Few companies in the water well and pump field earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they’ve been independently rated Highest in Quality. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, Weeks Drilling & Pump Company falls into another impressive category: It’s been providing residential and commercial water solutions for Northern California customers for more than 100 years. “As far as I know, the only Sebastopol-based company that’s older is the Sebastopol Times newspaper,” says CEO Chris Thompson.

Weeks Drilling & Pump Company not only designs and drills new water wells, but it also offers water treatment and testing, water pumps and tanks, and well repairs. The company works on jobs of every size, from small repairs and installations to servicing complex industrial and vineyard water systems. “We have the largest fleet of specialized equipment in the North Bay,” says Mr. Thompson. “That means we have broader capabilities than our competitors and can quickly mobilize, which is important to our customers.”

Weeks Drilling & Pump Company also has the largest database of existing well information in Sonoma County, which helps its employees quickly find water for new wells that are being drilled. “Those records are all computer-indexed and available to help our customers find new water sources,” says Mr. Thompson. “They’re very valuable to our operation.”

Mr. Thompson says his customers frequently comment on how fast Weeks Drilling & Pump Company was able to arrive and perform its services. “Unlike some other companies, we really strive to get the water back on during the same day.”

Weeks Drilling & Pump Company has a second facility in Ukiah, which furthers its service area and expands a customer base that’s been growing exponentially since 1906. Mr. Thompson sees the company’s extended success as a reflection of its business approach. “There have been very few ownership changes in the long history of this company,” he says. “It’s family-owned and family-oriented, and we intend to keep it that way.”

Maintaining your private well is the key to its efficiency and longevity. Typically, something has to go wrong before private well owners know the particulars of how to properly maintain their systems. The following basic tips for water well maintenance can help prevent costly repairs and solve small problems before they develop into large-scale ones.

Don’t try to service your own well.
Water wells aren’t easy to service without specialized tools, equipment and training. Every time a well owner removes a well cap and attempts to service the well in some way, there’s the potential to unwittingly introduce bacterial contamination into the water supply. There’s also the potential for dropping objects (such as tools) into the well, or getting the pump stuck in an effort to replace it. It’s always best to contact a qualified water well systems contractor to conduct any kind of service.

Preventive maintenance is less costly in the long run.
Small, easily correctable well problems can become large, inconvenient, expensive problems without the proper preventive care. The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) conducted a recent poll that showed 80 percent of respondents had never had a well maintenance inspection. Treating your water well system this way is like having an auto mechanic look under the hood of your car after a catastrophic breakdown.

Do some homework before getting your water well system serviced.
This is a good idea whether you’re getting a well maintenance check-up or service for a specific issue. A well maintenance check-up should include four components. First, a flow test to determine system output, along with a water level check before and during pumping (if possible), pump motor performance (check amp load, grounding and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contacts, and general water quality (odor, cloudiness and so forth). Next, an inspection of the well equipment to assure it’s sanitary. Third, a test of your water for coliform bacteria, nitrates and anything else of local concern. Finally, a concise, clear, written report should be delivered following the check-up that explains results and recommendations and includes all laboratory and other test results.

Take simple, ongoing steps to maintain your well.
The NGWA has put together a comprehensive maintenance checklist for residential well owners. Here are some excerpts:
• Always use licensed or certified water well drillers and pump installers when a well is constructed, installed or serviced.
• An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended. Any source of drinking water should be checked any time there’s a change in taste, odor or appearance.
• Keep hazardous chemicals such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides and motor oil away from your well.
• Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing to ensure it’s in good repair.
• Always maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste systems or chemical storage facilities. Your professional contractor knows the rules.
• Don’t allow back-siphonage. When mixing pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals, don’t put the hose inside the tank or container.
• When landscaping, keep the top of your well at least one foot above the ground. Slope the ground away from your well for proper drainage.
• Take care when working or mowing around your well—a damaged casing could jeopardize its sanitary protection.
• Keep your well records in a safe place. These include the construction report and annual water well system maintenance and water testing results. • Be aware of changes in your well, the area around your well and the water it provides.

Q: When the water goes off, does that mean my well has gone dry?

A: That’s almost never the case. There are many causes for the water going off. Some are simple and some aren’t, but it’s unusual for a well to just go dry. We reassure people who have rural properties with rural water supplies that, in most cases, they can have a reliable water supply without being hooked up to city water systems.

Q: Is my water safe?

A: To answer that, we need to ask questions about the water supply, gather some information and do at least a minimal amount of testing. We’re capable of helping our customers determine if their water is safe.

Q: What if I find out my water isn’t safe? What should I do?

A: We sell water treatment equipment that will reliably turn unsafe water into good quality drinking water. We can also treat surface water from creeks or lakes and bring it to drinking water standards using new technologies. We understand concern about water safety, and we’re good at picking the right technology to fix a particular problem. The water treatment systems we install exceed industry standards.

Q: Do you test the water after you install a water treatment system?

A: Yes. We also offer ongoing service, so customers don’t have to worry about the maintenance or technical details of their water systems. We handle everything.

Q: How long does it take to drill a well?

A: Generally, drilling a well takes one to several days, and then we need to install a pump and evaluate the water quality. But it takes longer to obtain a permit, so the whole process can take several weeks.

Q: Can you help me get permits?

A: Yes. We handle all permit issues and work with all the health departments in the North Bay. We take care of every detail.

Q: I’m converting to city sewer. Can you help with that process?

A: No. We’re strictly a water company, not a wastewater company.