Many Missouri homes sit on a private well, and the owner may not know how it was built. The construction method affects how well the water is protected from the surface, how often it may need testing, and what kind of professional should look at it. This guide covers surface clues that help you narrow it down. It does not replace a written record or a visit from a qualified well contractor.
Why the Build Method Matters
Private wells in Missouri are generally built in one of three ways. Each leaves a different footprint at the surface, and each has a different exposure profile.
- Dug wells are excavated by hand or with heavy equipment and lined with stone, brick, tile, or concrete. They are wide and usually shallow.
- Bored wells are augered into the ground. They are typically larger in diameter than drilled wells, shallower, and cased with steel or plastic.
- Drilled wells are bored by a drilling rig through soil or rock. They are narrow, reach deeper water-bearing zones, and usually end at the surface in a sealed cap.
Shallow dug and bored wells can be more exposed to surface water moving through the soil, so they may deserve more frequent testing than a deeper drilled well. A drilled well is not automatically safe, but its construction often provides more separation from the surface.
Surface Clues to Look For
- A large round or square lining visible at ground level, often stone, brick, or concrete block, suggests a dug well.
- A concrete slab or heavy lid over a wide opening points toward either a dug or a bored well.
- A small metal or plastic casing with a vented or sealed cap, sitting in a pump house or on a concrete pad, is typical of a drilled well.
- Cracks, gaps, or missing mortar in a lining can let surface water in and should be recorded.
- A lid that does not seal well, or a cap with a missing screen or gasket, is worth noting whatever the build type.
Check the Written Record First
Before you look more closely, search for a completion record or past service paperwork. Records often list the depth, casing type, and construction method. If you recently bought the home, check the closing file or ask the seller. If no paperwork turns up, a qualified well contractor can usually identify the type during a visit.
Safety Limits on a Surface Check
Do not open a dug well lid and climb in or lower anything into it. Older wells can have poor air, loose lining, and hidden openings. Keep children and pets away from any open or unmarked well. Do not remove or loosen a well cap to look inside. Your check should stay at ground level, with a flashlight and a notebook.
What to Record
- The date and the well's location on the property, with a simple sketch of the yard.
- The type of lining or casing you can see, and its material.
- The condition of the lid, cap, gasket, and any visible cracks.
- The general distance from nearby features such as driveways, drains, and animal areas, described in plain terms.
- Any old paperwork you found, and where it is kept.
How the Build Type Shapes Testing
Your build type helps guide what to test and how often. A dug well near a barnyard may call for a different testing plan than a drilled well set back from the yard. Have samples analyzed by a certified laboratory, and review the results with a qualified professional. Keep your notes with the test reports so you can compare readings over time.
When to Call a Professional
Call a qualified well contractor if the record is missing and the surface features are unclear, if you see a cracked or open lining, or if water test results raise questions. Ask for a written description of the well type and its main components, including the casing, cap, and any pitless connection.