Everything You Need To Know About Well Water

Jason Hunt

Aside from the electricity needed to operate the pump, well water does not cost homeowners anything. Well water is not fluoridated or chlorinated; and you no longer have a monthly water bill to deal with. Before deciding whether or not to invest in water well drilling for your home, it would be wise to learn more about water wells.

Nutrition Value of Well Water

According to the US Department of Agriculture, one cup of well water is 100 percent calorie-free and contains 2 milligrams of magnesium, 7 milligrams of calcium, and 12 milligrams of sodium. The average municipal tap water has the same magnesium and calcium levels; however, it has less sodium with an average of 7 milligrams per cup instead of 12. For anyone concerned with their sodium intake, this makes well water a slightly better choice.

Contaminant Concerns

According to reports by the Maine Water Testing Labs, it is possible for bacteria that causes disease to seep into well water if the casing of the well is damaged or if the well is shallow. It is also possible for radon and arsenic in rocks or old pipes near the well to contaminate the water as well. The risk and chance of contamination should not scare you from giving well water a try because testing the well water for contamination with an at-home testing kit is all you need to put any concerns to rest.

Requires Electricity

Some may consider the requirement of electricity to operate a water well to be a downside. This is because a power outage would cut off your access to your water supply. Fortunately, filling a few containers of water or having a few cases of water bottles stored in your home will prevent temporarily losing access to your well water from being a problem.

Testing the Water Quality

After the well has been drilled, disinfected, and flushed, it is important to test the quality of the well water. Testing the well water annually is a great idea, as the quality can alter overtime. Fortunately, most local health departments will provide homeowners with an affordable testing service for their drinking water. Most of these tests will examine the water for traces of various bacteria, nitrates, and pH. If there are certain heavy metals or other substances that are just a problem in the area you live, the test may also examine for substances problematic to the specific area.

Research Local Well Water Regulations

Before deciding whether or not to have a well drilled, you should be aware of local rules and regulations. Regulations and policies regarding private water wells do vary from one location to the next. Your local health department or local water experts would be able to give you this information. In some states, such as New Jersey, it is a requirement for a seller to perform a test on well water and show the results to the buyer before selling the home. In other states, like Colorado, you are required to have a permit to be the owner of a private well.

For more information, contact Field Drilling Contractors Ltd or a similar company.


Share

2023©