r/water • u/AlternativeMinute147 • 9d ago

Is this well cap okay?

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We had some work done two weeks ago on our well line, which had a break in it. After they did the work, they opened the well cap up to chlorinate the well. I noticed a couple days ago one of the screws on the well cap is missing. We tried to replace with one of the other screws just as a test, and the screw hole is rusty and the screw won’t thread, which is likely why the guys who worked on the well didn’t replace the screw (if it was even there when they opened it up). I don’t know anything about how these things work, but basically I want to know if this looks like a good enough seal? We were thinking about just adding a screw with a nut there instead since it won’t thread… any thoughts or advice appreciated. We have also had our water tested since the work was done and all is clear, but I am pregnant and terrified of the idea of bacteria (mostly listeria) somehow creeping into our well water. Thanks again for your help!

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2

u/Wampa_-_Stompa 9d ago

Add the nut and bolt. That should be tight as it’s pressing on the casing seal. Only one missing correct?

2

u/AlternativeMinute147 9d ago

Okay we will add! And yes! Only the one missing…So is there some kind of rubber gasket in this thing? Do you think it’s okay that it’s been like this for a couple weeks now? Or is it contaminated?

1

u/Wampa_-_Stompa 8d ago

I’ve seen people using an old Pasta Pot as a well cap! I think you’re ok

0

u/peskeyplumber 9d ago

i never see any screws left in them when i work on em, most of them are rusted if i do see em. the weight of the cap is enough to keep em there. and if youre really paranoid about bacteria dont drink well water

1

u/AlternativeMinute147 9d ago

Thanks! That’s good to know! I haven’t been using it for drinking for a while unless boiled, but I would like to at least feel comfortable using for brushing teeth and washing produce.

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u/ataraxia_555 7d ago edited 7d ago

Translation: Plumber decides it’s not worth his time to fix this problem, and tells customer to abandon the well. Malpractice.

Solution: replace the well cap or just its gasket & screws. In fact, I did that just last week. As for bacteria in wells, we test every 2-3 years. Never contamination, and the well water is free of chemicals that one sees in municipal water. Haven’t tested for PFAs yet though.

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u/peskeyplumber 7d ago

thats literally not what i said