Why Private Well Testing is Important?
A lot of people rely on private wells for water supply. If you own a private well, you need to test the waters regularly. Testing the waters will help in identifying the presence of any pathogens. This will prevent potential contamination of water.
In this post, you will learn about the importance of private well testing. Also, you will learn about the proper procedure for private well testing.
The Need for Regular Private Well Testing
Monitoring the quality of well water is important for the health of the household. This is important to avoid diseases caused by waterborne pathogens. Testing private well water will help in the identification of problems with the water supply. Well water testing will ensure that the water is not contaminated. Here are some of the reasons why it’s important to carry out regular private well testing.
- Determine whether water is safe for drinking
- Determine the effectiveness of water treatment solution
- Determine the safety of water after a natural disaster such as flood or earthquake
- Determine whether water is suitable for water plants
- Presence of nitrates, pesticides, and other contaminants if the well is located in an agricultural land
What Should be Tested During Private Well Testing?
Water should be tested for the presence of harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. These pathogens are not visible to the human eye and can only be tested through a certified laboratory testing agency.
Water might look and taste good, but it may not be safe for drinking if it contains pathogens. The microbes can cause different types of diseases if not removed from the water. You should not assume that a clear result of a private well of a neighbor means that your well is clear. Sometimes two wells located right next to each other have different results. So, it’s important for private well owners to carry on tests at regular intervals.
At the least, you should consider private well testing every three years. But depending on where you reside, you may need to schedule a test more regularly.
Frequency of Well Water Testing
Residents in areas that are prone to storms and flooding should carry on a test once a year. Also, households with children or pregnant or nursing women should carry on regular water testing.
You need to carry out an immediate water well testing in case of the following.
- Sudden change in taste, smell, or appearance of water
- Presence of contaminants in a neighbor’s well
- Unexplained illness among one or more household members
You may need to provide samples of well water in sterile bottles to the private well water agency. The agency may ask you to collect one or multiple samples. Make sure that you ask the exact instructions for collecting the sample.
The importance of private well water testing cannot be emphasized enough. Well water testing will ensure that you and your family are not exposed to harmful pathogens. The simple step can prevent serious problems later on. To schedule a well water test, give the professionals at RIES WELL DRILLING Inc. a call. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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