Advantages vs. Disadvantages of Having a Private Well
One advantage is that you have more control over the quality of your water.
You can have your water tested regularly to make sure that it is safe to drink.
Another advantage is that you do not have to rely on the public water supply.
If there is a problem with the public water supply, you will still have access to safe drinking water.
However, there are some dangers associated with using a private well…
One of the biggest dangers is contamination!
There are many ways that your well can become contaminated.
One way is if there is flooding in your area.
Floodwaters can carry all sorts of contaminants into your well, including bacteria, viruses, and chemicals.
Another way is if there is a leak in your septic system.
If your septic system is not working properly, sewage can contaminate your well water.
You can also be at risk for contamination if you have an old or poorly maintained well.
If your well is not properly sealed, surface water can seep in and contaminate your water.
These are just a few of the challenges you face to protect your private well!
Next, let’s take a look at the most common well water contaminants:
Common Well Water Contaminants
Many different types of harmful water contaminants can sneak into your private well.
Some of the most common ones include:
Bacteria are microorganisms that can cause disease.
There are many different types of bacteria, and some of them can be found in contaminated water:
E. coli: E. coli is a bacteria that can be found in the intestines of animals and humans.
It can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and cramping.
One way that a well can get contaminated with E. coli is if there is a leak in your septic system.
If your septic system is not working properly, sewage can contaminate your well water.
Shigella: Shigella is a bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and dehydration.
It can come from several different sources, including:
- Contaminated food or water
- Contact with an infected person
- Inadequate hand washing
Salmonella: Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause an intestinal infection.
Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, cramping, and fever.
In severe cases, Salmonella can lead to dehydration.
Viruses are microorganisms that can cause disease.
There are many different types of viruses, and some of them are common in contaminated water, including..
Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting and even liver damage. It spreads through contact with contaminated food or water.
This can happen if someone with the virus does not wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom.
Poliovirus: Poliovirus is a virus that can cause paralysis. It spreads through contact with contaminated food or water.
Norovirus: Norovirus is a virus that can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. It is highly contagious.
Rotavirus: Rotavirus is a virus that can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
If you have Rotavirus, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
You can also take over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms.
However, if you’re experiencing severe diarrhea or vomiting, you should seek medical attention.
Chemicals can come from many different sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and septic systems.
Pesticides and Herbicides: Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill insects and other pests.
Herbicides are chemicals that are used to kill plants. They can enter your water supply through runoff from fields or gardens.
Nitrates: Nitrates are chemicals in fertilizers and septic systems. They can be harmful if you drink them, especially for infants and pregnant women. Nitrates can cause some different health problems, including stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Arsenic: Arsenic is a chemical that can cause cancer. Arsenic can enter your water supply through industrial waste or agricultural runoff too.
Lead: Lead is a metal that can cause learning disabilities and behavior problems. It can enter your water supply through old pipes or fixtures.
Mercury: Mercury is a metal that can damage the brain and nervous system. It can enter your water supply through industrial waste.
How to Protect Your Private Well from Contaminants
Your private well is your responsibility!
The government doesn’t regulate it, so no one is coming to save you.
This means that you are responsible for ensuring that the water from your well is safe to drink.
While most wells are safe, there are some things that you can do to help protect your well from contamination.
1. Test Your Water Regularly
Hire a professional to test your water at least once a year.
You may also want to have your water tested more often if you have a new well, if there are changes in the taste, odor, or color of your water, or if you suspect that your well may be contaminated.
2. Keep Your Well Clean and Maintained
Be sure to keep the area around your well clean and free of debris.
Repair any cracks or leaks in your well casing or cap.
Store any chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides far away from your well.
3. Disinfect Your Well Water
If your well water is contaminated with bacteria and viruses, you're going to need to disinfect it.
You can do this by boiling your water for at least 1 minute, or by using a chlorine bleach solution (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water).
If you are concerned about contamination, you may want to install a water filter.
Be sure to choose a filter that is certified to remove the contaminants that you are concerned about.
By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your well water safe and clean.
Using Water Filters to Protect Your Private Well
Water filters can be an effective way to remove contaminants from your water, but it is important to choose the right filter for your needs.
Lots of water filters are on the market, but not all of them are great for private wells.
Some filters are better at removing certain contaminants better than others.
The most common types of water filters include:
- Granulated activated carbon filters are good at removing organic contaminants like pesticides and herbicides.
- Deionization filters are better at removing dissolved minerals and metals such as mercury and copper.
- Ultrafiltration filters are effective at removing bacteria and viruses.
- Reverse osmosis filters are great at removing up to 99.9% of harmful pollutants, including difficult-to-remove inorganic contaminants like lead and arsenic.
When choosing a water filter, it is important to consider the types of contaminants that you want to remove from your water.
The NSF certification ensures that the filter meets certain standards for the removal of contaminants.
If you have any questions about water filters, or if you are unsure which filter is right for you, please contact your local health department or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What Is Reverse Osmosis and How Does it Work?
Reverse osmosis is one of the best methods for filtering water because it can remove a wide range of contaminants and is also relatively easy to install and maintain.
Reverse osmosis filters work by forcing water through a very fine membrane.
The pores in the membrane are small enough to remove most contaminants, including dissolved minerals, bacteria and viruses.
RO filters are popular in commercial settings, like restaurants and office buildings, but they are also great for private well owners!
The only downside of reverse osmosis is that it can remove some beneficial minerals from your water.
If you are concerned about losing these minerals, you can look for a reverse osmosis filter that has a re-mineralization stage.
This will add back some of the lost minerals.
If you are looking for a water filter for your private well, reverse osmosis is a great option to consider!
Cloud Water reverse osmosis filtration systems remove up to 99.9% of harmful toxins, including bacteria, viruses, and chemicals.
The final re-mineralization stage adds calcium, magnesium, potassium, and other trace elements which naturally raise pH.
By the time it's all said and done, you have perfectly alkaline water.
There's even built-in software allowing you to track and monitor your water quality around the clock.
