Having a private well gives you peace of mind that you can be self-sufficient. However, it's important to understand how to keep your water safe and to check it for contamination. You don't want to drink water contaminated with bacteria or heavy metals. Your family could get sick right away or they may develop health problems years later from the contamination. Water testing is the answer to having a safe supply of drinking water. Here are some guidelines for testing your well water.
Test For Water Hardness
Hard water may not be harmful to drink, but it can be damaging to your home and plumbing. This in turn can add rust or particulates to your water. If your water has an unusual odor or taste, the minerals in the water could be to blame. When the water is high in minerals, it can leave deposits on your dishes and clothing when you do laundry. You may even have scale buildup in your toilet and appliances that use water. Hard water can be treated by having a water softener installed.
Annual Test For Microbes
If there are no industrial or commercial operations near you and the water has tested clean previously, then your main concern may be with keeping the water sanitary. You can do this by having a water test done annually to check for microbe levels. You may even want this test done more often if your family keeps getting intestinal bugs and you suspect the water might be to blame.
This test checks for the amount of coliform bacteria found in the water and if the levels are high, you may need to hire a contractor to disinfect your well. Bacteria may begin to thrive in your well if the well is damaged or after a flood. It's a good practice to have your well disinfected if it is flooded since floodwater is often contaminated with a variety of microbes and particulates.
Test For Local Contaminants
When you understand the contaminants in your local area, you'll know what things to look for in your water. However, as a general rule, you'll want to have the water tested for a wide range of contaminants when it is first put in and any time there is a change in the environment, or if you just want peace of mind. For instance, if there are commercial farming facilities nearby, you may be concerned about pesticides or bacteria seeping into the groundwater.
A nearby factory might contaminate the local water supply with volatile organic compounds. A mining operation might cause your water to be high in certain metals. If you find the water is contaminated, you may need to use bottled water or install a filter while you work out a solution with a contractor to move or clean your well.
Your annual test for the condition of your well water should include testing for common contaminants such as coliform bacteria and nitrates. You may also want to test for the total dissolved solids in the water along with the pH and mineral content. Also, check for potential harmful water pollutants released by the type of farm or manufacturing plant near you. Besides having annual tests done, you may want to have additional tests if your water suddenly smells, looks, or tastes different.
For more information, reach out to a water testing company like Green Living Water Solutions.