Water Well Camera Inspection: What It Finds and Which Camera to Use
A water well camera is a waterproof camera on a cable that you lower into a well to see the casing, bottom and anything that has fallen in, so you can find problems directly instead of guessing. For narrow wells, the Well-Vu 500 FT Fisheye fits wells as small as 1½ inches ID with 500 feet of cable. For deeper holes or a side-wall view, the Laval R-CAM 1000 reaches 1,000 feet with a 360° rotating side view. Both can be rented from Environmental Equipment + Supply by the day, week or month, and both record footage.
What a well camera can show you
- Cracks, gaps or joint problems in the casing
- Sediment buildup and debris at the bottom of the well
- Biofilm or slime growth on the casing and equipment
- Blockages and obstructions
- Lost tools or equipment that need to be retrieved
- The overall condition of the well, documented on video with depth readings
A camera shows what is growing or collecting in the well. It does not test the water, so pair an inspection with water-quality testing if you suspect contamination.
When to inspect a well
- Before buying or selling a property with a private well
- After pump or well service, to confirm the work
- During routine maintenance, to track changes over time
- When water clarity, taste or odor suddenly changes
- After flooding or severe weather
- When a tool or piece of equipment has dropped into the well
Choosing a well camera: Well-Vu vs. Laval R-CAM
| Well-Vu 500 FT Fisheye | Laval R-CAM 1000 | |
| Best for | Narrow or deep wells where a wide view helps | Deep, detailed inspections with a side-wall view |
| Well size | Wells as small as 1½-inch ID | Boreholes 3 to 4 inches and up to 12 inches; 2-inch OD camera head |
| Depth / cable | 500 ft Kevlar-type reinforced cable; lens factory-tested to 1,000 ft of full submergence | 1,000 ft Kevlar-reinforced coaxial cable; pressure-tested to 500 PSI |
| View | 180° fisheye | Dual view: down-hole plus 360° rotating side view |
| Display and recording | 15-inch LCD command center; digital recorder (SDHC); on-screen depth in feet or meters (“Top of Casing Zero”) | 9-inch monitor/DVR; records to a 16GB SD card or USB drive; on-screen depth in feet and tenths or meters |
| Image and lighting | 550 lines of resolution | High-intensity LEDs for forward and side views with five brightness settings; BK-7 glass lens |
| Power | 12V DC vehicle or marine battery | 12VDC battery pack; electric reel on a two-wheeled cart with a 36-inch extendable boom |
| Rental (day / week / month) | $125 / $565 / $1,970 | $250 / $1,125 / $3,840 |
| Notes | Prep fee applies | Ships by freight only; prep fee applies; camera weighs 18 lb |
How to inspect a well with a camera
- Choose the camera that fits your well diameter and depth.
- Set up power and the reel. Both systems run on 12V DC.
- Lower the camera slowly while watching the live feed and the depth counter.
- Pause at changes: casing joints, screens, sediment and anything unusual.
- Record and log depth for every finding so repairs and future inspections can be compared.
A camera shows the problem, but interpreting it takes experience. If you are not sure what you are looking at, record the footage and have a qualified well professional review it.
Rent or buy a well camera?
If you inspect a handful of wells a year, rent. The R-CAM 1000 rents for $3,840 a month, while the Laval R-Cam 1000 TLE portable borehole camera is listed for sale at $18,600, which is roughly five monthly rentals. Our rental cameras are professionally maintained and ready for use on arrival, and equipment can ship anywhere in the United States. Buy only if you inspect wells on a regular schedule. See the full lineup in our borehole camera rentals.
Frequently asked questions
What can a water well camera detect?
A well camera can show casing cracks, sediment, biofilm growth, blockages and dropped tools, and it records the footage with depth readings. It cannot measure water chemistry, so use it alongside water-quality testing when contamination is a concern.
How deep and how narrow a well can a camera inspect?
The Well-Vu 500 FT Fisheye inspects wells as small as 1½ inches ID and carries 500 feet of cable. The Laval R-CAM 1000 carries 1,000 feet of cable and is suited to boreholes from 3 inches up to 12 inches in diameter, with both down-hole and 360° side views.
Can I rent a well camera instead of buying one?
Yes. Both cameras are available for daily, weekly or monthly rental. A prep fee applies to each, and the R-CAM 1000 ships by freight. Contact our team for availability and to match a camera to your well.
Ready to inspect your well?
Browse borehole camera rentals and cameras for sale, or contact us or call 717.901.8891 to talk with a specialist.