Well and Water Quality
What is a Well Flow and Water Quality Test?
You might be wondering what a well flow and water quality test is if you have never lived in a home with a well. Although most homes rely on city water, there are about 15 million households that are supplied by well water. Well water has several benefits, one being the cost benefits. Although you don't have to pay for water used on a well system, you do have to keep up on the maintenance and inspection of your well. Well flow and water quality testing are among some of the maintenance needed for a well system. Well flow and water quality tests determine if there is adequate water supply as well as if there are contaminants in your water supply.
Why Should I get a Well Flow and Water Quality Test?
Well flow and water quality testing is highly recommended by the EPA. Cities and townships are required to test the public water sources regularly but with private well systems you are responsible for the quality of your water. Well water comes directly from the ground and may come in contact with various contaminants. It is important to make sure your water is free from any bacteria, nitrates, iron, sulfide or other potential contaminants.
What Happens if Contaminants are Found in our Well?
If your home inspector uncovers contaminants during your water quality inspection there are several methods that might be recommended:
- Filtration Systems
- A water filtering device that removes impurities
- Water Softeners
- A water softener device removes hardness in water by using sodium or potassium ions to combat calcium and magnesium ions
- Distillation Systems
- Impure water is boiled and steam is collected and separated leaving solid contaminants behind
- Disinfection
- Chemical disinfectants might be used such as chlorine or physical disinfectants such as ultraviolet light or electronic radiation
What Happens if there is not Adequate Water Supply?
If there is not adequate water supply several methods might be implemented:
- Restrictor Valves
- Restrictor valves are places on valves in order to reduce the amount of water used
- Cistern
- A cistern is a storage tank of water buried and connected to the well, when your water supply runs dry it draws from the storage in the cistern
- Drilling another Well
- Drilling a new well can be costly and does not always guarantee a better water supply but it is more cost efficient and less complicated than deepening an existing well
What we offer
Well Flow Testing
During a well flow test, your inspector will run the water for a certain amount of time. This simulates a normal usage of water and will determine if your well is able to supply an adequate amount of water. A well flow test will determine if there is a problem with the flow or associated equipment such as the pump or storage tank.
Water Quality Testing
During a water quality test, water samples are drawn and sent to a certified laboratory for testing. You may test for a number of contaminants but the most recommended are chlorine, lead and coliform bacteria.