Residential wells provide homeowners with a reliable source of clean, fresh water. It’s important to test the water regularly to ensure its purity and safety for everyday use. How often you do this depends on a few factors. Here is what you need to know about this important element of water well maintenance.

Why Water Well Testing Is Important

It’s imperative to test your well water at least once a year to be sure that it’s free of E. coli and coliform bacteria, and every three years or so for pollutants such as lead and sodium. Although well water is naturally filtered as it travels through the soil into the aquifer before it arrives in your home, there is always the chance that runoff and other contaminants may find their way into the supply. Although changes to the taste, smell, or appearance of the water may occasionally alert you to a problem, you can’t always be certain that there is an issue. Testing for contamination is key to avoiding critical health issues that could affect house occupants, including pets.

Although annual testing is a standard recommendation, you should always test the supply if you notice a difference in the water’s quality, including a bad smell and unusual taste. You should also conduct a test if there was a recent flood, or if there is a new situation at home, such as a new baby, a pregnancy, or a new senior living on the property. 

What Water Well Tests Can Reveal

This type of water well maintenance tells the story behind the quality of your home’s water supply. Annual tests reveal if any E. coli is present, which could cause severe health issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You can also conduct more intuitive water well maintenance every three years or so determine if any other contaminants, like arsenic or nitrate, are present. These types of changes could cause serious health concerns, such as nerve damage, elevated blood pressure, and cancer risks.

You should also assess the water’s pH balance, hardness, and alkalinity at least once every three years. Problems in these areas can alert you to contact your well drilling service to repair issues that may be lingering in the well, such as damage to the casing.

Are you concerned about the quality of your water supply? Turn to the experts at Dansville Water Wells in Livingston County, NY. Offering decades of industry experience, these professionals conduct regular water well maintenance to ensure that your supply is clean and safe to use. Other water well services offered include new installations, as well as repairs and water well pump fixes. Visit them online for details about their services or call (585) 335-3356 to schedule an appointment.