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Test before you treat, your system could be incomplete

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First and foremost, it is important to note that not all well water needs to be treated. Most well water comes from groundwater and is a safe, reliable drinking water source for you and your family. Before considering any type of water treatment, you should have your water tested by a certified water testing laboratory. If you need help locating a water testing laboratory or determining what to test your water for, contact the wellcare® Hotline at 888-395-1033, or read our Well Water Testing information sheet and use our interactive map.

If your water tests positive for a contaminant, the important question is whether the contaminant found poses a threat to your health at the level it was found. Many contaminants do not pose a threat to health, but can cause the water to change color, cause staining, have an odor, or have an unpleasant taste. Use our wellcare® information

sheet Understanding Your Well Water Test Results or contact the wellcare® Hotline to help with interpreting your results.

Selecting Water Treatment

As a private well owner, you are responsible for taking the right steps to keep your water clean. The more you know about the quality of your water and what treatment may be needed, the more likely you will be able to avoid unnecessary, costly, or inappropriate equipment. Only one water treatment – disinfection or shock chlorination – is managed easily at home. Most other treatments require the service of a certified water treatment professional. If you need water treatment, contact your licensed well contractor for recommendations for treating the problem or locate a water treatment professional in your area using the Water Quality Association’s website.

Well owners have four primary options for water treatment:

  • Disinfection or shock chlorination of the well
  • Point-of-Use (POU) – installed under the kitchen sink to filter contaminants from drinking and cooking water
  • Point-of-Entry (POE) – installed at the point where well water enters the home plumbing system
  • Multi-stage treatment – to filter multiple contaminants or improve water quality for all household uses

Before purchasing a water treatment device, ask if it has been approved by NSF International, a non-profit group that develops standards for equipment related to public health. NSF International certifies water treatment devices as effective in removing specific contaminants. You can search for certified water treatment devices on NSF’s website.

Download our Water Treatment information sheet to learn about the different types of treatment options available. Discuss treatments options with your water treatment professional.

Avoid a freeze, it’s a breeze!

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Concerned there may be another Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, or Snowzilla? Don’t worry, we’re here to help protect your pipes and well from freezing again!

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.

Read on to learn about protecting your pipes, pump, tank, and our tips if your pipes or well system are already frozen.

After the Fire: Water Well Safety

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Returning home after a wildfire can be overwhelming and dangerous. We gathered some safety tips for re-entering a burned area and how to care for your well.

Tips for re-entering an area that has been affected by wildfires:

  • Avoid damaged or fallen power lines.
  • Be careful of ash pits (depression filled with hot ashes) and burned trees. Serious burns or injuries can occur.
  • Wear protective gear before sifting through debris to avoid breathing in harmful dust or ash.
  • Hazardous household materials like automotive fluids, paint, solvents, etc. should be disposed of properly to protect people and the environment.
  • If you suspect electrical damage or gas leaks, do not try to use your electricity or anything with a flame. Instead, use a flashlight for your light source and report problems to your local utility. DO NOT stay in the home as there is a risk of electrical shock or explosion.
  • If sewage is visible, limit access to the area and contact your local health department for assistance.
  • Do not turn on the water if you notice damage to your wellhead or well components above ground. Contact a licensed well contractor to assess and repair damages.

After a wildfire, underground well components like the pump may not be harmed. However, if your home and yard have been burned, it is necessary to complete a visual inspection of your well system and have any damage repaired before turning on the water.

Check the following for damage:

  • Wellhead– casing, cap or seal, and any other above ground piping
  • Tank– pressure or storage tanks (cisterns)
  • Electrical– wires and control box
  • Treatment– filters/housing, tanks, chemicals

Contact a licensed well contractor immediately for repairs. Shock chlorination or disinfection should be performed after repairs are made. Your well contractor will determine if this is required. It is important to note that shock chlorination/disinfection will not remove metals, pesticides, or other types of non-biological contamination. Do not drink or cook with the water until a water test is performed and confirms no harmful contaminants are in your water.

Download our wellcare® information sheet on Wildfires & Wells from our website to continue reading about water testing and caring for your water treatment and septic systems after a wildfire.

Water you giving to the next generation?

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When someone says drought, do you think about the water coming out of your taps, groundwater, or your well water? Don’t take water for granted! Just because it is there now, doesn’t mean it will be there in the future.

Drought is a period of drier than normal conditions (low or no rain or snow!) that result in water-related problems. Drought can last for months or years or may be declared after as few as 15 days. Many areas face serious regional water shortages because water is being used faster than it can be replenished naturally. Water conservation can help well owners secure their drinking water supply, save money, and protect the environment. Don’t wait until a prolonged drought creates a water emergency. Consider measures today to preserve your water supply.

Download our information sheets on Drought and Your Well and Water Conservation to learn about steps you can take. For more tips search #conservewater #savewater and #waterconservation on our social media pages.

Hotline HOT Topic: What products can I use with a water well system?

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Before you do your summer chores, you should read more…

As the weather gets warmer in most of the country, you will be spending more time outdoors. Our wellcare® Hotline has received several calls on what products are okay to use near or with a water well system.

The easiest answer is, do not use chemicals. Pesticides and fertilizers can reach aquifers through the soil by way of rain or snow recharge. Not using chemicals may not always be realistic, but we have put together some tips to help lower the risk of contamination to your drinking water:

Outdoors

The concern – Proper storage and disposal of products and using chemicals near your well.

