One of the most reliable sources of water for households is private wells. These sources of water must be free of bacteria and harmful chemicals that can compromise health. Suppose your well was dug privately; you must periodically ascertain its safety for use as well as prevent it from further contamination. In this article, you will learn the numerous ways to take care of your well water.
- Inspect the well casing once a year
When your well casing is bad, pollutants can flow into the well and contaminate the water. Be on the lookout for holes and cracks and ensure that casing is sturdy by applying the right amount of pressure. If it moves, you may need to reinforce strength to prevent pollutants from seeing in.
- Fuel Tank Testing
If you have fuel tanks around the home, test them at least once a year and fix any leaks to prevent fuel from polluting the well water.
- Install a Watertight Cap
To ensure your well is well ventilated but still free of dog pollutants, have a driller install a watertight cap with a centre screen over the casing’s opening. This will also help keep out insects and surface water.
- Prevent Backflow
This you can do by installing check valves on water faucets with hose connections to prevent backflow. This condition occurs when water and pollutants flow back from a home’s plumbing to the well. Your check valves will prevent polluted water in tubs, sinks, washing machines, fire hydrants and swimming pools.
- Test Water
If anyone in your home experiences gastrointestinal distress, and you suspect it might be related to the water, if you notice a change in the taste of the water or you live around a farm that uses pesticide, do test your water at a certified laboratory at least once in a year.
- Slope the ground away
This will enable surface water to drain away correctly. It will also help prevent surface water from contaminating your well water.
- Pumping Speed
Do not pump faster than the speed of light. Pump water at a moderate speed to help prevent depletion of groundwater supplies.
- Dig away from Septic Tanks
Ensure that your well is at least 50 feet away from your Septic tanks. Keep contaminants away from the well to prevent contamination by chemicals and bacteria in case of a spill, leak or runoff. Ensure it is 100 feet from fuel tanks, manure storage and fertilizer storage, and 250 feet from manure stacks. Also, don’t use insecticides, weed killers or fungicides within 100 feet of the well. Practice these safe steps, and your well water will be in perfect condition.
- Call an expert
As always, our golden advice is: when in doubt, don’t DIY. Seek the advice of a professional, well contractor on well-water treatment options such as filtration systems, distillation systems, water softeners and disinfection.
Hire a professional well driller and pump installer to properly close and fill old, unused wells to prevent them from contaminating your well water. Have your well sealed off and a new well drilled if the well reaches the end of its effective service.
Contact Pump House to schedule a call with one of our well water experts today!.
