Last Updated on January 4, 2022 by TODD FRANZEN
If you’re new to well water, you might be wondering what the difference is between well and municipal. Both have their pros and cons, but well water tends to be different in a few key ways.
I grew up on a well. We typically had a bit of sediment and were relatively hard. That’s because my parent’s house was about seven miles from the top of the continental divide. Water on the east flowers to Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico. And water to the west goes to the Pacific. They call this area headwaters of the Colorado River.
There was a lot of gold mining around 1850 which unfortunately caused a fair amount of pollution. But they didn’t know that then. What we are learning today is well water has higher levels of heavy metals and elemental contaminants. For this fact alone, filtration was very important.
Read on to learn more about well water and why it’s becoming so popular in today’s world.
Why is a well different from Municaple?
Municipal water comes from reservoirs or lakes that are treated with chemicals like chlorine to make them safe for human consumption.
On the other hand, well water comes from an underground source. permeable rock underground. It’s important to remember that wells are not subject to the same regulations as municipal supply, so it’s essential to take precautions before drinking them. Wells can be contaminated with things like pesticides, heavy metals, and bacteria, so it’s always a good idea to have it tested before drinking it.
What are the pros and cons of a well?
One major pro of wells is that it’s typically more affordable than a municipal source. Although it has a higher upfront cost(boring a new well, excavation), municipalities charge a flat rate, but the rate for well water varies depending on where you live. Wells are also an excellent option for people who need larger quantities over time.
Well also don’t have the same type of treatment chemicals as tap water, so it’s a great alternative for those who want to stay away from fluoride and chlorine. But you need to know that regulations are in place if you have proximity access to the municipal supply. And because of this, having your own well will not be allowed.
This essentially comes down to water rights which is a whole another can of worms. This is a big issue in the western US!
The only downside is that because it comes from an underground source, it can be hard to find out what contaminants may be present in your drinking supply. Wells can also cause a slight sulfur odor when boiled which may make it hard to drink for those sensitive to the smell. This is why it needs to be tested.
How can well water be treated?
To treat well water, you’ll want to find a good filtering system along with a purifier of some sort. Filters and UV purifiers are made to be installed inline on a water source. Wells typically have higher levels of sediment than tap and can contain metallic elements that aren’t easily filtered out. So having the right stages of filters and purifiers connected will help with the safety of you and your family.
Sediment filters will remove the grit from the supply. And many systems can even filter out metals like iron and manganese. This type of filtration system is most ideal for those who rely on wells as their main source of drinking water.
If your property is on a well, the type of filtration you want to consider is a whole house treatment system. These types of systems have filters that attach to the mainline coming from the well. This type of system is great for those who need a lot of water day-to-day. Wells can have a metallic taste, so this will filter out major elements that contribute to the unpleasant taste.
Whole-house systems typically involve more than just sediment or carbon filtration options. But they do work well in tandem with these types of treatment methods. Well water treatment is an important process that can help to protect you and your family’s health and property investment.
I can’t stress this enough, well water needs to be tested to determine what type of filtration system will work best for your home.
What are the side effects of well water?
Well water may cause slight changes in taste or smell, but it also contains contaminants that may be harmful to your health. It can easily have levels of arsenic, lead, and hydrogen sulfide which are all potentially dangerous in high amounts.
Arsenic is a chemical that’s commonly found in well water because it’s a naturally occurring element on the Earth. These sources often have higher levels of arsenic than municipal so it’s a good idea to have your well tested for this dangerous chemical.
Arsenic exposure levels are measured in parts per billion (ppb). The United States EPA standards say that 10 ppb is the allowable limit for arsenic exposure. Wells typically has higher amounts of arsenic than tap water, but the average arsenic level is typically less than 10 ppb.
Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical that is also naturally occurring in wells. Well water can have higher levels of hydrogen sulfide because it’s exposed to air as the water flows through the ground. This causes sulfates and iron oxide to mix and release hydrogen sulfide gas. Generally, wells have lower amounts of hydrogen sulfide than tap water. But it still has a sulfur odor that can be irritating to some people.
Most people don’t understand that hydrogen sulfide is corrosive. and can prematurely age the concrete of your septic system!
Todd Franzen – NAWT Inspector
Lead is a metal that’s toxic in any amount and wells may contain higher levels of lead because the water flows through soils that are often contaminated with lead from old paint or other sources. Wells typically have lower amounts of lead than tap, but it still needs to be tested for this dangerous element. Well water treatment can help to remove lead and arsenic from your drinking supply.
A well might be your only option
Well water treatment isn’t just important for homeowners who rely on water as their main source of drinking; Wells are a great option for those who live in an area where there’s a larger need for a supply for their home.
Well water is an important part of healthy living and getting the right treatment system installed will help to ensure that your family stays safe and healthy.
Again, wells need to be tested to determine what type of filtration system will best meet your needs.
3 tips on how you can protect yourself and your family (filters, purification)
There are so many types of water filters that can filter out almost everything. And if you know what is in your water, creating a filter system can drastically prevent disease and illness.
Well’s may have higher levels of elements such as arsenic, lead, and hydrogen sulfide which are all potentially dangerous in high amounts. And that metallic taste might be because it contains higher levels of iron and manganese.
Once you have the results, you can run some simple calculations and figure out pressure and volume per minute. Then you can do the research to find out how you want your water treated.
Summed up
Well, water may be a great option for those who live in a more remote area where there are plenty of lands and need a supply of water. Well-treatment systems are critical for those who rely heavily on their well as the main source of drinking water. This is because it will protect them from potential health hazards.
Well water needs to be tested to determine what type of filtration system you need. So make sure that your next step is getting the results back with some simple calculations before starting the next step. Contracting a plumber to do the work or Do-It-Yourself if you are knowledgeable about plumbing.
If you want to know how best to treat your home’s well water, start here and begin getting answers today!