How To Improve The Quality of Your Well Water

Water pollution can impact your overall health in multiple ways.. There are various steps involved in improving well water quality, from monitoring the water quality to well water treatment. Read this blog for more information.

What are some of the well water contamination warnings?

Evidence reveals that about 44.5 million Americans who get their water supply from privately dug wells are at a higher risk of exposure to contaminants than those who get their water from a controlled community water supply.

There is also evidence to suggest that while many private wells provide high-quality water, a significant portion of them may contain contaminants. According to a study of waterborne illness outbreak data from 1971 to 2006, the proportion of outbreaks linked to public water supply declined while the incidence of outbreaks linked to private well pollution surged.

A variety of natural and manufactured contaminants can taint wells. Some contaminants, like coliform bacteria, will make you sick right away, while others, like radon or heavy metals, may not make you sick for years. Some have visible, taste, or odor indications, but that may be the limit of their impact. Others are unnoticed, yet they are potentially considerably more deadly.

The first step towards improving the quality of your well water is to identify the source of the problem. That said, the following are some of the tell-tale signs to indicate that your well water may be contaminated:

A. Visible Signs

• Water that is cloudy or turbid due to the presence of dirt, silt, rust, or clay salts.

• The presence of dissolved iron in water is indicated by brown-red stains on sinks, dishwashers, or garments in the wash.
• Water scale or scum caused by magnesium or calcium salts.
• Cloudy water that clears after standing may contain air bubbles caused by a malfunctioning pump or an issue with the filters. You can get in touch with HydroWells for well pump services.
• High acidity leaves green stains on sinks and taps.

B. Taste Signs

• Water with dissolved alkaline minerals has an alkali/soapy taste to it.
• High sodium levels in water give water a salty or brackish flavor.
• Metallic flavor due to acidity or a high iron level in the water
• Industrial chemicals or insecticides have a chemical flavor.

C. Odor Signs

• A rotten egg stench in your water might be caused by dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas or certain microorganisms.

(NOTE: If the odor is only present when using hot water, it is most likely due to a malfunctioning component in your hot water heater.)

• Chlorine odor caused by over-chlorination.
• Methane gas or a musty/earthy odor in water caused by rotting organic matter.
• Once extracted, a detergent stench and water that foams may indicate septic tank seepage into your water well.

Things You Can Do To Improve The Quality of Your Well Water

1. Water Monitoring/Testing

It's critical to test the safety and cleanliness of your well water. Because the EPA or state regulators do not control private wells, all water quality monitoring is your responsibility as a homeowner.Comprehensive monitoring followed by testing should be performed on a regular basis, and it should include tests for:

Bacteria, mercury, nitrates, arsenic, chromium 6, radon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as other chemicals and pollutants.

There are various indicators to look for when determining well water quality. The tester searches for a specific set of pollutants. The Water Quality Indicators (WQI) test will detect and quantify germs and other contaminants in water.

The occurrence of these water quality indicators does not necessarily imply that your well water is dangerous. On the other hand, authorities test for them since it is easy to check for them. It's also because it can reveal the existence of other pathogenic bacteria and sewage. They could be derived from either animal or human feces.

• How to do it?

A water sample from your home's tap will be collected for well water testing. The water sample is then sent to a recognized testing facility that will give a report detailing the test's findings and the acceptable limits for each element. For suggestions on the type and frequency of appropriate testing for your location, it’s best to contact your local environmental health department.

• What should be the frequency?

As a well owner, you should make it a point to test your water at least once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and any other pollutants considered a problem in your area. If any of the following apply to your water, you should test it more frequently:

• Change in the taste, appearance odor of your well water
• Bacteria had already contaminated the well.
• A fractured well cap, floodwater inundation, or when a newer potential source of pollution might arise.
• If the septic system has failed or malfunctioned recently.
• If there are infants or elderly in your home.
• If gastrointestinal sickness is a common occurrence among locals and visitors.

2. Well Water Treatment

Contaminants aren't the sole reason that water needs to be treated. Some individuals want to treat their well water in order to improve its taste. Some folks prefer to take extra care to protect the well's users' health.

If you discover that your well water has become tainted, don't be too concerned. There are numerous treatment methods available.

• Filtration Systems

A water filter is a device that removes a variety of pollutants and impurities from the water supply. To filter your water supply, a water filtration system could use a biological process, chemical, or physical barrier to filter your water supply. This is to ensure that it is suitable for consumption. These can include:

• Under Sink Water Filters
• Countertop Water Filters

• Chlorination

Chlorination renders germs inactive by dissolving their cell membranes. It can cause respiratory and DNA activities to be disrupted. It is possible to chlorinate at any time.

• Water Softener

Aside from convenience, using a water softener has a number of advantages. It positively impacts the family budget and improves family health care outcomes. Here are a few more benefits of water softeners:

1. Water softener softens the skin and hair in the same way that it softens the garments.
2. There will be no stains on the surfaces if you use a water softener.
3. Chemical and residue accumulation will be prevented, which will preserve appliances.

Conclusion

Well water can get contaminated and unfit for safe consumption for various reasons. We have considered most of these reasons in this article, and we hope that the discussion on identifying them and then finally taking measures to deal with them will help you improve the quality of your well water.