Contaminants such as industrial waste, chemicals, and heavy metals can pollute private well water. These contaminants can affect water taste, color, and smell, causing a whole host of health problems.
Regular well water testing is an important part of using and maintaining private well water quality. In addition to revealing water quality issues, a water quality test can help you determine the effectiveness of your water purification system and find out if it is working properly.
How Often Should Well Water Be Tested?
Water purification companies in Sonoma County recommend testing private wells annually. If you have a shallow well, have your well water tested more frequently –preferably every season, as shallow wells are more susceptible to contamination.
Why Test Well Water Quality?
Many homeowners consider well water testing an unnecessary expense. They do not have their well water tested until it smells or tastes weird. This could prove to be a dangerous mistake.
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their private wells. If your private well pollutes nearby water bodies, you can find yourself in legal trouble. Sometimes the signs of well water contamination are very subtle. Many pollutants do not have any obvious smell, taste, or color. Only laboratory tests can reveal their presence.
You might think your water is fine, but in reality, it may contain harmful germs and other contaminants. When you do not test your well water regularly, you have no way of knowing whether it is fit for human consumption.
Many older plumbing components are made from lead and copper. Metals from your pipes and fixtures can dissolve or wear away and enter your water supply. Exposure to heavy metals such as lead, and copper can cause several health problems. Regular water quality tests can help monitor the levels of heavy metals in well water.
Regular water testing does not just reveal issues with your water but helps you get to the root cause of problems, so you can come up with sustainable solutions.
Studies show that water from around 50% of private water systems doesn’t meet at least one drinking water quality standard. The water from your well failing to meet any quality standard is cause for concern. Harmful germs such as bacteria and viruses can be lurking in your water. Regular testing can help identify early signs of contamination, allowing you to take corrective measures before it’s too late.
Most importantly, regular well water testing gives you peace of mind. It is a surefire way to know whether your water is fit for human consumption and can help you determine what steps you need to take to maintain its quality. If your water contains contaminants, an expert can help you determine the steps you need to take to restore water quality.
Signs That Well Water is Contaminated
As a trusted Sonoma County water purification company, the pros at Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. know the signs of contaminated water. Although, some signs may be undetectable by the human senses, here are some common signs of well water contamination:
➢ Unclear and Opaque Water: Your water should be clear and transparent when it comes out from your faucet. Unclear, opaque, or murky water can indicate contamination. Before you get your water tested, have a plumber inspect your plumbing system to make sure that plumbing components are intact
➢ Scale or Scum: Scale is a result of hardened calcium and mineral deposits that have dried up and adhered to plumbing fixtures such as pipes, faucets, and showerheads. Too much calcium and magnesium in drinking water can cause digestive problems
➢ Salty Taste: A salty taste could mean high sodium or chloride levels in your water. This is a cause for concern, especially if someone in your home is on a low-sodium diet. Sodium in your water can also corrode and damage your plumbing components
➢ Rotten Egg Smell: A rotten egg smell coming from your drinking water indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas or sulfur bacteria
➢ Metallic Taste: A metallic taste can be caused by iron, zinc, or manganese. Alternatively, it could mean that the pH of your water is lower than acceptable levels
➢ Chemical Taste: If your water tastes like chemicals, there is a possibility that fertilizers, pesticides, or chemical waste from nearby factories have gotten into your water supply. This is a serious problem that needs immediate attention
➢ Brown or Red Stains on Your Clothes, Dishwasher, or Sinks: Red and brown stains regularly appearing on clothes, dishwashers or sinks is a common sign of high iron levels in your water
Some Important Water Quality Tests Every Homeowner with a Private Well Should Get Done Periodically
➢ Basic Water Potability: Homeowners should include tests for sulfates, coliform bacteria, iron, manganese, fluoride, sodium, and chlorides
➢ Total Dissolved Solids: This test is performed to determine the levels of inorganic substances dissolved in the water
➢ Bacteria Tests: These tests can tell if your water contains E. coli bacteria, Salmonella Typhi, or any other disease-causing bacteria
➢ Additional Testing: If your private well is close to a factory, you will want to get your water tested for chemical contaminants
Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. is a reputable water purification company in Sonoma County. Our experts are trained to perform a range of water quality tests designed to detect the presence of different types of contaminants. To learn more about having your private well tested, call (707)823-3184.