If you live in a rural area, it is very likely that you have a well instead of piped water. Having a well is great because it guarantees clean water, but it comes with some problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), well water is not subject to the same regulation as public water supplies, and the onus is on property owners to ensure it’s safe. We’ll be discussing the importance of testing your well water and what you need to know about it.
1. What is Well Water Testing?
Well water testing is a process of sampling and analyzing water from your well to determine if it’s safe for consumption. The test results will show the water contaminant level and check whether it is within safe limits. These checks can include physical, chemical, and bacteriological tests.
2. What are the Common Contaminants, and Why Are They Dangerous?
The most common contaminants in well water are bacteria, nitrates, lead, arsenic, and radon. Drinking water with high levels of these contaminants can cause serious health problems like infant blue baby syndrome, cancer, heart disease, or neurological damage. It’s important to remember that some pollutants do not have a taste, odor, or color, so you would only know their presence with a test.
3. When Should I Test My Well Water?
It is recommended that you test your well water at least once a year. However, if you notice that your water tastes or smells unusual or has had any system changes, you should test your water immediately. These changes could be, among others, repairs to your well system or geological upheavals.
4. What Should I Do if My Water is Contaminated?
If the contaminants in your water exceed safe levels, you should stop drinking the water immediately and switch to bottled water. You should also contact a certified water treatment specialist to help you address the problems in your well. The specialist will recommend the appropriate systems to filter out the contaminants and make your water safe to drink again.
5. How do I Get My Well Water Tested?
Testing your well water is a fairly easy process. You can purchase well water testing kits from your local home improvement stores or online. The testing kits come with instructions; you can do the testing yourself. However, if you’re uncomfortable with doing the testing yourself, you can contact your local public health department or a certified water testing laboratory.
Contact us For All Your Water Treatment and Filtration Needs
If you notice a strange taste in your water or contaminants, Easterday-Wilson Water Services can help. We treat countless water quality problems and eliminate common water contaminants on a daily basis. Call us at 301-831-5170 for additional information and schedule your free water evaluation today.