A reliable source of water is essential for all residential properties. Some homes rely on a municipal water delivery system, but many draw their water from a private well. Private wells are not monitored by the government and require ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the water they provide remains clean and pure. All residential wells are at risk of being compromised by contaminants from the surrounding environment. Contaminants that find their way into well water pose a serious health risk for those who rely on residential wells. One dangerous contaminant you need to monitor for if you have a well on your property is waterborne arsenic. Waterborne arsenic has the potential to wreak havoc on the health and well-being of your family, so address this type of contamination quickly and efficiently.

Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in many rocks and soils. When arsenic combines with other elements to form an inorganic compound, the arsenic becomes dangerous. One method by which private wells are contaminated with arsenic is through leaching. Leaching occurs when surface water from rain or snow passes through an arsenic-rich soil deposit before draining into the well. Another way that your well could become contaminated with arsenic is through accidental exposure. Some paints, drugs, soaps, and agricultural products contain trace levels of arsenic. If these products accumulate in high enough volumes inside your well, waterborne arsenic levels will rise.

Waterborne arsenic could seriously affect your family's health. Arsenic exposure can lead to neurological and behavioral issues in children. Long-term exposure could cause irreparable damage to your kidneys, bladder, and skin cells. Your lungs could also be at risk if your well contains arsenic. You are at risk of developing lung damage when you inhale the steam in your shower if your well has waterborne arsenic. Extreme cases of contamination can even result in blood disturbances and death. Monitor your water supply constantly for arsenic contamination to prevent your well from making your family sick.

Regular water quality testing is the easiest way to identify the presence of waterborne arsenic in your well water. An experienced technician can gather a sample of the water in your well and test for the presence of contaminants in a laboratory. If you do discover that your well is contaminated, you can do some things to help make your water supply safe once again. You can invest in a filtration system that can remove the waterborne arsenic from your water supply as it enters your home. You can also choose to drill a new well if soil samples from your property do not show evidence of arsenic contamination. You should work closely with your well maintenance technician to detect contamination levels and identify the appropriate methods to prevent waterborne arsenic from becoming a serious problem in your home in the future. When you understand how waterborne arsenic enters your well and how it can negatively affect your family, you can more effectively monitor your water supply for this dangerous contaminant in the future. You will need the services of a reliable well technician to help you identify and treat any waterborne arsenic that finds its way into your private well. At Brown & Cox, we have the knowledge and expertise needed to restore the safety and reliability of your water supply. Contact us today if you suspect that your well water has been compromised. We want to help with any well-related issue or concern you may have. Let us know if you have any questions.