According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 43 million Americans drink well water. Generally, these private wells are safe for drinking, but they can easily become contaminated. That is why it’s crucial to regularly test them for contaminants like coliform bacteria or nitrates at least once a year.
Contaminated water in private wells happens due to a wide range of issues like storm runoff or leakage from nearby septic tanks. One of the best ways you can prevent this is by maintaining the well and immediately repairing any damage as it occurs. But there are several other considerations to be made in keeping your well water safe to drink
In this article:
- Understanding Well Water
- Factors Affecting Well Water Quality
- Testing Well Water for Safety
- Health Risks Associated With Contaminated Well Water
- Ensuring Well Water Safety
- Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Well Water
For homes with well water versus city water, the water system is connected to a well that has an aquifer for a water source. Although the porous rock of the aquifer filters out some contaminants, it’s important to have a filtration system to remove the rest. You could also have hard water problems like limescale since most private wells contain hard water.
Some may choose to utilize a well instead of public water systems to avoid a water bill or reduce their environmental footprint. Meanwhile, some homes are simply too far away from the public system to get hooked up. In either case, it’s important to keep up maintenance to protect yourself and your family from potential health hazards.
Factors Affecting Well Water Quality
Geographical and Environmental Considerations
Where you live greatly impacts the groundwater in the well. For instance, if you live in a place with nearby coal mining, you need to regularly test the well water for metal contaminants in addition to bacterial ones. That’s also true for homes near farms or areas with potential waste runoff.
Even something as simple as soil composition can affect well-water consumers. If local soil is sandy or silty, for example, rainwater will filter too quickly through the aquifer to adequately remove contaminants.
Potential Contaminants in Well Water
Per the EPA, common contaminants include microorganisms from fecal waste, nitrates or nitrites from fertilizers or waste, heavy metals, organic chemicals, radionuclides like radium, and fluoride. Many of these contaminants occur because of environmental runoff from things like agriculture or other homes in the area. But sometimes elements like arsenic or radon are introduced naturally without intervention from other people, animals, or industries.
Testing Well Water for Safety
Importance of Regular Testing
The recommended guideline from the CDC is to test well water at least once a year in the spring. They recommend testing at minimum for coliform bacteria, nitrates, dissolved solids, and PH levels. However, the CDC also recommends testing for other contaminants if there is reason to (e.g., if you live near a farm or other potentially contaminating businesses).
Types of Tests and What They Detect
- Contaminants: Local health and environmental agencies can perform tests, or residents can order tests themselves. These tests will indicate for coliforms, fecal coliforms/E. coli, pH, nitrates, and volatile organic compounds. Depending on where you live, they may also recommend testing for arsenic, atrazine, lead, mercury, radium, and other chemicals.
- Well Capacity: A well capacity test will demonstrate to you how much water the well still has access to. Because water tables can change depending on rainfall and other weather factors, it’s good to know how much water is available. Also known as a Well Flow Test, this is done by opening a spigot and measuring how much water comes out every 15 minutes for an hour (which should average three to five gallons per minute).
Health Risks Associated With Contaminated Well Water
Bacterial and Viral Infections
Coliform bacteria pose the greatest risk for viral and bacterial infections in contaminated well water. Consuming them can cause serious issues such as cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and even death in compromised groups.
Chemical Toxicity
Chemical-contaminated well water has the potential for catastrophic consequences. Heavy metals can cause toxicity of the liver, kidneys, and intestines, as well as anemia and cancer. Organic chemicals from activities like spills can also cause problems with circulatory systems, nervous systems, and reproductive systems.
Ensuring Well Water Safety
Well Construction and Maintenance
If you’re building a well, there are a few basic best practices to keep in mind before you begin. The placement of your well is paramount. It should be at least 10 feet from nearby sewers, 50 feet from septic tanks, or 75 feet from sewage seepage fields, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. It should also have at least a 15-foot radius anywhere that accumulates surface water.
As for maintenance, there are a few best practice considerations:
- Install backflow prevention devices
- Keep all potential contaminants like gas far away
- Seal off any abandoned wells on the property
- Visually inspect the well often
Filtration and Treatment Options
Avoiding many potential issues with well water can be done by installing filtration and/or water treatment systems. These will help keep contaminants at bay and reduce associated issues like hard water. The experts at Leaf Home are happy to walk you through any issues along the way. If you encounter foul odors, contaminants, or any other water-related issues, contact us right away for a free water test and consultation.
For anyone who has well water, testing it for safety is the first step to a safe, healthy, and hydrated home! When you’re ready to take that step or install filtration systems to extend your well’s safety, call Leaf Home.
Frequently asked questions
How do you know if your well water is safe to drink?
A test is the best way to know. Contaminant testing can indicate if there are bacterial or chemical toxins in the water. This gives homeowners a way forward to treat their water to make the well safe again.
Is well water safer than tap water?
It can be, but it depends. Tap water is connected to city water, which is regulated. This regulation leads to regular testing and treatment. Well water can be safer or just as safe so long as the well is maintained and regularly tested.
What are the common contaminants found in well water?
Some of the most common contaminants are coliform bacteria, nitrates or nitrites, heavy metals, organic chemicals, and radionuclides. Ingesting high levels of these can potentially lead to organ malfunction, cancer, sickness, and even death.
How often should well water be tested for safety?
You should test well water at least once a year, preferably in the spring after any snow has melted.
Is well water safe to drink without filtration?
Unfiltered well water can be safe to drink, but regular testing is needed to be sure. Filters remove potential contaminants, and without regular testing, it’s impossible to know if those contaminants are lurking or not.
