Well Pump Replacement in Spokane County: Rules and Trades

Under Ecology's well rules, replacing a pump is not counted as altering a well (WAC 173-162-030). Other trades can still be involved: contractors are registered with L&I, electrical work generally requires an electrical contractor license, and plumbing work generally requires certified plumbers.

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What pump replacement involves

Replacing a well pump swaps the pump that moves water from the well to the house. It can be a stand-alone job, or part of work on the tank, the controls or the wiring.

Under Ecology's well rules, replacing a pump is not counted as altering a well. WAC 173-162-030 says well alterations include deepening, hydrofracturing or other operations meant to increase well yields or change the well's characteristics, and do not include general maintenance, cleaning, sanitation and pump replacement.

That does not mean no rules apply. Pump work can involve other trades, and each has its own registration or license. Knowing which trades are in the scope helps you check each one before the work starts.

When people look into pump replacement

A pump has stopped working.
A pump is old and the owner is planning ahead.
A pump keeps starting and stopping.
Water production has dropped and the pump is a suspect.
A home on a well is changing hands and the pump comes up.
A tank or control replacement has the pump in its scope.

What the work usually looks like

Describe the symptoms. What the system is doing, and for how long.
Assess the system. A qualified professional looks at the pump, tank, controls and wiring.
Agree on the scope. What is replaced, and which trades are involved, goes in writing.
Check registrations. Each company's registration is checked on the L&I page.
Replace. The pump is replaced by the professionals named in the scope.
Check the result. Water production and pressure are watched afterward.

How to prepare

Before a pump is replaced:

Note the symptoms and when they began.
Gather paperwork on the pump, tank, controls and well.
Ask which trades the job involves.
Check each company's registration on the L&I page.
Ask what registrations and licenses the company holds for the work.
Ask about water testing afterward, since the Department of Health recommends testing after any part of the system is replaced.
Get the price in writing, with what it includes.

What affects the cost

Prices vary widely with the well, the pump and the work. For pump replacement, the cost depends on the system and the scope.

The pump. Different pumps cost different amounts.
Depth and access. How deep and how reachable the pump is changes the work.
Related parts. Tank, switch and wiring may be in the scope.
Trades involved. Electrical and plumbing work can be separate trades.
Testing. Water testing afterward is separate.
Written scope. What the price includes.

Testing after replacement

The Washington Department of Health recommends testing private well water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate, and also after you replace any part of your well system. A pump is part of that system. Asking your county health department how and where to test, and keeping the result with the paperwork for the replacement, closes the loop on the job.

Sources and registration

Ecology's rules. Under Ecology's well rules, replacing a pump is not counted as altering a well. WAC 173-162-030 says well alterations include deepening, hydrofracturing or other operations meant to increase well yields or change the well's characteristics, and do not include general maintenance, cleaning, sanitation and pump replacement.

Trades. Pump work can involve other trades: contractors are registered with the Department of Labor & Industries, electrical work generally requires an electrical contractor license, and plumbing work generally requires certified plumbers, with some exceptions. Check a company's registration on the Washington Department of Labor & Industries “Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business” page.

Testing. The Washington Department of Health recommends testing private well water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate, and also when you notice a change in taste, color or smell, after flooding, and after you replace any part of your well system. Your county health department can tell you how and where to have it tested.

Safety. Work on pump wiring, pressure tanks and wells can involve electricity, stored pressure and, in some cases, contaminated water, so it belongs with a qualified professional.

Reasons to trust this page

Most statements on this page name their public source, such as the Department of Health or the Department of Ecology.
Cost factors are explained in plain terms, and this site does not quote prices.
The email address is shown at the top of every page, and the Privacy page says what a quote request collects.

Common questions

Does replacing a pump count as altering a well in Washington?

Under Ecology's well rules, no. WAC 173-162-030 says well alterations include deepening, hydrofracturing or other operations meant to increase well yields or change the well's characteristics, and do not include general maintenance, cleaning, sanitation and pump replacement. Other trades can still be involved.

Which trades can be involved in pump replacement?

Contractors are registered with the Department of Labor & Industries, electrical work generally requires an electrical contractor license, and plumbing work generally requires certified plumbers, with some exceptions. Ask which trades your job involves, and check each company's registration on the L&I page.

Should I test my water after a pump is replaced?

The Washington Department of Health recommends testing private well water after you replace any part of your well system, in addition to testing every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate. Your county health department can tell you how and where to have it tested.

How much does pump replacement cost?

Prices vary widely with the well, the pump and the work. For pump replacement the cost depends on the pump, how deep and reachable it is, which related parts are in the scope and which trades are involved. Get a written scope that lists what is included, so prices from different companies can be compared.

How do I check a pump company's registration?

Search the company on the Washington Department of Labor & Industries “Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business” page. Ask which registrations and licenses it holds for the work it will do, since pump work can involve electrical and plumbing trades, and put the answers with the written price.

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