Tips On Well Water Testing And Maintenance

By Minnie Whitley


If you happen to get drinking water from a well, it is advisable to get it tested by a lab to be sure if it is safe for you and your household. You do not have to get sick to know the water is not safe. Some health problems are long term and develop over years. This is due to some certain contaminants found in boreholes. Never assume that because your neighbor well is safe after testing that yours is safe too. Some factors that like underground geology and surface, construction of the borehole and the depth determines the its safety. Therefore it is advisable to have regular well water testing.

Water quality changes depend on the season. Plenty of rains, being dry and refilling again and again are among the contributions of changes in quality. Tests are hence vital and acquired results should be kept safely for future reference. One should be responsible for a regular borehole test on his own private borehole.

An ideal step to safety is by ensuring that you fix the cracks on the cover. The water may appear safe and taste normal but several dangerous matters that have no taste or odour may be present, chemicals and bacteria constitute such matters. They may find their entry through septic systems or fertilizer seeps hence contamination of underground water.

It is recommendable to test your water yearly for bacteria. Once it has been contaminated, a variation of infectious diseases which include hepatitis, dysentery, salmonellosis and giardiasis are very common. These diseases come with various symptoms which include vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. In order to access this bacterial safety, it should be tested for coliform bacteria.

Such bacteria do not necessarily mean to cause diseases, but their presence confirms surface contamination into the system. If the coliform are found, the H2O should first be boiled before drinking or even cooking and again disinfecting the system. If the sewage is properly maintained it reduces the chances of contaminating the well.

If it happens that the results are prove of contamination, the water must not be used until the bacteria is identified and treated accordingly and after resampling ought to be done. The results pose an immediate health concern. The responsibility to ensure treatment is done before usage lies with the owner. The short term remedy to this problem is to have the H2O boiled before use

To be safe and at peace with your well H2O, long term treatment is valued. There are several methods used to treat the H2O effectively removing various contaminants. The local DWO ought to advise you on the best treatment with regard to the quality of problems identified. The selection of treatment device in use, follow ups and maintenance are the concerns of the private owner.

Once the treatment is done, its important to carry out regular sampling to ensure safety of drinking water. If the results are good abrupt health concerns are improbable, however the long term solution should be considered to eliminate contaminants.




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