| The U.S. Government and the Environmental | | | | You should test your well water every year, |
| Protection Agency has a lot of safeguards and | | | | whenever you do maintenance on your well, after |
| restrictions for companies providing public water. But, | | | | flooding, or if you see any change in the look, taste |
| if your water source is your own well, those | | | | or smell of your water. Take your water to a local |
| safeguards do not apply. There are laws in place that | | | | expert like the health department or water |
| require your well to be built safely, but in the end, | | | | treatment company. Be sure to ask in advance about |
| you are responsible for the upkeep and safety of | | | | the proper procedure to collect your sample; a good |
| your private water source. | | | | sample is the first step to making sure your family is |
| Wells are fed through the aquifer, or the water that | | | | safe. |
| is between the spaces made by soil and rock. Known | | | | If you find that you have contaminants in your well, |
| as "ground water;" this water consists mainly of rain | | | | you will want to contact a water treatment company |
| and melted snow that is absorbed through the soil, | | | | to determine the best way to correct the problem. |
| replenishing the aquifer. While this may seem to be | | | | You may be able to simply remove the cause from |
| the most wholesome water to drink, there are a | | | | the area - like relocating farm animals - or repair any |
| number of possible contaminants that are both | | | | damage to your well or septic system. Many find |
| natural and man-made. Many well owners believe that | | | | they need a water treatment system. The most |
| once they have their well constructed to code | | | | common treatment systems are filtration systems, |
| there's nothing more to do. On the contrary, it is | | | | water softeners, distillation systems, and disinfection. |
| necessary to keep a close eye on your well to make | | | | Each system performs a different task, so it is |
| sure that it not only functions properly, but that the | | | | important to ask an expert which one is best for |
| water you are consuming is good for your family. | | | | you. Filtration systems remove impurities with a |
| Natural contaminants can include magnesium, | | | | physical, chemical or biological barrier. Water softeners |
| chlorides, arsenic, and radon. While these are not | | | | reduce the hardness of water with sodium or |
| necessarily harmful in small amounts, too much can | | | | potassium ions. Distillation systems remove |
| lead to serious health problems, especially in small | | | | contaminants by boiling the water then condensing |
| children and the elderly. Some of the man-made | | | | the steam, leaving the waste behind. Disinfection |
| contaminants are caused by a damaged or improperly | | | | involves using physical or chemical means to kill |
| located septic system, close proximity to a large | | | | dangerous microorganisms. Water treatment systems |
| amount of animal waste, nearby construction or | | | | are either installed right at the water meter, or at a |
| mining, or the use of large amounts of fertilizers close | | | | tap. Even if you do not have anything harmful in your |
| to the well. This can lead to the introduction of toxic | | | | well, you may want to have your water treated to |
| chemicals, bacteria, nitrates, radionuclides, | | | | remove elements that can stain your laundry or just |
| microorganisms and metals that can be a threat to | | | | make your water taste better. |
| the health of those who drink or use the water. The | | | | Well water can be a wonderful source for your |
| smells of rotten eggs, green or brown stains, a | | | | family. We must all have water to survive and fresh, |
| soapy, metallic or salty taste are all indicators that | | | | pure water from your own well can be not only |
| something may be wrong with your well water. | | | | tasty, but economical. Proper construction and |
| Unfortunately, many contaminants are not easily | | | | maintenance of your well will assure you years of |
| identifiable, and require regular testing to detect. | | | | happy, healthy use. |