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Explore how water moves using fall leaves and color! This creative activity helps kids observe how water travels through materials, and it doubles as a fall-themed art project. Plus, it uses natural elements like fallen leaves and teaches about absorption and color mixing.

What You’ll Need:

• White coffee filters or paper towels
• Fall leaves (fresh, not too dry)
• Water
• Food coloring or washable markers
• Paintbrushes or droppers
• Small cups or bowls
• A tray or workspace that can get a little messy

Instructions:
1. Place a coffee filter or paper towel on your tray.
2. Arrange a few fall leaves on the paper.
3. Mix water with a few drops of food coloring in small cups (or draw designs on the paper with markers).
4. Using a dropper or paintbrush, gently drip the colored water over the leaves and paper.
5. Watch how the colors spread, soak through, and mix. You’ll see fun patterns form as the water moves around the leaves.
6. Let your painting dry, then hang it in a window to enjoy your autumn art!

Did You Know?
Water moves through materials using capillary action—that’s how trees and leaves “drink” water from the ground! This activity shows how water travels and mixes, just like in nature.

As temperatures begin to drop, it’s important to take steps now to protect your water well system and home plumbing from freezing. This is especially important for seasonal homes, such as vacation cabins or second homes, which are often left vacant and unheated during the winter months. These structures typically lack the insulation needed to withstand prolonged cold weather, leaving plumbing systems and well components vulnerable to freezing and bursting.

If you are closing a seasonal home for the winter, you’ll need to fully winterize the plumbing, including your water well, to prevent costly damage. We strongly recommend hiring a licensed plumber or well contractor to handle this process. However, if you plan to winterize your home yourself, be sure to follow best practices to avoid frozen or burst pipes and damaged equipment.

Why Winterizing Matters

Even year-round homes are at risk if they are located in areas that experience below-freezing temperatures. Frozen pipes can block water flow, burst under pressure, and even damage your well pump or pressure tank. Repairs can be expensive, and a frozen water system can leave your home without water during some of the coldest days of the year. If your system does freeze, contact a licensed contractor as soon as possible.

Key Tips to Prevent Freezing

• Winterize seasonal homes thoroughly before temperatures drop. Drain all pipes, shut off water at the main valve, and take steps to protect your well system.
• Install a pitless adapter. This device connects your water line to the well casing below the frost line, providing a frost-proof, sanitary seal and protecting your water supply from freezing. Talk to a licensed well contractor about this option.
• Insulate your wellhead: If you’re caught off guard by a sudden cold snap, you can temporarily protect your wellhead by using blankets, towels, or other insulating materials. Avoid anything that may trap moisture or cause damage.
• Mark your well if it is located near a driveway, path, or road. Heavy snow and snowplow equipment can damage exposed wellheads. A simple driveway marker can help locate and protect your well during snow removal.

Get More Help

Find a licensed well contractor in your area using our interactive map. For more information, download our wellcare® information sheets:

Protecting Your Pipes and Well System From Freezing

Winterizing and De-winterizing Your Well

Turn a hot summer day into a fun water-saving adventure! In this game, players pretend to be Water Heroes working to stop Water Wasters—but there’s a cool twist!

What You Need:

• 1 spray bottle filled with water (or use a water blaster for older kids)
• Friends to play!

How to Play:

1. Choose one player to be the Water Saver—they carry the spray bottle.
2. Everyone else is a Water Waster running around the yard.
3. The Water Saver tags players by spraying them lightly with water.
4. When tagged, Water Wasters must freeze in place—they’ve been stopped!
5. To get unfrozen, another player must shout a water-saving tip (like “Turn off the tap when brushing!” or “Fix leaky faucets!”).
6. After a few rounds, switch roles so everyone gets a turn being the Water Saver.

Water-Smart Fun Tip: Use just a small mist setting and keep a bucket handy to refill from instead of the hose!

Summer is a common time for contamination, whether from heavy rains, flooding, nearby landscaping or construction, or bacterial growth in warm temperatures.

Our simple guide (image to the right!) will walk you through when the disinfection process is necessary—and when it’s not.

When should you disinfect your well?

• DO NOT use for regular maintenance
• After new construction or repair
• After flooding or major storms
• If harmful bacteria are found
• If the well has been abandoned or unused for extended periods.

Our videos and info sheets will guide you through the process and help you decide when to call a professional.