  • Storing/disposing of chemicals– If you have open containers, store them as far away from your well as possible (at least 100ft.), in their original container with labels intact, and tightly closed. Clean up any spills immediately. Bring unwanted pesticides to your local household hazardous waste collection program. Try using earth911.com to find locations near you where you can recycle.
  • Car washing– Choose non-toxic, biodegradable soap that is free of phosphates, fragrance, chlorine, and petroleum-based ingredients. Avoid using acid-based wheel cleaners. Wash and rinse your car away from your well.
  • Lawn care– Fertilizers can be beneficial to your lawn and garden. However, many fertilizers contain nitrogen, which can convert to harmful nitrate. There are several alternatives to chemical fertilizers available at most garden centers that use natural materials to enrich soil.
  • Pest control– Pesticides can contaminate water resources, so it is best to use natural products like citrus peels, cucumbers, vinegar, traps, essential oils, or plant herbs like peppermint. The list of remedies seems endless!
  • Weeds– It may be easier to use weed killer, but it isn’t the safest option. Instead, try pulling the weeds, spot treat with salt, lemon juice (just don’t accidentally spray your flowers or lawn), vinegar, or boiling water.

Indoors

The concern – Anything that goes down the drain if you have a septic system. We recommend not using bleach products as this can kill the good bacteria in your septic. In turn, if the septic doesn’t work properly in can contaminate groundwater – your well water! You will also want to be careful with cleaning products that contain bleach as well.

For more tips on what not to put down the drain, read our information sheet on Your Septic System.

Summer Well Concerns

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Emergencies & Disasters

The official Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1st and ends November 30th. In the eastern North Pacific, the official season started May 15th and ends November 30th. Tornadoes, flooding, severe thunderstorms, and wildfires can also occur throughout the summer. We want to make sure you are ready for anything mother nature sends your way.

Our Emergencies page on our website has everything you need before and after storms hit. View our wellcare® information sheets including our Emergencies & Disasters and Wells, videos, and use the interactive map to access agencies and well professionals within your state or province that can help.

The wellcare® Hotline can also help! Our water well experts are available to answer your questions and provide you with any information you need to maintain a safe water well supply. Contact us by calling 888-395-1033, send us an email, or chat with us live. The Hotline is available Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. ET.

Managing a Flooded Well

If you live in an area that experiences floods, your water well may be in danger of contamination from pollutants carried by flood water or at risk of shock from water-logged well equipment.

Here are some immediate steps you should follow after a flood:

  • Do not drink or wash with your well water. You could get sick from contaminants washed into the well by the flood.
  • Do not turn on the well pump. There is a danger of electrical shock and damage to your well or pump if they were flooded.
  • Contact your water well contractor for help in dealing with the impacts of the flood on your water quality and well system.

Read more about Managing a Flooded Well.

You should suspect water contamination any time your well casing becomes flooded. For instance, if your well is shallow and you are near areas that have been flooded, if you notice a change in taste or color of your water, or there is sediment in your water. Testing your water is the only way to ensure your water is safe. Learn more about water testing.

Hotline HOT Topic: I am from the city and I just moved to a house with a well. I have no idea about wells. Can you help?

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You’re in luck! We have a dedicated hotline to answer all your questions on wells and well water. You can reach the hotline by phone at 888-395-1033, by filling out our online form, or through our live chat feature. We also have information sheets and a Well Owner’s Manual that can help you understand how to take care of your well system.

Here are a few tips to get you started on managing your water well:

• We recommend reading our information sheet on Wells. This information sheet provides general information about wells.
• Well owners are responsible for taking care of their water well system. So it is important to test your water annually and visually inspect the exposed parts of your well system to make sure they are in good condition.
• Have your well inspected by a licensed well contractor immediately if you do not have any record of the last inspection or at least every 5 years.
• Continue reading our Well Maintenance information sheet.

Get to Know Your Water Well System!

Click the image above to see our interactive well diagram.

Additional information on water wells and well water can be found in our popular Well Owner’s Manual.

Common Water Quality Concerns

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Bust out the rust! 

Iron is a chemical element that is classified as a metal. It is also an essential mineral found in our bodies. Iron is common in the Earth’s crust. As water moves through soil layers it dissolves iron causing it to seep into groundwater. Iron pipes also may be a source of iron in water. Levels of iron found in drinking water are considered harmless but can be a nuisance. Even the smallest amount of iron can stain your laundry and fixtures and give your water a bitter or metallic taste.

Iron can be in soluble or oxidized form. Water with soluble iron looks clear when it comes out of the faucet but has red rust in it when left standing. Oxidized iron looks red from the tap. Iron is considered a secondary water contaminant. Continue reading about Iron & Well Water.

 

The not so innocent one…

Manganese is an abundant metal on Earth. It can be found in air, consumer products, food, and water. Manganese makes its way into groundwater and surface water from natural sources or from activities like mining and industrial discharges. Manganese is used in many industries, with the majority of manganese used as an alloying element in steel.

In water, manganese can look yellow, brown, or black and is often found together with iron and a low pH. Manganese can cause water to taste unpleasant and stain fixtures and water appliances throughout your home. Manganese is essential for human health. However, studies show too much manganese may cause neurological effects in children. Read more about testing and treating Manganese.

Has it been a while? Don’t neglect your septic, protect it!

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Don’t forget to take care of your septic system! A poorly maintained septic system poses a serious threat to the quality of your drinking water. The cost of pumping a septic tank is far less than the expense of replacing a drainfield clogged by solids.

We recommend the following preventive measures:

• Inspect the septic tank each year for capacity and leaks.
• Pump out the tank as needed, usually every three to five years, based on the number of people in the household and the size of the tank.
• Repair the tank or drainfield system as needed to prevent leaks into
groundwater.

Read more about your septic system and contact your septic service professional for additional recommendations and service. To locate septic service professionals in your area, try these websites NOWRA and NAWT.