Month: August 2022

Here’s a fun homemade after school sweet treat for the kiddos. Wink, wink, parents like it too! Who knew water and salt could make such a yummy recipe?

1 c. half-and-half

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 c. ice

1/3 c. kosher salt

Toppings of your choice

DIRECTIONS

In a small resealable plastic bag, combine half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Push out excess air and seal.

Into a large resealable plastic bag, combine ice and salt. Place the small bag inside the bigger bag and shake vigorously, for 7 to 10 minutes, until the ice cream has hardened.

Remove from the bag and enjoy with your favorite ice cream toppings.

For complete details and a video go to Delish.com.

My well is not that old, what is with all the rust?  

We have covered this topic before, but many around the nation are struggling with sudden iron concerns. It can be related to low water levels which can increase the concentration of the contaminant, geography, different types of casing material, or a mix of all mentioned. See our info sheet for more on Iron & Well Water.

Contact your licensed well contractor to discuss the location of well, materials used, and any options to improve your water quality. You should also have your water tested before purchasing any water treatment. Contact the wellcare® Hotline with any questions.

If you are in an area that tends to reach or has ever had freezing temperatures, you should make every effort to prevent your pipes, well, and well components from freezing. When pipes freeze, the flow of water is completely blocked. Since water expands as it turns into ice, the pipes are very likely to burst. It could also ruin your well pump and other exposed well components. This can be an expensive problem to fix and a disastrous occurrence in frigid winter months. If your well or pipes freeze, contact your licensed well contractor or plumber as soon as possible.

Your Well System

Help keep your well from freezing with a pitless adapter. A pitless adapter attaches to your well casing to provide a sanitary and frost-proof seal between the casing and the water line running to your home. This device protects the water from freezing and permits convenient access to the well and well components without having to dig around the well. The adapter is connected to the well casing below the frost line, which is the depth at which the ground does not freeze. Water from the well is diverted horizontally at the adapter to prevent it from freezing. Contact your licensed well contractor to discuss installing a pitless adapter. You should also protect your wellhead from getting damaged by snow and heavy equipment like snow blowers and plows. There are existing older wells that are in a driveway, close to the driveway, or close to a road. Consider adding a fiberglass driveway marker to help with locating the well. If your well gets covered by snow, you will easily find it and can carefully remove the snow around it.

Freezing temps on the way and no time to make adjustments?

If your wellhead is exposed to outside elements and freezing temperatures are on the way, wrap it with insulation, blankets, towels, or anything else you can find that will not cause damage to the wellhead but can help protect it from the cold.

To learn more about protecting your pipes, pump, tank, and our tips if your pipes or well system are already frozen, download our wellcare® information sheet on Protecting Your Pipes and Well System From Freezing.

Most vacation homes and cabins are considered seasonal homes. Some seasonal homes have private water wells that service the home. These types of homes are not designed to be used during the winter because of plumbing systems and structures that are not adequately insulated to withstand extreme cold. When preparing to close your vacation home for the season, leaving the home vacant and unheated, you must winterize the plumbing to protect it from bursting in freezing temperatures. This process includes going through the steps to winterize your water well.

WSC recommends that you contact a licensed plumber to winterize your home. If you must winterize on your own, follow these steps and instructions.

Pests such as weeds, insects, molds, and fungi can damage your lawn and garden. Pesticides can help treat certain types of pests but are not always the best or only solution. If pesticides are used, proper use and disposal are necessary to prevent harm to people, pets, and plants, and to protect the air, soil, and water from pollution.

Likewise, fertilizers can be beneficial to your lawn and garden. However, many fertilizers contain nitrogen, which can convert to harmful nitrate. Careful use of fertilizers can help reduce the chance that nitrate will leach into your groundwater.

Preventing Contamination in Your Well

Pesticides and fertilizers can reach aquifers through the soil by way of rain or snow recharge. Additionally, if pesticides or fertilizers are spilled or misused near a well, they can reach your well water. Some sources say spills within 25-50 feet of wells have a greater risk for contamination; others say pesticides and fertilizers should not be handled or stored within 100 feet of a well.

You can take steps to prevent the potential for pesticide contamination of your well. First, consider whether a pesticide is the best method for treating your pest problem. Alternatives such as baits and traps are safer than pesticides.

Non-chemical pest control methods include hand picking pests from leaves. Prevention techniques include keeping your grass height no shorter than 2.5 inches to discourage pests and shade weeds, and rotating plant position periodically to minimize the spread of disease. Keep in mind that some insects, such as praying mantises and ladybugs, are beneficial to plants, by helping to kill more harmful insects and organisms.

Continue reading our information sheet for additional measures you can take in and around your home.

Additionally, your state may also have laws related to the use and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers. Check with your state’s fertilizer and pesticide regulatory agencies or call the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378.