Many households in the US have a water well property. Based on the census done in 2017 by the American Housing Survey, over 13 million households in the United States have a private water source where they have unlimited access to safe drinking water. Some homeowners bought a property with a well water system already in place, while others had it installed post-acquisition. In both cases, a well water system is considered a valuable asset to a household, especially for those who reside in rural locations or far-flung areas.
Having a private water source provides the homeowners with a safe, reliable, and secure water supply. Apart from this, a fully-functional well water system can benefit a household in many ways. For instance, since the water supply is independent of local utility providers, there are no monthly payments for water services. Also, service interruptions won’t affect the house in case of system failure or natural phenomena, such as typhoons.
The availability and abundance of potable water from the deep parts of the ground depend on the house’s location. Thus, it’s wise for homeowners to take advantage of the natural water supply, should they have one on their property. Also, since building and maintaining a well water system requires time, effort, and resources, it’s essential to know how to care for and protect its quality and longevity.
If you’d like to know the dos and don’ts of having a well water system in your home, below are some suggestions you can consider:
The Dos Of Having A Well Water System At Home
1. Maximize The Functionality Of Your Well Water System
Most well water systems provide a sufficient supply, provided that they’re built correctly. However, there are times when supply interruption is inevitable, especially as the system is dependent on electricity.
To optimize the purposefulness of your water source, you can consult with well water solutions specialists, such as EPP Well Solutions. These providers help you maximize your well by installing digitized systems that you can use to harvest more water while preventing over pumping, which can damage your well in the long run.
Aside from improving your pumping system, having innovative water well solutions also give you access to potable water in emergencies. For instance, you can have a storage system installed to have enough water to use in case of power failure. On the other hand, well solutions providers also have manual pumps that you can use to retrieve water in case of technical difficulty or blackouts.
2. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Maintaining your private well requires regular testing and maintenance. These services are essential to ensure a sufficient water supply and ideal water quality that’s safe for consumption and usage. Thus, you’ll need to allocate time and resources for regular repairs or checkups and water testing to ensure potability.
Water wells can remain functional for up to 50 years with proper care and usage. Hence, your investment towards its maintenance will stay minimal compared to the convenience and cost-effectiveness of having a private water resource on your property.
3. Ensure Water Quality
To ensure the quality of your well water, it’s essential to schedule an annual well maintenance check. This testing includes a bacterial test to confirm that the water is safe to drink and use for food preparation. Aside from this, groundwater should also be free from any unusual odor, color, and appearance for it to be considered safe for household use.
If your water quality declines, you can consult with experts and see if you need to change your filtration system or use water softeners. There are various water purifying techniques to choose from, and you can upgrade or replace what you currently have to improve the quality and safety of your drinking water.
4. Keep The Surroundings Clean
Well water comes from the deep parts of the earth, and there are rocks, sand, and soil that act as filters that help keep it pure and clean. However, it’s still possible for the water to become contaminated once it reaches the surface. If the surroundings are unsafe, there’s a risk of polluting the water, affecting its potability.
To prevent contamination, it’s best to keep the surroundings of the well clean and far from pollutants. Aside from this, it’s essential to keep the water source away from drainage and other wastewater systems to safeguard the water quality.
The Don’ts Of Having A Well Water System At Home
1. Don’t Expose The Water Source To Contaminants
Your well water can be contaminated and unsafe for use if exposed to elements, such as dirt, debris, decaying matter, animal manure, and sewage water. Aside from these, the water source should also be kept away from chemicals, such as paint, detergents, fertilizers, pesticides, and motor oil. These pollutants and substances can be a health hazard when touched or ingested, and this is why it’s vital to protect the well water from being polluted.
For an added precaution, you can have your well water tested more regularly to ensure that it’s safe to consume and use in your home. Aside from these, you can also enhance your water filtration system to boost your water quality and safety.
2. Don’t Test The Water Without Checking The Pumping And Storage System
Many homeowners test the water quality without checking the cleanliness of the harvesting and storage systems. Having both systems checked is essential to ensure functionality and cleanliness. They can also impact water safety since they directly contact the water harvested from the source.
For more accurate water testing, you can consider hiring a qualified water systems contractor to check your well systems first. Then, they can also assist in checking your water quality and help you improve it as needed. Instead of using chlorine to clean the well and kill bacteria in the water, as many homeowners tend to do, it’ll be more efficient and practical to acquire professional services. This way, you can be sure that the well system is thoroughly cleaned and that the water quality is improved.
3. Don’t Skip Maintenance And Repairs
It’s essential to have your water harvesting and storage systems checked from time to time. While a professional well maintenance inspection may entail certain costs for the homeowner, it can be considered a wise investment in the long run. Regular maintenance and repairs help prevent common problems and issues from worsening, making the water system more difficult and expensive to restore.
Moreover, it’s essential to have the water quality and systems tested and checked regularly to prevent contamination, which poses severe health and safety risks for the whole household. This way, you’ll also be able to avoid hefty medical expenses, discomfort, and inconvenience from getting sick due to unsafe water.
4. Don’t Seal An Abandoned Well On Your Own
If you live in an area where many properties have private wells, it’s highly likely for you to find a well water source on your property that’s either active or has exceeded its serviceable lifespan. In that case, it’s essential to have it sealed adequately by professional contractors and experts to ensure safety and prevent accidents.
Having an unsealed abandoned well attracts rodents and bugs, potentially contaminating other functioning water sources near the area. Aside from this, it’s also possible for people to fall into the hole where the well is located. Hence, it’s essential to have it completely sealed and secured before building a well water system in your home.
You can consider hiring a water systems contractor to help you determine if an unused well is no longer suitable for current or future use. Then, you can contact your local authorities to see what the state requirements are regarding sealing abandoned wells. In many states, the government requires homeowners to notify their local water supply bureau of any abandoned well on their property that need to be sealed before proceeding.
Conclusion
A well water system on your property can be considered a valuable asset to improve your family’s comfort and lifestyle. Having an unlimited water supply in your household allows you to do household chores and tasks without disruption, even in emergencies. Furthermore, a well water system is a wise investment to make because of its cost-effectiveness and reliability, as well as the quality of water it supplies.
Given its benefits, it’s vital to protect and care for your well water system. Regular testing, checkups, and maintenance are essential for you to optimize its functionality and prolong its lifespan. Also, you’ll need to test the quality of your water to ensure that it’s safe to consume and use in your household. These procedures will help you maximize your investment, maintain your water supply, and protect your family against health hazards.
Before building private water wells on your property, you’ll need to do your research and gather information to help you optimize your resources and operate them effectively. For instance, you’ll need to identify an area where you can safely source potable water. Also, you’ll need to seal any abandoned well to prevent contamination and safety hazards. In doing so, you can build a well water system effectively and optimize its use for the years to come.
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