We’ve asked SimpleWater to share their knowledge about well maintenance and their new product Tap Score. Enjoy, DIY Folks
While we’ve come a long way since the hand-dug wells of Egypt and other ancient civilizations, modern wells are still susceptible to a range of issues that may affect the quality of your home’s drinking water.
Thirty-eight percent of America’s population relies on groundwater for its drinking supply. Private wells must be properly installed, inspected, and tested on a regular basis in order to ensure groundwater quality. And the thing is… you are responsible for the maintenance and care of your private well system.
If you’re one of the 38%, what can you do to ensure your well water is safe and contaminant-free?
Answer: Quite a lot, actually. The following is a quick and simple how-to guide:
- Check your well for proper construction and installation.
While you’ll surely be in a pickle if your well was originally constructed in a poor fashion, it’s important to first determine whether you’re at risk of water woes due to the nature of your well’s installation.
There are a few matters to check for here. First, the casing of your well should be capped off by a sanitary seal/concrete cover that stands approximately 12” above ground. This keeps unwanted pests and surface water out. Second, you’ll want to make sure that your well was installed a minimum of 50 feet from your septic tank and at least 100 feet from the septic system’s drainage field, although these distances can vary depending upon state regulations. Finally, the ground surrounding your well should slope away from the well in order to prevent water pooling.
- Clear the area around your well.
It’s important to keep the area surrounding your well free of undesirable elements, including fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and general debris. Any of these examples—including other forms of waste—can contaminate your well if used or stored in close proximity.
- Perform regular well inspections.
You should give your well a close look at least once a year, even if you know your well was properly constructed. Over time, cracks and other forms of corrosion can occur that compromise the integrity of your well and the quality of your home’s drinking water. If you observe that there may be an issue, or if it has been over three years since a professional has inspected your well, contact a contractor licensed to perform well inspections.
- Close off wells no longer in use.
Improperly abandoned wells pose a threat. Those that have not been sealed off can act as a surface water conduit that might contaminate groundwater. Wells no longer in use can be correctly sealed by a licensed well contractor before they are abandoned.
- Have your water tested yearly.
Even if your well has been properly built, placed, and has passed all inspections, it is still important to test your drinking water. Off-the-shelf at-home water tests are not usually complete, but they can be useful initial screens, especially if you know what to test for. Tap Score, powered by SimpleWater, is developed with private well owners in mind. Tap Score tests for lead, arsenic, nitrate, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other known well-water contaminants. We test for over 100 contaminants and then provide you with a personalized water quality report, complete with actionable recommendations.
Note from the caring folks at SimpleWater —
SimpleWater is a science and health services company educating you to improve your drinking water. We offer the only water testing service with Personalized Health Analysis and Treatment Recommendations
We serve homes, families and businesses asking: “what’s in my water, what does it mean, and how do I ensure the safety of what I’m drinking?”
SimpleWater’s national team of certified laboratory scientists, engineers, health experts and designers provide each customer with a personalized Tap Score Water Quality Report. SimpleWater’s Tap Score is the Nation’s First Smart Water Testing Service for affordable and informative contaminant screening and personalized treatment recommendations.
Call Anytime:: 888 34 MY WATER (+1-888-346-9928)
Learn more about Tap Score and Find Out What’s In Your Water at MyTapScore.Com
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from Homey Improvements http://homeyimprovements.com/basic-water-well-maintenance-guide/
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