Although a well is an invaluable asset for any home and business, it is vulnerable to contamination. Potential contaminants, including heavy metals, fluoride, and microbiological and organic chemicals, can have numerous long-term health risks.

High levels of heavy metals, for instance, can cause cancer and kidney problems, while excess fluoride in well water can lead to dental fluorosis, characterized by tooth discoloration and enamel damage. Luckily, well owners can take measures to protect their wells from contamination and ensure their water is safe and healthy.

1. Proper Maintenance

Proper well maintenance ensures your well functions optimally and produces safe and healthy water. It involves managing the activities around your well, keeping contaminants away, and caring for the well. What are some ways to maintain your well effectively?

2. Periodic Water Testing

Among the best ways to protect your well is through regular testing to identify and treat any contaminants. Test it promptly if you note a drastic change in your water quality, including its taste, smell, and color.

Also, consider testing when you perform repairs on the well, live in an area with contamination issues, and notice the conditions in your well's vicinity have changed, such as land disturbances and mining activities.

Typically, test your well for pH levels, coliform bacteria, and total dissolved solids every year. Also, test for additional contaminants such as those unique in your region. For instance, if you live in an area with gas drilling operations, consider testing your well for sodium, strontium, and chloride. Similarly, test your well for pesticides, nitrate, and coliform bacteria if you live in agricultural regions. 

You may wonder where to test your well water. The best place is accredited laboratories in your state that perform drinking water testing. The tests establish the level of the tested contaminant in relation to the national health standards.

The treatment process depends on the identified contaminant, levels, and well conditions. While some pollutants are easily treatable through disinfection, filtration, and distillation, others require a new well or an alternative water source. 

3. Appropriate Disaster Response

Disasters such as earthquakes, flooding, and landslides can affect well water quality by allowing contaminants and pollutants into the well. Floods, for instance, are notorious for contaminating wells with chemicals, debris, pesticides, and spillage. As such, after a flood, take the following precautions to keep you and your well safe.

First, do not use the well water until you are sure it is free from contaminants. You can use bottled water or any other safe water supply. Remember that boiling the contaminated water does not remove toxins and is thus not safe for drinking. 

Second, contact a licensed well professional for help inspecting and disinfecting the well. They can identify any contaminants and advise accordingly.   

Contact Brown & Cox for well drilling, pump installation, and well repair in Metro Atlanta. We pride ourselves on three decades of experience, quality workmanship, and exceptional customer service. We are proud to meet all your residential and commercial well needs.