Spring storms and high river water can reach the equipment that keeps a private well running in St. Charles. A short storm plan, put in place before the forecast turns, makes those days less stressful and speeds up the walk-through after the water drops.
Check the Well Site Now
- Walk the area around the wellhead and note any spots where water collects after heavy rain.
- Confirm the well cap is tight, its seals are intact, and the vent screen is clean and undamaged.
- Make sure the ground slopes away from the casing so surface water does not pool against it.
- Keep the pump house or electrical box dry and closed, and note any cracks or gaps in the housing.
Plan for Power Loss
Many St. Charles wells run on electric pumps, so a power outage means no water pressure at the tap. Decide ahead of time how your household will handle that. Store drinking water in clean, sealed containers, and keep flashlights and batteries where you can find them in the dark.
If you use a generator, place it outdoors and away from windows and doors. Never run it inside a garage or basement. Confirm your backup power can keep the pump and any treatment equipment running, or know how to shut the system down safely.
Know What Floodwater Can Carry
Floodwater carries mud, silt, surface runoff, and whatever it picks up along the way. When water rises around a well, it can enter through gaps in the cap, a damaged casing, or an unsealed pipe opening. Treat any well that was under water as suspect until it has been inspected and tested.
After the Water Recedes
- Do not run the pump until the electrical box and wiring have been checked for water damage and a qualified person has looked at the system.
- Look at the well cap, vent, and casing for cracks, shifted soil, or silt inside the cap.
- Hold off on drinking from the tap until a lab result comes back clean. Ask the lab to test for coliform bacteria and nitrate, since runoff can carry both into a well.
- Flush the system and run faucets only after the inspection is complete and the system is safe to use, following a service guide.
- Retest once the system has been flushed and is running normally.
Keep Records
Write down the date of the storm, the water level you observed, any repairs, and the dates of your tests. A simple log helps anyone servicing the system and makes it easier to tell whether a change in taste, color, or flow is new.
Keep the storm plan on paper in the same place as your well log. Reviewing it once each season takes only a few minutes and gives you a clear next step when the next storm arrives.