Immediate action guide
Water Well Contractor Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a water well contractor arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
No Water From Well
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the pressure tank, well controls, pump area, and fixtures.
- Turn off high-water-use appliances and avoid rapid breaker resets.
- Check for obvious leaks around the pressure tank without touching wet electrical parts.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a well contractor and report pressure gauge reading, pump noise, and recent storms.
Do not do this
- - Do not keep cycling the pump or opening sealed well components.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Well Pump Short Cycling
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the pressure tank, pump controls, breaker, and nearby floor.
- Stop water-heavy use and turn the pump off if it is overheating, noisy, or leaking.
- Keep the equipment room clear and watch from a dry location.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a well contractor and describe cycling frequency, pressure range, and water use.
Do not do this
- - Do not adjust pressure switches or tank air charge during an emergency.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Flooded Wellhead
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the wellhead, standing flood water, pump wiring, and nearby soil.
- Stay out of flood water and stop using well water until a professional evaluates it.
- Keep vehicles, pumps, and foot traffic away from the wellhead area.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a well contractor and local health or water authority for post-flood testing instructions.
Do not do this
- - Do not open the well cap or try to disinfect the well without professional direction.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Discolored Well Water After Storm
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the faucets, pressure tank, wellhead, and storage containers.
- Stop using the water for drinking, cooking, or ice until testing or guidance clears it.
- Label containers filled during the event and keep them separate.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a well contractor and local health or water authority for sampling guidance.
Do not do this
- - Do not add chemicals or filters as a substitute for testing after storm contamination.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Pressure Tank Leak
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the pressure tank, pump controls, floor drain, and nearby outlets.
- Turn off the well pump breaker if safe and close the house water valve if available.
- Keep water away from controls and route small leaks to a drain with towels or pans.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a well contractor and report whether the leak is from fittings, the tank body, or relief valve.
Do not do this
- - Do not touch wet electrical devices, outlets, cords, panels, or switches.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.