When you purchase a home, you probably consider a number of factors, from the price to the school district, local amenities to property taxes. But there’s one thing you may not spend a lot of time thinking about: The water. It’s easy to understand — after all, most homes in the U.S. are supplied with drinking water from a municipal source that’s regulated by local and federal government standards.
But if your new home is one of the 15 percent that gets water from a private well, you might have some questions. If you’re not quite sure how well water works, you’re definitely not alone. With a well comes a few safety and aesthetic issues that homeowners should remain aware of.
Here’s what you need to know about your well water.
Well Water: Keeping it Safe
What makes well water different from water that comes from a municipal source? The main difference between drinking water from a private well and water from a public source is that municipal water is regularly tested and maintained by a government agency, usually the local health department, to ensure that it’s safe to drink.
In contrast, the only way to know if well water is free from contaminants is to test it regularly. This may involve sending samples to a lab or hiring a service to check for particles, bacteria, nitrates or other contaminants. The National Ground Water Association recommends that well owners test at least once per year. However, certain conditions may warrant more frequent testing, such as:
- A broken or malfunctioning septic system
- A well that’s been contaminated in the past
- Gastrointestinal complaints amongst household residents or guests
- Flooding in the area
- An infant living in the household
- A change in the taste, smell or look of the well water
- A potentially contaminating source moves into the area, such as an agricultural operation
Common contaminants may include coliform, a naturally occurring bacteria that is found in soil and vegetation. However, coliform may also indicate that a well has been contaminated by human or animal waste, so further tests may be warranted.
If your well is located near an agricultural operation, nitrate may be an issue. This inorganic compound is often a byproduct of fertilizers, pesticides or animal waste. At high levels, nitrate may cause health problems, especially in very young children. You may also test for contaminants such as radon, arsenic, sulfides and manganese, as well as pH level and water hardness.
While some of these issues may cause your water to taste, look or smell different, many contaminants aren’t easily identified outside of a laboratory. It’s essential to test your well water regularly to ensure that it’s safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in.
Improving the Taste, Feel and Smell of Well Water
Just as water may smell, taste and look normal but be unsafe to drink, some well water may be safe but have an odd odor, color or flavor. Fortunately, you can make your well water more pleasant to live with.
Rotten egg smell: If your water has a “rotten egg” smell, it may contain hydrogen sulfide gas. While this isn’t a health issue, it’s not exactly a fragrance you want lingering in your home. This naturally occurring compound can also be tough on your laundry and tarnish metals. Luckily, filters can often take care of this pesky problem.
Hard water: If you find that your laundry looks dingy, you’re having a hard time rinsing the shampoo out of your hair (and the soap scum off the wall) in the shower, and your dishwasher just isn’t getting your glasses and silverware sparkling clean, you may have hard water.
When water passes through the ground on its way to your well, it absorbs minerals such as calcium and magnesium. While hard water isn’t harmful to human health — in fact, 85% of the water in the U.S. is hard — it tends to make it difficult to clean household items, like clothes and dishes, as well as leaving a lot of residue on faucets, sinks and bathtubs. Softening the water by removing the calcium and magnesium increases appliance efficiency and makes it easier to keep your home, your clothes, your dishes and your hair, clean.
If you have questions about your well water, or need testing, filters, or softening, contact us!
