What To Know About Well Water in Your New Home
When moving to a house with well water, it’s important to know what to expect and how to maintain the quality of your water. Well water can come with many advantages, but it can also present challenges, such as odors or potential contaminants.
As a homeowner, ensuring the quality of your well water falls on you. If you’re ready to learn about the benefits of well water and all you need to know about your new water supply, continue reading. At Pure Water Works, we have been helping well owners across Michigan keep their water clean and clear since 1975.
Where Does Well Water Come From?
Understanding where well water comes from is the first step in knowing how to care for it. Well water is drawn from underground aquifers, which are natural water reservoirs. These aquifers collect rainwater, snowmelt, and runoff, filtering it through layers of soil and rock. This process can help to naturally purify water, but it can also allow minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants to seep in.
Residential water wells in rural areas in Michigan often contain naturally occurring minerals and heavy metals. Some public water systems also have these issues. However, wells can harbor bacteria that you won’t typically find in municipal water. This is because public water facilities are required to chemically treat the water before distributing it to ensure it’s safe to drink.
When you use a private well, you’re responsible for maintaining it. This means that you need to stay on top of well system maintenance as well as water quality assurance.
Is Well Water Drinkable?
If you’re moving to a house with a well, you may notice certain odors, bad tastes, or even discoloration in the water. These issues can be caused by various factors, like iron, hydrogen sulfide gas, organic matter, or even bacteria. Pure Water Works offers comprehensive water testing and whole-home water filtration solutions to address all potential contaminants.
Some common water problems we help treat include:
- Hydrogen sulfide gas, which can produce a rotten egg smell
- Iron and manganese, which can cause rust-colored and gray/black stains throughout your home
- Nitrates, which can pose health risks, especially to infants
- Arsenic in water, which is a toxic, naturally occurring element
- Hard minerals, which can cause limescale buildup, plumbing problems, and other issues throughout your property
While well water can contain various contaminants, with proper water testing and treatment, you can drink well water without worry. At Pure Water Works, we have advanced water filter systems that remove these impurities and more. With decades of experience, our experienced team provides professional installation and ongoing support to keep your well water clean.
Well Water Is Typically Hard Water
Well water is free of chemicals like chlorine, which is commonly used to disinfect drinking water. This can be beneficial, as it won’t have any associated chemical tastes or odors. However, well water is also usually hard water (water with a high mineral content).
As water travels through underground rock formations, it picks up things like calcium and magnesium. While these minerals are not harmful to your health, they can cause issues like:
- Scale buildup on plumbing fixtures, in pipes, and in appliances like your water heater or dishwasher
- Soap scum on dishes and shower doors
- White spots on dishes from mineral buildup
- Pipe clogs
- Stiff, worn laundry
- Dry skin and hair after showering or bathing
- Higher soap and detergent use
Pure Water Works offers high-efficiency, top-quality water softeners to mitigate these effects. Our systems reduce hardness levels, protecting your home and ensuring your water stays soft.
Well Water Should Be Tested Once a Year
Regular well water maintenance is essential to ensure your water remains clean and potable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing well water at least once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants.
Additionally, if you notice changes in the taste, smell, or appearance of your water, set up testing right away. Wells are affected by surface water, underground contamination, agricultural activities, and environmental factors.
Recent flooding could cause fertilizer contamination from nearby farmland. Septic tanks that leak or overflow could cause groundwater pollution. These, and other potential sources of contamination, are why it’s important to regularly check the water quality of your private well.
Pure Water Works performs comprehensive water testing to ensure reliable quality assessments. From your results, our experts will recommend custom solutions. Our treatment systems are designed to address specific contaminants, delivering cleaner, better water to your entire home.
Reliable Well Water Solutions From Pure Water Works
Since 1975, we’ve been helping Michigan homeowners manage well water pros and cons. Enjoying the benefits of well water starts with understanding how well water works and how to care for it.
To ensure your water is drinkable and that common contamination issues are addressed, it’s important to test annually. At Pure Water Works, we specialize in water testing and treatment, backed by decades of expertise and patented technology.
Moving to a home with well water can come with unique challenges, but with our support, you can enjoy fresh, clean water right from your tap. Whether you’re dealing with odors, discoloration, or potential contaminants, our team is here to help!
Contact us to learn more about how we can improve your well water quality. Trust our water experts for proven solutions and exceptional customer service. We even offer annual system maintenance to protect your water treatment equipment, so you can always rest assured that your water source is clean and clear.