A great deal of our drinking water is extracted from underground wells, but in this article, we’d be answering the question “how does well water become polluted“.
How are you able to drink with it, after all?
However, we know groundwater and surface water can be sources of pollution when they come in contact with wastewater and other harmful substances.
This causes toxins, waste, and other harmful substances to enter the ground or surface waters.
Well water can also become contaminated with bacteria or viruses if it doesn’t have adequate treatment.
Your curiosity about “how does well water gets contaminated?” will be answered in this article.
Can Well Water Be Contaminated?
Absolutely! It’s important to know how to identify if your well water is contaminated, so you can take proper precautions.
The most common ways that well water can become contaminated are by exposure to sewage or human waste, or exposure to lead or other metals.
You might also think that it’s enough to just check the pH of your water, but this isn’t always enough.
If you have an iron or manganese problem in your home, for example, then you should be checking for these elements as well.
Water is a precious resource and can be contaminated in a variety of ways.
The first thing to consider is how you get your water.
If you get your water from a well, there are two major components: the water coming up from the ground and the water going down into the ground.
The former is usually safe, but it does need to be treated with chemicals before it can be used for drinking or cooking.
The latter is where most of the contamination happens.
Note: Water pollution is a serious issue that can result in illness and death.
What Is The Most Common Contamination In Well Water?
Water is a precious resource, and it’s important to protect it.
But you might be surprised to learn that contamination of well water is actually one of the most common issues affecting people all over the world.
Sometimes, it’s because we use our well water for things like watering our lawns or washing our cars.
Other times, it’s because we don’t know how to treat our water properly.
And sometimes, it’s because it’s simply not safe for us to drink (you don’t want to accidentally ingest dangerous chemicals).
Note: The most common cause of water pollution is due to inadequate wastewater treatment facilities.
Whatever your reasons are, there are ways to keep your well water safe.
Here are some of the most common contaminants in well water:
Item #1: Turbidity
This refers to how cloudy your water is. If your well water is turbid, it means particles are floating around in it that could be harmful.
This is factual if ingested by someone who drinks from the same source regularly (like a family member or pet).
Turbidity can also cause an unpleasant taste in your water.
Item #2: Sediment
Another cause of this is sediment. In fact, it’s so common that it’s the second most common source of contamination!
That’s right: bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms are also a problem for your well water.
So what causes this?
Well, one cause is when you use too much chlorine or you don’t treat the water properly after you’ve used chlorine to clear it (which has been known to happen).
Tip: Another cause of contaminants in well water can be corrosion by iron and manganese in the pipe itself.
How Does Well Water Become Polluted?
Well water is one of the most important sources of drinking water for us.
It is used by millions of people across the globe, and there are many ways that it can be polluted. Well contamination can occur through a variety of means.
For example, if a water treatment facility has not been properly maintained or if there are leaks in their pipes, contaminants can enter the well and contaminate it.
Well contamination can also occur when the sewage is dumped into wells, which can make them unusable for drinking water purposes.
Wells have to be properly cleaned at regular intervals to ensure that they are free from any harmful bacteria or other contaminants.
To prevent this from happening, it’s important to have a closed system in place for your well.
This means that there should be no connection between the ground level and the surface of the water table.
Note: Having a closed system in place will enable one to be able to prevent any contamination from septic tanks or other sources of pollution.
Ways Well Water Could Be Contaminated
There are four main ways to contaminate well water:
Rainwater Tanks
Firstly, water from rainwater tanks or cisterns that have been leaking for some time (especially if they’re made out of metal).
Rainwater tanks can leach lead into your well, while cisterns can trap sediment and other contaminants as they fill up with water.
Nearby Landfills
Secondly, water that’s been contaminated by nearby landfills, gas stations, or factories (with pathogens like E-coli).
This type of contamination isn’t common but it’s important to know about it because lead pipes tend not to work well with this kind of contamination either.
Streams
Thirdly, contaminated groundwater from nearby streams or lakes (like algae blooms).
This kind of contamination might not cause any.
Signs A Well Water Is Contaminated
Water is a precious, life-giving resource.
It’s important to be sure that the water you drink is safe, and that you know how to protect yourself from the potential dangers of drinking tainted water.
Here are some signs that your well water may be contaminated.
Sign #1: A Foul Smell
A foul smell at the beginning of the year that won’t go away.
It may be because of the calcium carbonate buildup on the inside of your pipes, or it could be something else.
Sign #2: Low Chlorine Level
Low chlorine levels (0 to 0.5 ppm).
This means that bacteria and algae have been able to grow in your water supply, and they’re using up all the oxygen as they grow.
You’ll need to get new filters or have your pipes cleaned out if this is happening in your home.
Sign #3: High Iron Level
High iron levels (more than 1 ppm) can indicate a problem with iron bacteria or nitrates in the water supply.
These can get into our bodies through drinking or washing dishes with tap water.
Then they can cause problems like stomach aches or infections when we swallow them!
How To Treat Contaminated Well Water
Getting your well water tested is a great way to find out whether or not it’s contaminated.
If you have a well that has been drawing water from a contaminated area, like an old mine, or toxic waste dump, you should consider having your water tested.
To treat contaminated well water, you need to first identify the cause of the problem.
Once you know what’s causing the problem, then you can decide what treatment method is best for your situation.
Here are some things you can do to treat your water at home:
Option #1: Install A Filter
Install a filter on your faucet to remove contaminants from the water before it goes down into the ground and enters your well system.
This will reduce the risk of contamination in the first place.
Option #2: Install An Aerator
If your well is located in an area with heavy metal contamination like lead or arsenic, install an aerator that will break up sediments in the water so they can be removed by gravity rather than siphoned away by pumps or filters.
Option #3: Employ A Professional
If you are unsure if there is any contamination present in your well, or if it’s not clear why there might be an issue, contact qualified professionals.
They will analyze your water and tell you what steps need to be taken next so that all sources of contamination are eliminated from your system.
How Does One Prevent Well Water Contamination?
One of the most common causes of water contamination is well water.
Most wells are dug into the ground, and as a result, they can become contaminated with bacteria and other organic matter from the ground.
Method #1: Use Of Filter
The easiest way to prevent this from happening is by using a filter on your faucet.
This will catch any particles that may be in your water before they get into your home or business.
If you’re concerned about possible contaminants in your well water, there are several things you can do to make sure it’s safe for consumption.
First, make sure you have a qualified technician inspect your well regularly (at least once a year).
Method #2: Ultraviolet Light Installation
Secondly, consider installing an ultraviolet light to kill any bacteria that may have gotten into the water supply earlier than expected.
Finally, test your well regularly so that if there are any problems they can be detected quickly.
Method #3: Use Of Filtration System
Another way to prevent well water contamination is by installing a filtration system.
These systems can help remove heavy metals and other toxins from your well water before they reach the water supply.
Note: Preventing well water contamination can help you avoid health issues like skin rashes and hair loss.
Conclusion
The reason why well water becomes polluted is that it’s vulnerable to the same pollutants that affect surface water.
Sewage and other contaminants from farms, animal pens, and even septic systems can pollute the groundwater we rely on for drinking and washing.
If you live in an area where there isn’t a public water supply available, you should consider investing in a home filtration system.
Filters will remove bacteria, sediment, and chemicals from your supply, so you know that what’s coming out of your tap is safe to drink.