Wells typically replenish at a rate of about five gallons per minute, but several variables can influence how quickly they refill. A deep well will take more time to replenish than a shallow one. The replenishment rate can be slowed by issues such as leaks, damage, a faulty well pump, or a clogged well screen. Other factors, such as the surrounding geology, regular precipitation, and proper maintenance, also affect the recovery rate.

You should have your well inspected once per year. You should also have a well inspection done when you’re buying a house with a private well, when the well cap is opened, when the septic tank is repaired, or when there is flooding.

During your annual visit, a pro will make sure that everything is working correctly and check for certain contaminants, including total coliform. Every other year, they’ll look for things like metals and nitrates, and every five years, they’ll test for pesticides.

Ideally, you should conduct a mechanical inspection and a bacterial or well water inspection yearly. While you might be able to push it off to every other year, it’s best to have peace of mind, especially when it comes to something that you use so frequently. 

If you experience repeated gastrointestinal illness in the household, it's important to test the well water more regularly for quality and cleanliness to check for bacteria.

A sprinkler pump may not turn on because of problems with the power supply or the circuit breaker. It can also stop working if the motor burns out. If it’s not a tripped breaker, a burned-out motor, or another issue with the power, it’s time to call in a sprinkler repair pro to take a closer look.