🎥 Video: Disinfecting a Well

🔗 Info Sheet: Disinfecting Your Well (also available in French and Spanish on our website)

🧪 Remember: Disinfection is only part of the solution; always test your water after to ensure it’s safe!

Even if your area isn’t officially in a drought, many regions are experiencing below-average rainfall and lower water tables. Conservation isn’t just for city water users; it matters just as much for private well owners.

Top Tips for Summer Water Conservation:

• Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Water plants early in the morning or late in the evening and use only native plants and grasses.
• Fix any household leaks promptly.
• Use mulch to retain soil moisture in gardens.
• DO NOT use your well to fill pools, hot tubs, or for other large uses. Use a water delivery service instead.

Every drop you save helps your well recover and reduces your risk of over-pumping or water shortages.

🌞 Share our “Top Tips for Summer Water Conservation” with neighbors and friends!

For more water conservation tips, check out our information sheet here.

As summer temperatures rise, groundwater levels can drop—especially during dry spells, drought, or with heavy water use. Water levels naturally rise in wet months and fall in dry ones, and it may take months of steady rain or snow to fully replenish your well. If your well seems slower, the water turns cloudy, has sediment, or sputters, you may be experiencing a low water level.

Our new video breaks down what signs to look for, what actions to take, and when to call a licensed well contractor. We also share simple, water-saving practices to help reduce strain on your well during the dry months.

🎥 Watch now: “Coping with Low Water Levels” – available on our YouTube channel.

Here’s a quick overview of steps you should take if you are experiencing low water levels:

Check Water Levels

Well records (also called well logs or well completion reports) contain helpful data on your well’s depth and yield. Compare past records to your current well output. Licensed well contractors can help measure your static water level and assess performance.

Conservation Makes a Difference

Simple changes like fixing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures, and spreading out household water usage can save thousands of gallons each year and reduce the stress on your well. Check out our article below for additional conservation measures.

Add More Capacity

Installing a large pressure tank or storage system can help during low water periods and reduce wear on your pump. In some cases, your well pump can be lowered, the well can be deepened, or redeveloped with techniques like hydrofracturing.

Pro Tip: Always consult a licensed well contractor before making changes, and test your water after any maintenance or repairs to ensure it’s safe.

Click here to read our information sheet on Coping with Low Water Levels. Need quick access to our tools, tips, and services? It’s all on our Linktree!

Recovering from a disaster is tough, but ensuring your private well is safe afterward is critical. Floods, storms, and other emergencies can compromise your water system without any obvious signs. Acting quickly and carefully can protect your drinking water, prevent long-term damage, and safeguard your family’s health. We have provided basic steps on what to do after a storm.

1. Water Safety First

If you’re unsure whether your water is safe, follow any local or state health department advisories. Do not drink or bathe with the water until it’s confirmed safe. Shallow or older wells are especially vulnerable to contamination, even if there’s no visible damage.

2. Electrical Warning

Never turn on your well pump or system after flooding until it has been thoroughly inspected. There is a serious risk of electrical shock. Rubber boots and gloves are not enough protection. Call a licensed electrician, well, or pump contractor to inspect and restore power safely.

3. Well & Septic System Concerns

Floodwater can carry debris that damages well parts or introduces sediment and bacteria. If your well wasn’t tightly sealed, it may be contaminated. Septic systems should not be used until the ground has dried, as flooding can damage drain fields and pipes.

4. Emergency Treatment Options

If bottled water isn’t available during an emergency, you can treat well water, but only if chemical contamination is ruled out. Boil for 1 minute, add 16 drops of unscented bleach per gallon, and wait 30 minutes. You can also use distillation or a certified filter for microbial removal. Always clean and disinfect storage containers first. After power outages, disinfect your well and don’t use the water until it’s tested and confirmed safe.

5. Water Testing

After a storm or disinfecting your well, it’s important to test the water to ensure bacteria have been eliminated and no other contaminants are present. To schedule a test, contact your local or state health department or use our interactive map to find a certified laboratory near you.

6. When in doubt, call the pros out!

Pumps submerged in floodwater must be cleaned of silt and sediment and dried before use. If not properly maintained, pumps can burn out. If you suspect your well or pump system has been impacted by the storm, call your licensed well or pump contractor for assistance. You can find a local professional by using our interactive map.

For additional guidance and resources, visit our dedicated Emergencies web page.

