Make sure your well water is safe.

repairfinder — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:35:41 +0200

Forty-seven percent of the United States depends on ground water for
their basic drinking water supply. Having a basic understanding about
ground water quality will help ensure that your well is supplying
potable water for your household.

Along with human activities, water quality is affected by a
combination of natural processes. Most relate to chemical compositions
underground. However, other factors such as biological, physical, and
radiological conditions can affect water quality as well.

The National Ground Water Association recommends that water well
owners have their wells checked and tested by a certified and/or
licensed contractor every year to ensure water safety. You can find
these licensed contractors on Repairfinders.com

Hard Water

The most common problem associated with ground water may be
hardness, generally associated with an abundance of calcium and/or
magnesium dissolved in the water. Hard water has not been shown to
cause health problems, but can be a nuisance as it may cause soap curds
and deposits to form on pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Over time,
this can reduce the diameter of the pipes.

Calcium and magnesium are found in ground water that has been
exposed to certain rocks and minerals, especially limestone and gypsum.
When these materials are dissolved, they release calcium and magnesium.
Hard water is considered bad for your plumbing, but people with heart
or circulatory problems may want to consult their physician about
drinking softened water, because the softening process removes calcium
and magnesium, and adds sodium to the water.

Iron and Manganese

A “rusty” or metallic taste in water is a result of iron, and
sometimes manganese, in ground water. They not only create a bad taste,
but they also can stain pipes and clothing.

Iron and manganese are naturally occurring, and most ground water
has some amount of dissolved iron and manganese in it. It comes from
contact with minerals that contain iron, such as pyrite.

There are several treatment methods. Installing a water softener may
help if iron and manganese are present in low quantities and the
softener is designed for their removal. Aeration (the addition of
oxygen to the water), chlorination, and feeding ozone or hydrogen
peroxide can aid in the precipitation of iron, which it is removed from
the water by filtration. Potassium permanganate feed with manganese
greensand filters, and some recently designed synthetic media, will
remove iron and manganese, as well.

Nitrogen

Most nitrogen in ground water comes from the atmosphere. Some plants
can “attach” nitrogen from the atmosphere onto their roots. The
nitrogen not used by the plants is then released into the soil.

Nitrogen compounds also can work their way into ground water through
fertilizers, manure, and urine from farm animals, sewage, and landfills.

The most common forms in ground water are ammonia, nitrate, and
nitrite. Nitrates can be especially toxic to children under six months
of age. Exposure to ammonia also presents a health risk. It is toxic to
aquatic life such as fish, and it interferes with water treatment.

There are a variety of treatment methods to correct this problem,
including reverse osmosis systems with water softeners to remove
nitrates and nitrites, and oxidation to remove small amounts of
ammonia. However, treatment should be a last resort. Removing the
source of contamination is the first priority. You should also be sure
to protect the area around the wellhead from contamination by animals
or fertilizers.

Silica

Silica comes from the weathering of silicate minerals in the ground.
It causes no harmful effects to humans, but large amounts can cause
scaling in pipes that impacts water flow, and it can interfere with
iron and manganese removal.

Sulfur

Sulfur can occur in ground water in two forms: sulfides and
sulfates. Sulfides are naturally occurring in much of the United States
in limestone containing organic materials; ground water affected by
oil, gas, and coal deposits; in marshes and manure pits; and in the
byproduct of well-established iron bio films. Sulfates often come from
the dissolving of minerals, such as gypsum and anhydrite.

A “rotten egg” smell coming from your water indicates the presence
of hydrogen sulfide gas. Along with creating an unpleasant odor and
taste, sulfides cause corrosion to plumbing and darken water.

There are several methods for treating sulfur. Aeration, ozone,
hydrogen peroxide, and chlorine (best followed by filtration) are
effective against dissolved hydrogen sulfide or gas. A reverse osmosis
system, nanofiltration system, or a negative ion-exchanger also can be
effective in reducing sulfates. Filtration is necessary in combating
sulfur formation as a mineral or in bio films.

Total Dissolved Solids

TDS, as it is commonly known, is the concentration of all dissolved
minerals in water. It is the direct measurement of the interaction
between minerals and ground water.

TDS levels above 1000 mg/L will usually yield poor tasting water.
Levels above 2000 mg/L are considered undrinkable due to taste, and
levels more than 10,000 mg/L are defined as undrinkable.

Water softeners with a reverse osmosis system are effective in lowering the TDS to satisfactory levels.

Additional Treatment Information

For more information on water treatment methods, you should contact a well specialist. There are many listed on Repairfinders.com .
All it takes is a moment of your time, and remember that when it comes
to something as life sustaining as water, you do not want to hold for
tomorrow, what you should do today.

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Make sure your well water is safe.