If your home in St. Louis, St. Charles County, or the suburbs around them gets its water from a private well, the well is your responsibility from the pump to the tap. A simple record book, on paper or in a shared folder, keeps the facts in one place. When a pump fails or a water test comes back with a question, you will not have to guess at the history.
What to write down
- The well log or driller's report from when the well was drilled, if you have it. Note the recorded depth, the casing details, and the water level noted at completion.
- Every water test, with the date, the lab name, and the list of tests that were run.
- Pump and pressure tank records, including installation dates, model numbers from the labels, and any service visits.
- Repairs and disinfection work, including what was done, who did it, and when.
- Changes to the system, such as new treatment equipment, altered plumbing, or a new storage tank.
- Notes on weather and site conditions, such as heavy rain, yard flooding, or a dry spell that changed the water's color, taste, or smell.
Where to find the original paperwork
Start with the folder from your home purchase. Look for the seller's disclosure, inspection reports, and any notes from the previous owner. Then ask your county or the state environmental agency whether a well record was filed for your property. Older wells may have no paperwork at all, and that is useful to know too. Write down what you searched, where, and what you found, even if the answer is nothing.
Testing and keeping the results useful
Testing usually falls into two groups. Bacteria tests check for coliform bacteria and E. coli, which show whether the water has been exposed to surface contamination. Chemical tests check for substances such as nitrate, metals, and hardness minerals. A single result tells you little on its own. Results become useful when you can compare them against earlier results from the same tap, collected the same way. Keep every report, including the ones that look unremarkable, and note the sample location and whether the water was treated before it was collected.
Seasonal entries for St. Louis weather
- Spring: After snowmelt and heavy storms, note any cloudiness, odor, or sediment in the water, and whether it cleared on its own.
- Summer: Record irrigation schedules, changes in pressure during watering, and any dry periods that coincided with taste or color changes.
- Fall: Note leaves, debris, or standing water near the wellhead, and check that the cap and vent screen are in place and intact.
- Winter: Record cold snaps and check the pump house or basement area for freezing, drafts, or unusual noises from the pump.
Keep the book where it can be found
Store the paper original in a fireproof box or a dry, known place, and scan every page into a folder you can access from a phone. Share a copy with anyone who may handle the home later, including a future buyer or a new contractor. An inspector or service technician can work faster and more accurately when the history is complete, and the record book gives them a starting point instead of a blank page.
When to call a licensed professional
Pump, pressure tank, and wellhead work should go to a licensed well contractor. Do not open the wellhead or attempt pump repairs yourself unless you have the training and tools to do it safely. Use the record book to describe the problem clearly when you call: when it started, what you noticed, what changed in the days before, and what you already tried. A clear history helps the contractor focus on the cause, and it gives you a record of the result for your next entry.