitary connection
• Properly backfilling the pit to restore ground integrity
   

At M&M Pumps Inc., we specialize in bringing outdated well systems up to current standards. Contact us to discuss your options and ensure your well is safe, compliant, and efficient.

Grant opportunities available

• https://www.alberta.ca/water-program
• https://wheatlandcounty.ca/fundingopportunities/