Many households use their own wells. It is the responsibility of the owner to test the quality of the water. Well water testing needs to be done on a regular basis to make sure it is safe.
When constructing a well, certain factors need to be taken into consideration. It should not be placed close to anything which could cause contamination. Closeness to manure piles or septic tanks should obviously be avoided. Sloping the area to avoid contaminated rainwater from running into it is also important.
Proper maintenance is important too, for example checking pipes for leakage. Damaged pipes can cause lead contamination. Surface seals and well caps need to be checked. Records should be kept of all repairs done.
Many contaminants such as bacteria and viruses cannot be seen with the naked eye. Tests have to be conducted to determine whether they are present. If harmful bacteria are present, they can cause many serious illnesses such as dysentery. A high level of nitrates is often found which can cause illness, particularly in small babies. Exposure over a long period to chemicals or heavy metals can cause increased risk of various cancers and other diseases.
There are also problems which are not so serious for health reasons but cause much inconvenience. If the water is too hard, deposits can build up on appliances. Red staining may occur which means the iron level is too high. Brown stains would indicate a high level of manganese. A high or low PH level could cause damage to pipes. You may also experience a bad smell of rotten eggs, or a very salty taste which is unpleasant.
There are many tests and some are more important than others. A general microbial test should be done annually as well as a test for nitrates. The ones you choose to do will depend on where you live and the specific threats in that area. For instance, if you live in an agricultural area, there is more risk of contamination from pesticides and fertilizers. If your whole family is suffering from gastrointestinal illness, you would consider testing for e-coli. If you suspect chemical contamination from a nearby factory, you would do tests for those specific chemicals.
There are many test options available. You may decide to approach the county health department. A certified private laboratory would be another option. There are also do-it-yourself kits for well water testing on the market. When making your decision, it is important not to sacrifice accuracy for the sake of cost. The health of your family is at stake.
When constructing a well, certain factors need to be taken into consideration. It should not be placed close to anything which could cause contamination. Closeness to manure piles or septic tanks should obviously be avoided. Sloping the area to avoid contaminated rainwater from running into it is also important.
Proper maintenance is important too, for example checking pipes for leakage. Damaged pipes can cause lead contamination. Surface seals and well caps need to be checked. Records should be kept of all repairs done.
Many contaminants such as bacteria and viruses cannot be seen with the naked eye. Tests have to be conducted to determine whether they are present. If harmful bacteria are present, they can cause many serious illnesses such as dysentery. A high level of nitrates is often found which can cause illness, particularly in small babies. Exposure over a long period to chemicals or heavy metals can cause increased risk of various cancers and other diseases.
There are also problems which are not so serious for health reasons but cause much inconvenience. If the water is too hard, deposits can build up on appliances. Red staining may occur which means the iron level is too high. Brown stains would indicate a high level of manganese. A high or low PH level could cause damage to pipes. You may also experience a bad smell of rotten eggs, or a very salty taste which is unpleasant.
There are many tests and some are more important than others. A general microbial test should be done annually as well as a test for nitrates. The ones you choose to do will depend on where you live and the specific threats in that area. For instance, if you live in an agricultural area, there is more risk of contamination from pesticides and fertilizers. If your whole family is suffering from gastrointestinal illness, you would consider testing for e-coli. If you suspect chemical contamination from a nearby factory, you would do tests for those specific chemicals.
There are many test options available. You may decide to approach the county health department. A certified private laboratory would be another option. There are also do-it-yourself kits for well water testing on the market. When making your decision, it is important not to sacrifice accuracy for the sake of cost. The health of your family is at stake.
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Certain factors need to be taken into consideration, when constructing a well like well should not be placed close to anything which may cause contamination.
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