Crossword Genius

Water shaft has a tight tin lid that's intended to be helpful (4-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

well-meant

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'intended to be helpful' is the definition.

'water shaft has a tight tin lid' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'water' could be 'well' (well water is a kind of water) and 'well' is present in the answer.
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'met' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'that's' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for well-meant that I've seen before include "Done with good intentions but poor result" , "Kind" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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