Well Cap

[allseason]

How high above grade does the top of the casing and the cap need to be for a drilled well? This one is right on grade. Is there a requirement or just that it needs to be high enough to avoid contamination?

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[Les]

We have local and state requirement of 12" for 4"+. All wells since late 70's must have exposed wellhead, no buried and none smaller than 4". I suspect some exceptions for exposure height could be made if the cap and pipe were actually sealed.

Also, there is the common sense aspect. Do you know what is actually under that cap? I don't think I'd want Fido watering that particular cap!

[allseason]

It's a steel casing under the cap. Common sense prevails and I told them to raise the casing and cap to prevent contamination. My feeling is that the previous homeowner raised the grade around the top of the casing and cap.

[John Kogel]

If that was mine I'd just dig it out and build a concrete box or drop a concrete ring around it with a good solid lid.

[Bill Kibbel]

Is there a requirement or just that it needs to be high enough to avoid contamination?

Yes. NJ requires well casings extend at least 12" above grade, unless the casing is in a well pit or pump house.

[allseason]

Is there a requirement or just that it needs to be high enough to avoid contamination?

Yes. NJ requires well casings extend at least 12" above grade, unless the casing is in a well pit or pump house.

So I thought, although I had heard 18"

Thanks