Own a private well in Easton? You’re in good company. Many homes in Grafton County rely on drilled bedrock wells that deliver great water when they’re cared for. The challenge is that groundwater can change with the seasons and local geology, so a set-it-and-forget-it approach can put your water and plumbing at risk.
This guide gives you a simple annual plan that protects your drinking water and your home’s systems. You’ll learn what to test and when, seasonal maintenance to tackle in a few hours, common treatment options used locally, and red flags that mean it’s time to call a pro. Let’s dive in.
Why Easton wells need attention
In Easton and across Grafton County, most private wells are drilled into fractured bedrock. That geology can influence water yield and chemistry, which is why a regular testing and maintenance plan matters. Common issues for New Hampshire private wells include bacteria after heavy rain or flooding, nitrate from septic or fertilizers, iron and manganese that cause staining, hardness that creates scale, and naturally occurring arsenic that you cannot see, smell, or taste. Radon in water is possible in bedrock wells and may need evaluation if your indoor air radon is high.
Local agencies recommend staying on a schedule and using certified labs for testing. Routine checks help you catch small changes before they become bigger problems with water quality or your plumbing.
Your annual testing plan
A consistent testing rhythm is the best protection for your household. Use New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services certified drinking water laboratories and follow their sampling instructions carefully.
What to test every year
- Bacteria panel: total coliform and E. coli.
- Nitrate: especially important if infants or pregnant people are in the home or if you are near agriculture or a septic system.
- Visual inspection: look over the wellhead, cap, and surrounding area for damage, pooling water, or animal activity.
What to test every 2 to 5 years
- Minerals and inorganics every 2 to 3 years: iron, manganese, hardness, pH, sodium, and sulfate. Test sooner if you notice staining, scale, or odors.
- Arsenic every 3 to 5 years if your last result was non-detect or low. Test sooner if you add or change treatment.
- Radon in water as needed based on local geology, prior results, or high indoor air radon.
- VOCs or pesticides if you are near potential sources such as fuel storage or agricultural land, or if you notice new tastes or odors.
Test after specific events
- Immediately after flooding, major storms, shock chlorination, pump replacement, or well repairs.
- If water turns cloudy or discolored, develops a strong odor, or if anyone in the home has gastrointestinal illness that could be waterborne.
Where to get tests done
- Order analyses through NHDES-certified drinking water laboratories. They can advise on the right packages for private wells and provide sample bottles and instructions. University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension also offers homeowner guidance and education.
Seasonal maintenance checklist
A little seasonal attention keeps your system reliable and makes winter easier.
Spring tasks
- Test for bacteria and nitrate if you have not done the annual test yet, or if snowmelt or runoff was heavy.
- Clear debris and vegetation within a few feet of the wellhead and fix grading that allows surface water to pool.
- Inspect the well cap or sanitary seal for cracks, loose bolts, or gaps that could allow insects or rodents to enter.
- Run each faucet to flush lines and check for odors, discoloration, or low pressure.
- If you have a softener or iron filter, confirm salt levels, settings, and backwash cycles.
Summer checks
- Replace or check sediment prefilters on whole-house systems as needed.
- Pay attention to any taste or odor changes since biological activity can shift with warmer weather.
- Keep the well area secure and clearly marked. Maintain safe setbacks from livestock areas and gardens.
Fall prep
- Winterize outdoor spigots and irrigation lines. Drain and insulate where appropriate.
- Inspect the pressure tank and pump area for leaks or corrosion.
- Schedule annual service for softeners or other treatment systems if recommended by the manufacturer.
- If you rely on a generator for outages, confirm fuel, test start, and verify pump electrical connections.
Winter protection
- Protect the wellhead and exposed piping from freezing. Confirm insulation and check any heat tapes.
- Listen for abnormal pump cycling, which can signal a pressure tank issue.
- Keep snow cleared from around the wellhead so it is accessible in an emergency.
Treatment systems that work here
Choose treatment only after you have confirmed test results. Match the system to the contaminants and your flow rate.
Sediment and carbon basics
- Sediment prefilters: Capture sand and silt to protect downstream equipment. Replace cartridges about every 3 to 6 months, or sooner if pressure drops.
- Activated carbon: Improve taste and odor and reduce some organic chemicals. Replace cartridges about every 6 to 12 months or follow media replacement schedules.
Softening and iron removal
- Ion-exchange softeners: Reduce hardness that causes scale and can help with small amounts of iron. Check salt monthly and schedule annual service.
