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Contents Found in Well Water

Well water can be cost beneficial, but as a trade-off for not having municipal water bills, your water is not tested and treated with chemicals to make it safe for drinking. You are responsible for having your well water tested on a regular basis. The number and type of contaminants found in the water will vary depending on the location of the well and the potential pollutants found in the area.

  1. Water Well Construction

    • Many homes located in rural areas have water wells. Each home has its own well, and you are responsible for the maintenance of the well and pump. How deep the well is depends on the depth of the water table. Some wells are only a few feet below the surface, while others are more than 25 feet underground. A pump will draw water through a pipe and in many modern systems send the water to a storage tank. The construction of the well is important, as cracks in the pipes can let in contaminants, and a well subject to back flow from sewers or flooding also will become contaminated.

    Environmental Concerns

    • The contaminants found in the groundwater in the area of your well are going to be found in the well water. In farm areas, these can be pesticides, animal waste or fertilizers. If the well is near a factory, run-off from the factory can get into the groundwater. Soil high in nitrates or other chemicals can also contaminate the water supply. You can check with your local public water system and find out what contaminants are found in your area.

    Common Contaminants

    • Water testing checks for several contaminants, such as human or animal waste. Low levels of coliforms can be present, but these are more indicative of other contaminants. Some byproducts of water disinfection, such as bromite or chlorite, can be present, as chemicals introduced into water to kill bacteria are then present in the water. Several types of chemicals found in factory discharge may be present. Also several chemicals found in pesticides. Some natural minerals may also get in the water supply. Water also should be tested for radon.

    Testing Guidelines

    • There are no federal regulations for well water. You should have your water tested at least once a year, more often if you live in an area with more pollutants. You should also have it tested any time something seems wrong, such as color changes or the water begins to smell. If the well has been testing safe for a long period of time and is suddenly testing high for contaminants, the pipes and pump should be checked to make sure they are still sound and working properly.

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