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Well Inspection Checklist – Using Wellcare® Information for Home Inspectors and eAuditor 

This guide walks you through a well inspection using Wellcare’s Well Inspection Checklist, enhanced with eAuditor. We’ll include real examples, a case study, and field-tested insights so you walk onto every property prepared and confident. Inspecting private wells is more than a technical check—it’s a matter of health, safety, and trust. For the 13+ million U.S. homes relying on private wells, a missed detail could mean contaminated drinking water or costly repairs.

What is the Wellcare Well Inspection Checklist?

Wellcare, part of the Water Systems Council, provides one of the most thorough and respected checklists in the industry. It aligns with EPA and state-level guidance and helps ensure consistency across inspections.

The Wellcare Well Inspection Checklist covers:

• Site Conditions

• Wellhead Components

• Pump & Pressure System

• Water Quality Testing

• Owner Knowledge and Records

Using this checklist as your foundation within eAuditor ensures your inspection meets best-practice standards and produces clear, documented reports.

Section 1: Prepare with eAuditor and Wellcare

Before You Go On-Site:

• Load the Well Inspection Checklist into eAuditor as a custom template.

• Attach reference documents (e.g., Michigan Well Construction Code).

• Pre-fill client details and property information.

• Bring water sample bottles if you’ll be collecting tests.

Tip: eAuditor lets you create dropdowns and conditional logic fields—use this to mirror the Wellcare format exactly, ensuring nothing gets missed.

Section 2: On-Site Walkthrough with the Well Inspection Checklist

Follow this detailed walkthrough, which blends Wellcare’s criteria with field-smart practices and eAuditor use.

1. Site Location and Protection

• Is the well at least 50 feet from septic tanks and 100 feet from leach fields?

• Check for nearby contamination sources: livestock pens, fuel storage, runoff slopes.

Example: I once inspected a well in Hillsdale County where a horse barn was only 25 feet away. The checklist flagged it immediately. eAuditor geo-tagged the image and noted the exact distance.

2. Wellhead and Surface Seal

• Is the well cap vermin-proof, secure, and undamaged?

• Casing should extend 12″ above grade and be sealed at the surface.

• Look for electrical conduit integrity and waterproof seals.

Anecdote:
In a 2023 inspection, a mouse nest inside the well cap had gone unnoticed for years. The Wellcare checklist prompted the “cap integrity” check—and eAuditor’s photo capture made it easy to show the client what I found. They installed a sanitary seal the next day.

3. Well Casing and Venting

• Inspect the casing for cracks, corrosion, or signs of impact.

• Vent openings must point downward and be screened (to prevent insects or debris).

• Confirm that the casing material meets code (steel or approved PVC).

Pro Tip: Use eAuditor to take a 360° video of the wellhead area—great for documentation and training.

4. Pressure System Components

• Inspect the pressure tank: Is it leaking? Is it waterlogged?

• Check gauge readings and cut-in/cut-out pressure settings.

• Look for evidence of pump short-cycling.

Checklist Tie-In:
The Wellcare list reminds you to ask the homeowner when the tank was last replaced—this helps correlate with visible wear.

Section 3: Water Testing and Sampling

Water Quality Evaluation (Recommended, Not Always Included in Basic Inspections)

According to Wellcare, inspectors should recommend the following tests:

• Bacteria (Total Coliform and E. coli)

• Nitrate/Nitrite

• Lead, Arsenic (regional)

• Iron, Manganese, Sulfates (if staining or taste issues are noted)

With eAuditor:

• Add fields to note what samples were taken.

• Upload test results when available.

• Auto-generate a follow-up reminder for annual testing.

Example:
A buyer in Bay City was concerned about sulfur smell. Using eAuditor, I checked the “odor” field, flagged hydrogen sulfide as a possible issue, and linked the local lab’s contact for testing. That simple action sealed the deal with the buyer.

Section 4: Reviewing Maintenance Records

The Wellcare checklist prompts inspectors to review:

• Well completion report (depth, construction)

• Past water test results

• Maintenance or repair history

• Water treatment systems (softeners, filters)

If unavailable: note this in eAuditor as a risk factor. You can even flag “Missing Records” as a checkbox item and recommend further investigation.

Client Tip:
Encourage homeowners to start a Well Log Binder or digital folder—offer a free template link in your report.

Section 5: Final Report and Client Communication

Creating the Report in eAuditor

Include:

• A summary score or risk indicator (use color codes: green/yellow/red)

• Wellcare checklist sections with your findings

• Annotated images and location maps

• Clear recommendations and test timelines

Educating the Client

Use your report to walk clients through the findings. Keep it simple:

“Your well casing is intact, but the seal needs upgrading. We recommend replacing the cap with a vermin-proof model within 30 days.”

Pro Tip: eAuditor allows voice-to-text notes—use this to record and transcribe quick client messages or comments directly into your report.

Case Study: Rural Well Near Agricultural Field

In 2022, I inspected a property outside Lansing with a well 70 feet from a large cornfield. The well appeared sound, but the Wellcare checklist prompted me to ask about pesticide runoff. The homeowner hadn’t tested in over five years.

Using eAuditor, I flagged nitrate testing as critical, linked a certified lab, and added a report note: “High agricultural activity—testing advised annually.” A follow-up revealed nitrates just below the EPA limit. Without the checklist, that would’ve gone unmentioned.

Conclusion: Build Confidence Through Consistency

When you combine the Wellcare Well Inspection Checklist with eAuditor’s smart tools, you give your clients more than a report—you give them peace of mind.

By staying thorough, informed, and client-focused, you’ll stand out in your field and help safeguard water quality for years to come.

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