- Iron and manganese filters: Systems like greensand, catalytic media, or air-injection can prevent staining and metallic tastes. These require regular backwashing or regeneration and periodic media service.
Reverse osmosis at the sink
- RO units at the kitchen tap can reduce many dissolved substances, including nitrate and some forms of arsenic. Replace prefilters every 6 to 12 months and membranes every 2 to 4 years. Sanitize the system on a regular cycle.
UV for disinfection
- UV systems inactivate bacteria and viruses, but only work well if the water is low in turbidity. Replace the UV lamp annually and clean the quartz sleeve as needed.
Radon and aeration options
- Aeration systems can strip radon or volatile contaminants from water before it enters the home. They need periodic mechanical service and correct venting. Granular activated carbon may be used in some cases, but follow New Hampshire guidance for suitability and disposal since media can accumulate radioactivity over time.
When to call a professional
Some situations require immediate help or licensed expertise.
- Positive E. coli: Stop using the water for drinking and food prep. Use bottled water or boil water until the system is disinfected and retested by a certified lab.
- Repeated coliform positives or ongoing contamination: Hire a licensed well driller or environmental professional to investigate sources, such as septic influence.
- High iron, arsenic, radon, or nitrate that needs treatment: Consult a qualified water treatment specialist. Ask for systems with appropriate certifications and written maintenance schedules.
- Pump, pressure tank, or electrical issues: Call a licensed pump contractor, plumber, or electrician. New Hampshire requires licensed contractors for well drilling and pump work.
- Wellhead damage or casing concerns: Do not attempt repairs yourself. Schedule professional inspection.
Simple calendar to follow
Monthly
- Check softener salt and refill if needed.
- Look for leaks at fixtures and around the pressure tank.
Quarterly
- Replace sediment prefilters if you notice turbidity or pressure drop.
Spring and Fall
- Inspect and clear around the wellhead. Adjust grading for good drainage.
- Winterize or de-winterize outdoor plumbing.
Annually
- Test for total coliform and E. coli bacteria.
- Test for nitrate.
- Service major treatment equipment as recommended, such as UV lamp replacement and softener service.
- Check pressure tank precharge per manufacturer or installer guidance.
Every 2 to 5 years
- Test minerals and inorganics like iron, manganese, hardness, pH, sodium, and sulfate every 2 to 3 years.
- Test arsenic every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if results change or treatment is installed.
- Consider radon in water, VOCs, or pesticides if your location or results suggest risk.
Red flags and quick actions
Respond fast if you see warning signs. Quick action protects your health and your home’s systems.
- Positive E. coli or known pathogen: Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking. Arrange shock chlorination by a professional and retest with a certified lab.
- Sudden discoloration, strong odors, or persistent cloudiness: Stop using water for consumption and test before resuming.
- Rapid pump cycling, loss of pressure, or continuous running: Turn off the pump at the breaker and call a licensed pump contractor to prevent motor damage.
- Missing or damaged well cap, or animal activity near the well: Secure the well, clean up the area, and order a bacteria test.
Keep records and stay ahead
Good documentation makes ownership easier. Keep a simple binder or digital folder with your lab reports, service receipts, filter-change dates, and equipment manuals. Note any changes in taste, odor, or appearance and what you did in response. If you sell your home, this record shows buyers that you managed the system responsibly.
Have questions about how a private well factors into buying or selling in Easton and nearby White Mountains communities? We are happy to share local insight on typical water quality issues, common treatment systems, and what to expect during inspections. Reach out to schedule a conversation with Bel Casa Realty and get clarity for your next move.
FAQs
What should Easton homeowners test in a private well each year?
- Test for total coliform and E. coli bacteria, and test for nitrate. Also do a quick visual check of the wellhead and surrounding area for damage or pooling water.
How often should I test for arsenic in a bedrock well?
- Test for arsenic when you buy the property and then every 3 to 5 years if results are low or non-detect. Test sooner if you install or change treatment.
When do I need to retest my well water after maintenance?
- Retest immediately after shock chlorination, flooding, well repairs, or pump replacement, and any time the water’s taste, odor, or appearance changes.
What treatment systems are common for Easton wells?
- Many homes use a whole-house sediment filter, a softener or iron filter for staining and scale, and a point-of-use reverse osmosis unit at the kitchen sink. UV disinfection is used where bacteria are a concern.
Who should I call for well testing and repairs in New Hampshire?
- Use NHDES-certified laboratories for drinking water tests, licensed well drillers and pump installers for well or pump work, and qualified water treatment professionals for system design and service.
