Well water needs adequate treatment to ensure that it’s safe to consume and use in your home. The EPA is not responsible for the regulation of private well safety, and owners need to take action to protect their health. Most private well water users conduct regular water testing to fully understand the makeup of their water. Well water characteristics and quality can vary periodically due to local activity and other factors. In this article, we will take a closer look at how you can choose the best well water filtration system to meet your needs.
The Importance of Regular Water Testing
Many common water quality issues can be detected by the taste, appearance, and odor. But, some problems cannot be detected with our natural senses, and this makes water testing essential. Annual testing is advisable if you want to choose and use the best water filtration systems to meet your needs. A water testing kit can give you some basic information, but it’s not a substitute for laboratory water testing.
Why Does the Water Quality Change?
There are a number of geographic features that can affect the quality of groundwater. Nearby structures can be potential pollution sources if they are used for fuel storage or sewage. Agricultural activity can lead to pesticide and herbicide runoff that may contaminate groundwater supplies. Industrial activity can cause pollution, and salts used to remove ice from road surfaces are also a problem. Natural disasters and flooding can increase the level of runoff and many potential pollutants in groundwater. As you can see, there are a lot of variables to consider, and this is why many private well users test their water quality throughout the year.
Which Contaminants are Found in Well Water?
The contaminants can be broadly divided into two categories, natural and manmade. The more common issues are related to the presence of high concentrations of iron, copper, sediment, and hydrogen sulfide. Turbidity is a lack of water clarity that often indicates the presence of contaminants. Some of the more dangerous contaminants to monitor closely include: arsenic, lead, mercury, nitrates, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). But, it’s also important to note that microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, cysts, organic chemicals, and more, may be lurking in groundwater too. Waterborne illnesses cause health problems for many people globally each year, and in extreme cases, the results can be fatal.
How Do I Choose the Right Water Filtration System?
All decisions should be based on good information, and a laboratory water test is the best way to understand your water supply. It’s also important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all water filtration system that will remove every type of contaminant. It will be necessary to install multiple systems in series to remove specific contaminants from your incoming water supply. A typical configuration may be a prefilter to remove sediment followed by a water softener, a reverse osmosis filter, and a UV filter to kill microorganisms. But, your water treatment needs may differ significantly.
If you want to learn more about private well water testing, filtration, and softening, contact your local water treatment specialist today.
By EcoWater Systems.
EcoWater Systems of Nebraska is the largest water treatment company in the state and is a member of Water Quality Association.