The wellcare® Hotline can also help! Our friendly staff members are available to answer your questions and provide you with any information you need to maintain a safe water supply. Contact us by calling 888-395-1033 or chat with us live at wellcarehotline.org.

Summer brings more than just sunshine…it can also bring severe storms, wildfires, flooding, and power outages. For homeowners with water wells, being unprepared during these events could mean a loss of access to safe water when you need it most.

That’s why we’ve launched our updated HELP: Homeowner Emergency Localized Plan program! It includes a new printable document to help you prepare before the storm and a section where you can fill in your emergency contacts and local resources. There’s also a quick-reference Emergency Kit Essentials infographic to keep on your fridge or in your emergency kit.

🔗 Download the HELP plan and infographic from our website

Pro Tip: Keep your HELP document in a waterproof bag near your emergency supplies and update it every season!

Ready for a fun experiment? Let’s make the water dirty and clean it up! 🥛🔎

Materials Needed:

• A plastic bottle (cut in half)
• Coffee filter or cloth
• Sand and gravel
• Activated charcoal (optional)
• Dirty water (from mud or food coloring mixed in water)
• A clean glass

Steps:

1. Place the bottle upside down, using the top as a funnel.
2. Layer the coffee filter, activated charcoal, sand, and gravel inside.
3. Slowly pour the dirty water into the top and watch as it filters through.
4. Observe the cleaner water that comes out at the bottom.

What Kids Learn:

• How filtration helps clean water.
• The role of different layers in removing dirt and contaminants.
• Why it’s important to have clean drinking water.

Take a short video or photo of your homemade water filtration and post it on our social media pages with #kidzkorner for a shout-out.

Thinking of Sharing a Water Well with Your Neighbor? Here’s What You Need to Know

Sharing a water well can be a practical and cost-effective solution for neighbors, but it also comes with important legal, financial, and maintenance considerations. Before you agree to share your well—or tap into a neighbor’s—understanding the ins and outs of a shared well arrangement is essential.

From legal requirements to maintenance responsibilities, this FAQ covers the key questions homeowners often have about shared wells. Whether you’re considering an agreement or already sharing a well, these insights will help you navigate the process smoothly.

Is it legal to share a water well with my neighbor?

Yes, but the legality depends on local and state regulations. Some areas may require permits, water rights agreements, or compliance with health and environmental codes. It’s best to check with your local agencies before proceeding.

Should we have a written agreement?

Absolutely. A shared well agreement helps prevent misunderstandings and sets clear terms for usage, maintenance, costs, and dispute resolution. Having it legally documented can protect both parties in case of future disagreements.

What should be included in a shared well agreement?

A shared well agreement should cover, but is not limited to:

• Water Usage – How much water each party can use.
• Maintenance & Repairs – Who is responsible for the upkeep, and how costs will be split.
• Electricity Costs – How you will share the power used by the well pump.
• Liability & Dispute Resolution – What happens if something goes wrong.
• Termination Clause – How either party can end the arrangement if needed.

Who pays for maintenance and repairs?

This should be outlined in your agreement. Typically, costs are shared equally, but if one party uses significantly more water, they may be responsible for a larger portion.

Can my neighbor claim ownership of my well?

No, unless you legally transfer ownership or grant them water rights. A shared well agreement ensures that you remain the well owner while allowing water access to your neighbor under agreed terms.

What if my neighbor overuses the water or doesn’t pay their share?

A shared well agreement should include provisions for overuse, non-payment, and consequences for violating the terms. You may have legal options if the agreement is breached.

Are there water quality concerns when sharing a well?

Yes. Regular water testing should be done to ensure it meets health standards. If contamination occurs, both parties need to resolve the issue.

Can I stop sharing the well if I change my mind?

This depends on your agreement. If there’s a termination clause, you can follow the outlined process to end the arrangement. If no formal agreement exists, local laws may determine how you can discontinue access.

Do I need to notify the government about a shared well?

Some areas require registration or reporting to local agencies. Check with your county to confirm.

What if I sell my property?

If the shared well agreement is legally binding, it may transfer to the new owner. Ensure the buyer understands the arrangement before purchasing the property.

Download our information sheet on Sharing a Well and sample Shared Well Agreement. Contact an attorney for assistance with a shared well agreement and understanding laws in your state. Your state Bar Association may have resources to help find an attorney.