Well Cap and Casing Repair in Spokane County: What Washington's Rule Says

The cap and casing are what keep surface water, insects and debris out of a well. Washington's rule, WAC 173-160-291, sets minimums for casing height, caps, access ports and vents, and a qualified professional should do any repair.

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What the cap and casing do

The casing is the pipe that lines the well, and the cap seals the top. Together with the surface seal, they protect the water from whatever is on the ground. A cracked casing, a missing or loose cap or an unshielded vent are places where contamination can get in.

WAC 173-160-291 says well casing must extend at least 6 inches above ground, and 2 feet above the 100-year flood level at a site that floods. Drilled wells must be capped with a metal or plastic cap that is mechanically secured or welded, access ports must be sealed, and vents must be shielded and at least 6 inches above the land surface. Pitless adapters must use fittings approved by the Department of Health, with the point where the adapter joins the casing above the static water level unless designed otherwise. Whoever removes the surface seal to install a pitless adapter is responsible for having the seal repaired to land surface.

NGWA also lists wellhead checks in its inspection guidance, and says casing should extend at least 12 inches above ground. Washington's minimum is 6 inches, so cite the Washington rule when asking what applies.

WAC 173-160-231 describes the surface seal as filling the space around the casing, with a minimum seal of 18 feet, a drilled hole at least 4 inches larger in diameter than the casing, and fill to land surface with bentonite or neat cement. Reconstruction that needs seal repair requires 18 feet of new seal.

When people look into this

The cap is cracked, loose or missing.
The casing is damaged or leaning.
A vent or access port is open.
The casing sits below ground in a pit or low spot.
A flood has reached the wellhead.
A landowner is regrading near the well.

What the work usually looks like

Look at the wellhead. Photograph the cap, casing, vent and ground around it.
Call a professional. A registered professional looks at it.
Compare with the rule. Casing height, cap and vent are compared with WAC 173-160-291.
Agree on the scope. What is repaired or replaced goes in writing.
Repair. The professional does the work.
Test the water. The Washington Department of Health recommends testing after work on the system.

How to prepare

Before work starts, it helps to settle these points:

Take photos of the wellhead and the ground around it.
Note any change in water quality.
Do not regrade or pile soil around the casing.
Ask how high the casing sits above ground.
Ask whether the site floods.
Ask which trades are involved.
Check each company on the L&I page.
Get the price in writing.

What affects the cost

Prices vary widely with the well, the pump and the work. For cap and casing work, the extent of damage matters most.

Extent of damage. A new cap costs less than casing work.
Casing height. Raising or extending casing takes more work.
Flood site. Flood sites have a higher minimum above the flood level.
Surface seal. Seal repair adds work.
Access. How easily the wellhead can be reached.
Testing. Water testing afterward is separate.
Written scope. What the price covers.

Surface water is the main risk

A damaged cap or casing is a way for surface water, insects and debris to reach the well. That is why the rule sets a minimum height above ground and, for flood sites, above the 100-year flood level. A wellhead in a low spot or a pit is the case worth asking about.

If water has covered the wellhead, the Department of Health recommends testing afterward. Do that before assuming the water is safe, and ask a registered professional to look at the wellhead.

Local rules and sources

Wellhead rule. WAC 173-160-291 says well casing must extend at least 6 inches above ground, and 2 feet above the 100-year flood level at a site that floods. Drilled wells must be capped with a metal or plastic cap that is mechanically secured or welded, access ports must be sealed, and vents must be shielded and at least 6 inches above the land surface. Pitless adapters must use fittings approved by the Department of Health, with the point where the adapter joins the casing above the static water level unless designed otherwise. Whoever removes the surface seal to install a pitless adapter is responsible for having the seal repaired to land surface.

Surface seal. WAC 173-160-231 describes the surface seal as filling the space around the casing, with a minimum seal of 18 feet, a drilled hole at least 4 inches larger in diameter than the casing, and fill to land surface with bentonite or neat cement. Reconstruction that needs seal repair requires 18 feet of new seal.

NGWA guidance. NGWA's inspection page also advises keeping a 50-foot clean zone between a well and livestock and removing roots within 10 feet of the well. It says casing should extend at least 12 inches above ground, while Washington's own rule, WAC 173-160-291, sets the minimum at 6 inches above ground, so use the Washington rule when you ask what applies to your well.

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.

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.

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

How high must well casing be above ground in Washington?

WAC 173-160-291 says casing must extend at least 6 inches above ground, and 2 feet above the 100-year flood level at a site that floods. NGWA says at least 12 inches, but the Washington figure is the rule cited here. A professional can check your wellhead against it.

What does Washington's rule say about well caps?

WAC 173-160-291 says drilled wells must be capped with a metal or plastic cap that is mechanically secured or welded, access ports must be sealed and vents must be shielded and at least 6 inches above the land surface. If your cap is cracked, loose or missing, ask a registered professional to look at it.

Who should repair a well cap or casing?

A qualified, registered professional. Contractors are registered with the Department of Labor & Industries, and some well work has its own rules. Check each company on the L&I page, ask which trades the job involves and put the scope in writing. This site does not give instructions for opening or repairing a well.

Should I test the water after cap or casing work?

Yes, particularly if the old cap was damaged. The Washington Department of Health recommends testing private well water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate, after flooding and after you replace any part of your well system. Ask your county health department how and where to test.

How much does cap and casing repair cost?

Prices vary widely with the well, the pump and the work. The extent of damage, casing height, flood-site requirements, any surface seal repair and access change the total. Get a written scope that lists what is included, so prices from different companies cover the same work.

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