Water wells provide a clean source of drinking water for millions of Americans. Private wells are an economical way for individuals in rural communities to obtain their water. They don't receive the same testing or water purification treatments as the public water supply, making them vulnerable to contamination. Learn more about these pollutants in the following guide.

Water Well Pollutants

1. Iron & Rust

When high concentrations of iron build up in your well, it will eventually lead to rust, potentially making your water undrinkable. High levels of rust affect the taste of your water, and leave stains in your sinks, tubs, and even your laundry.

While rust is typically easy to identify, inexpensive water quality tests can measure the iron, pH, manganese, hardness levels in your water, and provide the expected ranges for comparison. Rust can be treated by adding a water softener to your well or installing a rust filter.

2. Volatile Organic Chemicals

Commonly used chemicals like solvents, including paint thinners, cleaners, and degreasers, and gasoline, fuel oils, and pesticides, typically find their way into private water supplies due to human activity, such as chemical spills or improper disposal.

In some cases, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) evaporate, while in others, they’re carried by rainwater and snowmelt to soak into the ground, where they reach groundwater supplies.

Studies show that long-term consumption of water contaminated with VOCs can result in a variety of health conditions, including kidney, liver, and nervous system damage. If your well becomes contaminated, water purification is critical to ensure the safety of your drinking water.

Nutritional Pollution (Nitrite) 

In rural and agricultural areas, farmers apply animal manure and chemical fertilizers to their fields to provide their crops with nitrogen and phosphorous.

While these compounds are beneficial for plant growth, rain and irrigation runoff can wash nutritional pollutants away from farm fields and into your water supply. Depending on the location of your well, you can control potential sources of contamination by relocating manure piles, or by installing concrete curbs to direct runoff from the road or nearby livestock.

Protect your water supply by contacting Hewitt-Messenger Well Drilling & Pump Service in Nixa, MO. For nearly 40 years, their knowledgeable team has provided reliable and affordable services, including water purification, UV disinfection, water softener installation, and residential water treatment for clients in Springfield, Republic, Rogersville, Ozark, and Branson. Call (417) 725-8816 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.