If you use a private well, it's your job to ensure your water is safe for use. This can be a huge responsibility, but it doesn't have to be scary. 

This guide discusses all you need to know about using a private well system, including maintenance tips.

How Well Water Works

Well water is groundwater that springs from a deep hole drilled into an aquifer. The aquifer is a layer of rock a few feet below the earth's surface, which contains water. Wells can be drilled to depths as low as 1,000 feet. After drilling, pipes are installed in the wells casing, and water is drawn up with a pump. 

While private well water is relatively safe, the EPA doesn't regulate it, so homeowners are responsible for the purity and safety of their water.

What to Check for in a Private Well

Buying a house with a private well might be challenging if you're inexperienced. If you're pivoting to the private well lifestyle, you'll need to know a few details first. Here are a few things to check for before settling for a private well:

The Type of Well

Wells are created in different ways: drilling, boring, and digging. Drilled wells is often the most reliable option because drilled wells are less prone to contamination. 

So, if you're inquiring about a house, find out the kind of well it has. It's also important to know when it was constructed to calculate how long the well will last. 

All Other Information About the Well

You'll need to gather as much information as possible about your well. This includes information like the date of the well's construction, the well's maintenance history, and the well's current condition. 

The company that drilled the well should have a well log containing information about the materials used, drilling methods, previous owners, and maintenance. If the house is connected to a shared well system, get a copy of the Shared Well Agreement and read it carefully to know how the arrangement works.

Well Inspection 

After collecting information about the history of the well, a well inspection should be your next step. Call a certified home inspector to check the home's plumbing, well structure, and septic system. The inspector will check things like the construction of the well, its components, capacity, depth, water quality, flow rate, and water yield. This inspection will help you decide how best to maintain the well, alert you about any dangers, and let you know if the well is functional. 

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Find Old Wells

Before you use the functional well, you'll have to search for any old ones on the property. Old wells could be a source of contamination in the aquifer. This is because if they have deteriorated, various rodents and bugs can get into them and contaminate the water. Seal any old wells found on the property to prevent such contamination.

Characteristics of Well Water 

If you're going to stay in a house with a well, know that well water is quite different from regular tap water. Here are some important characteristics of well water to note:

1. Well water is hard.

Well water passes through layers of rocks before collecting in a well. Because water is a solvent, this groundwater dissolves organic matter and minerals in the rocks as it flows over them. Some of these minerals are calcium and magnesium compounds, which make the well water hard. Hard water will give you a tough time if you're doing laundry or washing dishes with it. So, you'll most likely need to purchase a water softener to remove the hardness. Of course, the house may already have a water softener in place. In that case, you'll have to ensure the equipment is updated, in good condition, and effective. 

2. Well water can have an odor and cause staining.

Well water may cause staining to sinks, toilets, or fixtures. This staining may be a result of the hardness of the water, but it's mostly because well water has a high iron concentration. Iron present in water can be a considerable nuisance because it changes the taste of water and produces ugly yellow stains that are difficult to get rid of. 

The best solution to this problem is to get a special iron-removing filter that you can connect to your well. Such filters may also remove sulfur, which is responsible for the "rotten egg smell" you might perceive anytime you use the water. 

3. Well water is prone to contamination.

Although layers of rocks filter well water before it gets to the surface, its purity isn't guaranteed. It could still have microorganisms floating around in it. There's also a risk of it getting contaminated after drilling. 

Some of the ways it can get contaminated are:

• By dissolving naturally occurring chemicals like radon, arsenic, and uranium as it passes through rocks and soil
• Contamination from agricultural runoff
• Septic tanks located too close to the well

Occasionally, pollution may be a problem peculiar to the house's area. This is why it's advisable to research the water quality concerns specific to the part of the land you're moving to. That way, you can be adequately prepared to tackle any issue. 

Because of the risk of contamination, it's important to protect your health by getting a water filter for your well. However, if you can't afford it, you can opt for a simple filter pitcher to at least protect your drinking water. Before buying one, read online reviews, as they'll help you identify some of the best well water filter pitchers for the task. 

How to Maintain a Private Well

Here are a few things you should know about maintaining a well:

1. Test the well water once a year.

Well water quality isn't constant. Weather and environmental conditions can affect a well and its content. In addition, sediments can build up in a well over time, bacteria can grow, and toxic chemicals can contaminate the water. Annual tests will help you detect any problems that arise and enable you to resolve them early. 

2. Replace well pumps.

You should replace your well pump at least every ten years. This is to prevent any hazards arising from using an old pump. 

3. Take care of your well water filter.

Carry out regular maintenance on your water filter and softener. 

4. Get an experienced professional to handle your well.

Wells are delicate structures. Hiring an amateur puts your well at risk for serious damage. You should only hire an experienced professional to take care of your well. 

Whether you're setting up a septic system or you need maintenance on your well, you'll need to call a professional in your area to ensure everything is completed properly. For example, If you live in the New Jersey area, you can get professional septic care in NJ if you hire Atlantic Sitton Services.

Pros and Cons of Well Water

Well water has its advantages and disadvantages. We've listed some of them below:

Pros

• Fewer bills to pay: since your water is from a private source, you don't have to pay a monthly water bill.
• Homes can be self-reliant and provide an uninterrupted water supply, especially in a natural disaster.
• Wells provide water for homes too far from municipal sources. 
• Well water is usually rich in minerals. 
• Using well water means you know where your water is coming from and can be sure of its treatment methods.

Cons

• Getting water from a well requires electricity. So, your water source depends on electricity, and you might experience a shortage if there's a power outage. 
• It can be a heavy burden to be responsible for the well water quality and the well's maintenance.
• Well water isn't tested or treated by the EPA. It has a high risk of contamination, so you have to purify it yourself. 
• The unpleasant odor and staining of well water can be a nuisance.
• It's often expensive to maintain a well.

We can't possibly exhaust all the information about private wells. Still, we've included the basics in this article. Hopefully, this information can guide you to carefully choose, maintain and live in a house connected to a private well system! 

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