Timely completion of a construction project that relies on a private well depends on careful attention to well inspection requirements. Private wells serving new homes must pass required well construction inspections and meet water quality standards before a certificate of occupancy (CO) can be issued.
Every new private well must pass a grout inspection at the time the casing is installed. The well driller will schedule the grout inspection.
Both new and existing wells must also pass a wellhead inspection. The wellhead inspection is usually scheduled by the well driller or pump installer. Before requesting the wellhead inspection, be sure the well has power and has been disinfected, and chlorine has been cleared from the well.
At the time of the wellhead inspection, Wake County Environmental Services will also collect water samples required by the well permit. All wells serving new construction must pass testing for coliform bacteria and inorganics, but many well permits will also require testing for naturally-occurring uranium, pesticides, or volatile organic compounds. The required testing is specified by the permit and has already been paid for before the permit is issued.
Well testing can take two weeks or more to complete after the samples have been collected. Any exceedances of drinking water standards must be corrected and confirmed by lab testing before the CO can be released. In eastern Wake County, one in five wells will require treatment and re-testing for naturally-occurring uranium.
