Here are 12 of the most dangerous contaminants that are commonly found in America's water supply.
- Lead. Believe it or not, almost 33% of water systems in the US are known to contain lead service lines.
- Copper.
- Chlorine.
- Arsenic.
- Nitrate.
- Radioactive substances.
- Fluoride.
- Mercury.
USE OF WELL WATER DOUBLES CANCER RISK, STUDY SHOWS. The scientists found that people who drank well water had about twice the number of cancers of the breast, skin, stomach, kidney, bladder, colon, thyroid and prostate as people who drank uncontaminated municipal water.
Globally, contaminated water is a serious problem that can cause severe pain, disability and even death. Common global water-related diseases caused by parasites include Guinea worm, schistosomiasis, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis (Crypto), and giardiasis.
The most common way to become infected with giardia is after swallowing contaminated water. Giardia parasites are found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams worldwide, as well as in municipal water supplies, wells, cisterns, swimming pools, water parks and spas.
Most groundwater is dubbed safe, but people should have it tested periodically. Groundwater that fills wells can sometimes become contaminated, although the deeper the well, the less likely it is to be ridden with bad things. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 does not include private wells.
The Risks Associated With Drinking Contaminated Water
Rivers and lakes collect to form surface water while groundwater is pumped up to the surface by wells. Some common health problems associated with drinking contaminated water include: Gastrointestinal diseases. Infertility and other reproductive issues.Drilled or deep wells are generally less susceptible to sewage or surface-contamination sources than shallow wells are, but water from bedrock wells is more likely to contain gas or minerals than is water from shallow deposits.
Polluted well water can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The harmful contaminants in the water could lead to serious health issues. They include cancer, neurological problems, reproductive problems, and gastrointestinal illness says Dr. Gochfeld.
Also, if the smell is only in your hot water, you may just have bacteria in your water heater. Keep it over 140 and it'll kill the stuff in there too. A small amount of chlorine won't hurt a septic system, but a large amount (e.g. a gallon put in all at once) can kill the bacteria that you *do* want in that system.
Turn off the taps and leave the system alone for 12 hours so the chlorine has enough time to kill the bacteria. To remove the bleach, pump the well water out through a hose attached to a tap (inside or out, but away from the septic system) until you can't smell the chlorine anymore.
I personally shock my well once a year to keep the bacteria count to a minimum but I have tested wells that have been ten years without a shock treatment and still had no health concerns. None the less I recommend a yearly treatment. The goal is to kill all the bacteria that will make you sick.
4) Work out how much bleach will be needed: For every 50 gallons of water in the well use one quart of laundry bleach - (4 quarts in a gallon). Do not use excessive amounts of bleach - more is not more effective. 5) For best results the bleach should be combined with water before adding it to the well.
Ten Things You Can Do To Reduce Water Pollution
- DO NOT pour fat from cooking or any other type of fat, oil, or grease down the sink.
- DO NOT dispose of household chemicals or cleaning agents down the sink or toilet.
- DO NOT flush pills, liquid or powder medications or drugs down the toilet.
- Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket.
- Avoid using a garbage disposal.
Can bacteria in well water make you sick? yes, household well water that is contaminated likely holds coliform bacteria and E-coli. These microorganisms can be the cause of enteric diseases.
The Top Ten Things You Can Do To Protect Your Well
- 1 - Locate Your Well.
- 2 - Inspect the Wellhead.
- 4 - Conserve Water.
- 5 - Keep Surface Water Runoff Away From the Wellhead.
- 6 - Maintain a "No Pollution" Buffer Around the Wellhead.
- 7 - Protect the Soil From Contamination by Oil, Gasoline and Household Chemicals.
Keep in mind that doing laundry and taking a shower cannot be done for at least 24 hours with a chlorinated well. Waiting a few days to do these is a good idea. We recommend using unscented bleach for this process and using a chlorine test kit from your local supply store.
Drinking water used for brushing teeth should be of safe water quality (e.g. boil water for one minute, bring water from a safe source, or buy bottled water). Showering with water that is bacterially unsafe (total coliform positive, E. coli negative) has a far lower risk of illness than drinking this water.
Fecal coliforms and E. coli are usually harmless. However, a positive test may mean that feces and harmful germs have found their way into your water system. These harmful germs can cause diarrhea, dysentery, and hepatitis.
are a group of microorganisms commonly found in soil, surface water, and on plants. They are also present in the intestines of animals and humans. Coliform bacteria that are washed into the ground by rain are usually filtered out as the water goes through the soil and into groundwater systems.
Coliform bacteria are unlikely to cause illness. However, their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) could be in the water system. Most pathogens that can contaminate water supplies come from the feces of humans or animals.
If it appears that a bladder tank is not operating correctly, check the tank's air charge:
- Disconnect electrical power to the pump.
- Drain the tank by opening the closest faucet.
- Check the tank's pressure by placing an air pressure gauge on the air charging valve on the top of the tank.
Some of the most common indicators of a faulty well pump and pressure tank include:
- Fluctuations in water pressure throughout the home.
- Strange noises or rapid clicking sounds coming from the tank.
- Spitting faucets.
- Scalding shower water.
- High electric bills.
When a well “runs dry” it doesn't mean that the well will never produce water again. Aquifers can recharge through a combination of more precipitation and less pumps pulling water out of that aquifer. Sometimes wells can run dry permanently, but that is quite uncommon.
Cost to Replace Well Pump
The average cost to replace a well pump is $1,594, or between $931 and $2,394, according to more than 600 surveyed homeowners. Shallow pumps cost around $1,000 to install, while deep-well projects cost roughly $2,000. Most well pump units retail for between $100 and $1,200.Sputtering water.
If you turn on a sink faucet and water sputters (or spits out), it means there's air in the system. This usually comes from two sources: a malfunctioning pump, or a break or crack in the water pipe above the pump. To confidently diagnose and fix these problems, the well has to be pulled.If there's no water in the house but your stopcock is open and your neighbours are not experiencing any problems, take a look at your cold water cistern. The ball valve may be stuck, which will have caused the cistern to empty. The cold water cistern should fill up and your taps should start working again.
A common reason for low water pressure is because of plumbing pipes that are clogged with tons of sediment and minerals. This buildup will occur in homes that have hard water, which will damage plumbing and prevent a smooth flow of water.
Flip the breaker to the pump switch and check it with a voltage sniffer to make sure it's off. Then disconnect the wiring (Photo 1). Close the valve from the pressure tank to the house. Then drain the pressure tank.
