Although the United States has developed clean water systems in urban and suburban areas, there still remains well over 15 million people who receive their clean water from a private well. Private wells are intricately engineered and have been improved in functionality over the course of time. Obtaining water through a well brings a whole new set of water contaminants to the forefront of the purification process. Most well owners don't worry about chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia or aluminum being introduced to their water supply as those receiving city water do (Read more on City Water Here). However, well owners must filter out many organic particles, bacteria and man-made pesticides in order to maintain clean water for their homes. An important process to understand is how water gets to our private wells. By following the flow of water to private wells we can understand exactly how water must be treated to achieve pure and safe drinking water.
As with any water we are bringing into our homes, whether by private well or your municipality's water, the process begins with a look at the Hydrologic Cycle. This process is outlinedhere in Part One of this series.
How a Private Well Works
Starting from the precipitation phase of the Hydrologic Cycle, the water that is absorbed into the earth drips down into underground aquifers. These aquifers are not large, open caves beneath the earth's surface, but instead they are layers of rock and sediment and soil that water slowly drips through. Gravity works by pulling the surface water down through the rock and soil deep into the layers of earth. Once the water drips past the initial layer, it then saturates the deeper soils. The top layer of soil that is left drier and doesn't necessarily carry any fresh water is called the water table.
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The higher the soil, the more water gets trapped in the rock and dirt. The deeper into the earth you would go, the more water is saturated and "pooling" into holes and caverns. When a well is dug into the ground, it is merely a hole, that when dug deep enough, fills up with fresh water. The well would need to be below the water table in order for it to fill with water. Modern wells use pumps that pull the water up against the force of gravity and pushes the water through pipes into your home.
The great thing about private wells is they are most often times free from city-added chemicals such as chlorine, aluminum and ammonia. (Read more on city added chemicals here). However, it also means that the homeowner is left to be responsible for maintaining clean and safe water for his own home. Private wells are not covered by the EPA regulations, which means routine water tests should be performed by homeowners.
Although the United States has one of the safest drinking water supplies in the world, there are still many contaminants that can infiltrate ground water that flow to wells. Most are naturally occurring minerals and chemicals (such as radon and arsenic). However, local land use practices can also bring in pesticides, chemicals from farms and contaminants from malfunctioning waste-water treatment systems.
Although the United States has one of the safest drinking water supplies in the world, there are still many contaminants that can infiltrate ground water that flow to wells. Most are naturally occurring minerals and chemicals (such as radon and arsenic). However, local land use practices can also bring in pesticides, chemicals from farms and contaminants from malfunctioning waste-water treatment systems.
Natural Chemicals
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. From there it can dissolve into a water supply.
Groundwater that flows through granite or granitic sand is often found to have a higher level of radon than other areas. Radon becomes more of a problem when showering, washing dishes and doing laundry as the steam from the hot water used releases the radon gas into the air.
Radon has been shown to increase the risk of developing stomach or other internal organ cancers. A whole house carbon filter is the best way to remove radon from water.
Arsenic
Arsenic is also a naturally occurring element in rocks and soil. It usually enters the water from natural deposits in the earth near an underground aquifer. There is a popular belief that when water levels drop significantly, arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formation below the earth.
Arsenic is similar to Radon in the way that it is more harmful in water vapor and as a gas than in water alone. Arsenic has been linked to bladder, lung and skin cancer and also has effects on the nervous system. It may also cause birth defects and reproductive problems.
One of the best ways to filter out Arsenic is with an RO Filter or through distillation.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. From there it can dissolve into a water supply.
Groundwater that flows through granite or granitic sand is often found to have a higher level of radon than other areas. Radon becomes more of a problem when showering, washing dishes and doing laundry as the steam from the hot water used releases the radon gas into the air.
Radon has been shown to increase the risk of developing stomach or other internal organ cancers. A whole house carbon filter is the best way to remove radon from water.
Arsenic
Arsenic is also a naturally occurring element in rocks and soil. It usually enters the water from natural deposits in the earth near an underground aquifer. There is a popular belief that when water levels drop significantly, arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formation below the earth.
Arsenic is similar to Radon in the way that it is more harmful in water vapor and as a gas than in water alone. Arsenic has been linked to bladder, lung and skin cancer and also has effects on the nervous system. It may also cause birth defects and reproductive problems.
One of the best ways to filter out Arsenic is with an RO Filter or through distillation.
Chemical Runoff
Chemicals used in farming and other agricultural practices are one of the most dangerous contaminants for well owners. Farms that use pesticides, herbicides and other man-made chemicals almost always end up contaminating ground water around their own land and even land that is miles away.
Once chemicals are used, anything remaining on plants or on the surface ground water level becomes mobile through snow and rain. The precipitation pushes the water and chemicals through the ground water and then it infiltrates the aquifers below the earth. From there the chemical flows into water supplies and gets pumped up through wells into resident's homes. Water travels quite a distance and sometimes the chemicals and pesticides used in farming can end up miles away just by the flow of water. |
While it's a great benefit to have your own water source, those who have wells must be more diligent in keeping their water safe and clean. There are fewer checks and regulatory tests along the path. However, it doesn't need to be difficult or costly. Below are some easy to use water testing kits that will keep you informed on the quality of your private well water.
Well Water Test Kits
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Amanda Klecker, Zell Plumbing & Heating