When you rely on your own residential water system to supply your family with fresh water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning, you’re responsible for monitoring water quality. To help you stay safe, here is some information about water well contamination in the state.

How Do Water Wells Become Contaminated?

Water wells can be affected anytime chemicals, heavy metals, salts, or other potentially toxic substances enter groundwater supplies. The level of toxicity depends on the concentration of the material, which can vary from day to day or year to year. Each person can also be impacted differently by water well contamination, with infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly typically more at risk.

Residential water systems can also become contaminated when nearby factories or farms dump waste into the soil or local water supplies. Even with proper disposal of hazardous products, including pesticides and fertilizers, rain and snow could carry the pollutants to new areas, where they can leach into the soil. 

What Are Some Common Water Contaminants in AK?

In Alaska, the most common pollutants include petroleum, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), solvents, and metals.

Petroleum can penetrate the soil because of damaged storage tanks, transportation spills, and pipe leaks. PCBs, which were once common in hydraulic liquids and caulking materials, can be found in old buildings and landfills. Solvents are commonly found in degreasers and paint strippers, and heavy metals are present in batteries, gasoline, and paint. Road salt can also be problematic, especially during the spring’s thawing period. 

To prevent ground contamination and protect residential water systems, dispose of chemicals and hazardous products safely. Never toss paint or industrial products in regular trash receptacles. Always take car batteries to proper disposal facilities. Don’t store chemicals near water wells. 

If you are concerned about the quality of your residential water system, turn to Anchorage Well & Pump Service, Inc. for help. For more than 40 years, they have been helping Alaskans improve their water quality through careful testing, water treatment, and well system repair. If a water test detects contamination, they’ll provide well chlorination, acidizing, or jetting services to eliminate it. Visit their website to learn more about their work, or call (907) 243-0740 to schedule an appointment.