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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.