Water Testing

Tips Residential Water Testing & Scheduling Well Inspection

Have you been dealing with issues such as stinky water or possible contamination? If your home is hooked up to a well then it could very easily be that you have an issue that will require a well inspection and necessary water testing, possibly followed by water treatment.

There is a big difference between dealing with a home that is hooked up to city water and one that is hooked up to its own well. There are many pros and cons to being on city water and on well water, but the purpose of this post is to give a better understanding of how to tell when it’s necessary to have your well water tested and what a well inspection will entail. If you are on city water, your signs for needing a water testing appointment will be different than getting well water tested.

Residential water testing deals primarily with private homes and can focus on the well that provides your water service. There are a few key things to know about living in a home hooked up to well water, and what considerations you’ll have to take into account when dealing with inspections, treatments, and more. 

When Should You Schedule a Well Inspection?

This is a good question, but the answer is that those operating on well water should likely schedule a well inspection at least once a year to test for any contaminants in the well. There are few other reasons why you should check your well regularly, and you should keep an eye out for these in case you need to make an appointment for water testing before your annual schedule is due. 

Stinky, Smelly Well Water

Carbon tank for the remediation of cancer causing radon in water, a Water Softener for hard hard water and an Iron Breaker/Sulfur Breaker TankThe cause of smelly water can be hydrogen sulfide gas. This can give water that ‘rotten egg’ taste or odor and if this is detected then it needs to be remedied quickly. 

This is produced by what is termed as ‘sulfur bacteria’ that can be located in the groundwater, the well itself, or the plumbing system. Once this is determined to be the cause it’s necessary to take action to keep the bacteria from spreading any further.

Well Repairs for a Possible Water Leaks

Break in Well LineA leak that occurs in the plumbing of your home or due to any corrosion that might occur in the casing, liner, or screen of the pump that works to bring water from the well into your home can cause lower quality water to enter the well. By employing a water leak detector it’s possible to find out about a hole before it becomes a major issue.

Unexplained Illness in the Home Could Need a Well Inspection

brown water in glassIllnesses related to water issues are quite miserable and can vary in their intensity, but upon noticing any ill effects upon those within your household it’s wise to have your well checked to be on the safe side. For those living within urban areas who are still operating on a well water system, it’s also considered wise to determine if anything in the surrounding area might have affected the well and to ensure that everything is functioning as it should.

It is especially important to take note of any issues with your well water if you have young children, anyone with a serious medical condition, or a nursing mother in the home. Water-born contaminants can pose a serious health risk to many people, and it’s important to be aware of any issues that arise and to remedy the problem before it gets worse.

Residential Water Testing Will Be Necessary if Your Well is Contaminated

Normally residential water testing will only need to be performed on an annual basis in order to ascertain the status of your well and the quality of the water that is being pumped into your home. But if there are issues that arise following a well inspection then it will be necessary to first assess what’s wrong. After the issue has been found and analyzed it will need to be remedied, using whatever method is necessary and can return your well to its normal, functioning condition.

Well Water Testing

Water TestingAs it’s already been mentioned, you should schedule a well inspection at least once every spring to ensure that there are no mechanical problems. Water testing will ascertain whether there are harmful agents such as coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved liquids, and will check the pH levels as well.

If your water smells or tastes funny it could mean that it’s been contaminated, and could be harmful to your health. A water test will check for a wide range of contaminants and should be performed by state-certified laboratory technicians, which a reliable water company can provide. 

Well Water Treatments

Customers Water Treatment Storage ShedThere are several different water treatment options that can be used in the case of well water. However, there isn’t a single treatment that will guard against every problem. Those that purchase and install their own treatment apparatus do so to remove contaminants, to improve the taste of their drinking water, and to safeguard the health of those in the household.

The most common types of systems to find in a home are filtration systems, water softeners, and distillation systems, as each system is capable of guarding against various issues that might arise from contaminated well water.

Well Water Purification

Solution Feeder, Static Mixer and a Sediment FilterWater purification is needed to ensure the safety of all those in your home and to make certain that your well is running correctly for your safety. Various systems will treat and purify your well water and make certain that it’s safe for consumption and required use.

There are a great many products on the market and many filters to select from depending on where they are needed and what they’ll be used for. Do be selective when picking out your filters, as some are more efficient than others and several cheaper filters might offer a decent price, but at the expense of your safety.

Well Disinfection

an ultraviolet light, valve heads and a reverse osmosisDisinfection can be performed chemically or physically and involves the eradication of pathogenic microorganisms in order to purify your well water. The chemical process involves disinfectants such as chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and ozone. The physical process includes UV light, electronic radiation, and heat.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember to pay close attention to the quality of your water at all times, though with well water it’s best to understand any possible issues and complications that can arise, as well as how to fix them. A reputable water company can always be called upon to help assist you with any well water issues you may be encountering.