Know The Importance of Well Water Testing

Know The Importance of Well Water Testing

Posted by David Cannon on 12th Aug 2021

A majority of the population across the globe, especially in the United States, use well water for drinking and domestic purposes. A dug and bored well contains groundwater seeped through rains; however, along with it there are chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, and other contaminants get mixed through different sources. Hence, periodic well water testing is essential to check its usability. This is because minerals, bacteria, chemicals present in groundwater in excess quantities make the water hard and unfit for drinking and domestic use. Now you may ask, how often should one test their well water? Why is it important to perform water quality testing? This post answers all these questions. So, stay tuned.

4 Reasons Why You Should Test Your Well Water Annually

Many households in the USA get their drinking water from wells. Water supply departments run by local governments use water bodies such as rivers and lakes, water from which is transferred through pipes to the purification and storage units. Regardless of the water source, it is vital to check whether it is free from contaminants. This is because even if the water looks good and smells fine it may not be safe for drinking and other purposes. The environmental protection agency (EPA) suggests yearly well water testing for a total percentage of coliform bacteria, nitrate, pH level, heavy metals such as iron, zinc, and total dissolved solids. Here why:

  1. Total Coliforms: Coliform bacteria are organisms associated with the intestines of warm-blooded animals, on plants, in soils, and in well water too. These microbes are generally safe and are a part of the normal flora in the intestines. However, their presence in the drinking water indicates that pathogens or disease-causing organisms could be in the water. Also, coliforms such as E. coli cannot be present in excess quantities, else they may cause diarrhea or related symptoms. It is possible to test the total coliforms present in the water. If the count is high, then there could be other harmful germs, contaminants, parasites, and viruses present in the water.
  2. Fecal Coliforms: As the name implies, these microbes are a sub-group of the coliform species. They appear in excess quantities in the feces and digestive systems of humans and animals. Fecal coliforms are usually harmless. However, their presence in drinking water indicates contamination, which can cause diarrhea, hepatitis, dysentery, and so on.
  3. Nitrate: Ground water contains several chemical compounds, and nitrate is one of them. In the form of nitrogen oxoanion, it is found in many foods. However, consuming high-level nitrate water can affect how blood carries oxygen, and can cause methemoglobinemia. Nitrate originates from wastewater, fertilizers, private septic systems, animal waste, flooded sewers, and so on. Therefore, EPA suggests a nitrate test for all wells. The EPA standard for nitrate in drinking water is 10 milligrams per liter. Drinking water with nitrate levels at or below 10mg/L is considered safe for drinking.
  4. pH Level: pH level indicates how acidic or basic the drinking water is. The pH level of water varies across the globe depending on human activity, weather patterns, natural processes, and more. Drinking water with a low pH level can be a sign of heavy metal pollution, which will damage pipes, meters, and other supporting equipment and can eventually make you sick. Ideally, water should be from neutral to slightly alkaline.

By now, you may understand the importance of annual water quality testing. It not only removes impurities and contaminants from water but also eliminates potential health risks. You can also opt for an appropriate water filtration system to make it potable. An appropriate water filtration system will help you in all possible ways – from neutralizing the pH level of the water to chlorinating it to kill bacteria. Good filtration systems also have carbon filters and UV filters which are effective in removing sediments and particulate matter, bacteria, and heavy metals. These are commonly used in reverse osmosis systems. Are you in search of a reliable industry player from the USA who will offer these systems? If that sounds yes, then Cannon Water Technology is a one-stop solution for you. With vast years of industry experience, the company specializes in supplying water filtration systems, chemicals pumps, pH meters, and so on.