Learn what steps to take to keep your drinking water safe and your well viable.
Before learning how to protect your groundwater supply, you need to know why groundwater sources are so important. Groundwater is the only source for private wells and many of the nation's public utilities. Groundwater provides fresh water for drinking, household use, farming, and major industry, and the United States is the largest well water market in the world. So, as one of the 15.9 million well water users, protecting your source and all its uses is extremely important.
Below are some simple procedures and precautions you can use to ensure your well is providing the highest quality water.
1. Make Periodic Inspections
- look for cracked or corroded casings, missing or broken well caps, protective casing damage, cracking and or settling of surface seals.
2. Slope the Well Area
- keep the well above runoff drainage to minimize contamination
3. Locate Well in a Low Contamination Area
- keep the well away from animal pens, manure areas, lateral fields, pit privy, chemical storage areas, machinery areas, waste piles, sewers, lagoons, fertilizers, petroleum products, underground storage tanks, and septic tanks (consult your local health department for well testing assistance)
4. Keep Pollutants Below Well Level
- any type of potentially polluting activity should be kept below the well level.
5. Disinfect the Water Well
- do this at least once a year using bleach or hypochlorite granules
6. Provide Cleaning
- sediment removal or well cleaning is necessary
7. Test the Well for Contaminants
- test at least once a year for fecal coliform, nitrate, radon gas, pesticides, and other harmful contaminants (consult your local health department for well testing assistance). A certified laboratory will test your sample and provide an analysis of your drinking water for a fee ranging form $25 to $165 depending on the level of analysis you desire.
8. Keep Accurate Records
- keep track of well maintenance, disinfections and removals, and any chemical treatments
9. Keep Pollutants Out of Well Area
- avoid using pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, degreasers, fuels and other pollutants near your well
10. Be Aware of Changes
- take special note of changes in the well, the area around the well, or the water it provides.
11. Always Use Licensed Professionals
- for drilling, pump installation, and cleaning services be sure to use certified well workers.
Following these steps will help you to keep your well water safe for all its many uses.
