What You Need to Know About Owning a Home with a Well
Over the last year, many people have traded away city life for a quiet life in the country. If you’re interested in moving to a rural area, you may have a few surprises to contend with. One of the biggest differences involves where your water comes from.
Expect that if you’re getting a country home, you’ll be relying on a water well system rather than municipal water. Read on to find out what you should know about owning a home that uses well water.
Where the water comes from
Well water is derived straight from the ground, and is not treated. A well driller will go straight to the aquifer, a layer of underground permeable rock that contains water. A pump system is then installed to carry the water from the ground into the home.
Groundwater isn’t hard to find. It’s rain that has moved through the earth and settled into an aquifer. However, it does absorb many things along the way, so there will be more minerals than you’re used to.
Hard water
If you’re relying on water well systems, know that your water is likely to be hard. That means it includes dissolved organic materials like those minerals found in soil or rocks underground. Calcium and magnesium are the two minerals that typically make well water hard.
In most cases, you’ll need to use a water softener to deal with this issue. Any time you’re building a home that doesn’t have access to city water, you’ll need to install a water softener. This equipment will need regular updating to treat your water effectively.
Odors and staining
You may notice in older homes that there are stains on the sinks, toilets and tubs. This can be due to hard water or water that has high iron content. While iron isn’t a health hazard, it is annoying to remove, as it creates ugly orange stains. However, you can use water treatment equipment that will be able to deal with the problem.
Contamination
Most water well systems issues are related to minor concerns like staining and taste, but there are some potentially serious problems as well. It’s possible for well water to become contaminated from elements like uranium, arsenic and radon, all of which dissolve in groundwater. Talk to an expert about the levels of these chemicals in your area to understand the risks.
Testing well water
Well water is variable in quality, so the best way to keep everyone safe is to have regular testing conducted. Federal guidelines recommend testing your water at least annually for things like E. coli and harmful bacteria. The water will also need to be tested for high levels of radon, arsenic, minerals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
At Action Electric Motor & Pump Repair, we know that you rely on your well water every day. That’s why we offer fast and efficient service on everything from repairs to water pump replacement. Give us a call today to learn about how we can deliver on all your well water needs.
Categorised in: Water Well Systems