According to the EPA, over 13 million homes in the U.S. rely on well water. The EPA does not regulate residential wells, which means that private well owners are responsible for their home water systems. Therefore, it is up to homeowners to ensure their water remains healthy at all times. In order to protect your well and maintain your water supply, regular maintenance and testing is key. Unfortunately, harmful contaminants and pollutants can leak into your supply at any time. This is why it’s so crucial to monitor your well water and keep up with the needs of your private well.
The experts at Hague Quality Water of Maryland work to ensure your well water is safe to drink, bathe in and cook with. We’ve been a leading provider of water solutions for decades, and we’re committed to providing our customers with customized treatment options. Below, we’ve provided a list of things you should know about well maintenance:
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Private Well Water Should Be Tested Regularly
At the very least, private wells should be tested on an annual basis. However, water testing once every six months will help you identify potential complications quickly. If you notice any sudden changes to your supply, contact your local water specialists right away. Are you unsure of what signs to be on the lookout for? Ask yourself the following questions to determine if testing should be done immediately:
- Are your pipes and fixtures getting clogged more and more often?
- Does your soap lather normally, or do your dishes, laundry, and skin feel dirty after washing?
- Does your water taste or smell strange?
- Are any of your family members ill, or experiencing gastrointestinal problems?
- Are there stains on your water fixtures?
- Has your water pressure decreased significantly?
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Take Care While Landscaping
When mowing your lawn, always steer clear of the area surrounding your well. When damage occurs to well casings, lawn mowers are usually to blame. It’s also important to prevent landscaping chemicals away from your well water. Check your well’s drainage system frequently and keep your well slightly above-ground to ensure it drains properly.
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Hazardous Materials Must Be Kept Away from the Well
Are you planning to renovate your outdoor space or complete an exterior painting project? While doing so, make sure to keep any hazardous materials away from your well. Think about it this way: if it’s something you wouldn’t want to drink, you don’t want it to come into contact with your well. Additionally, try not to use any pesticides or fertilizers that could leak into your water. The same goes for any car maintenance materials you use outdoors, such as motor oil or toxic cleaning liquids.
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Old Wells Need to Be Sealed Off
Most private wells last for about four decades. Once that period of time has passed, it’s important to contact a specialist who can seal the old well. When installing a new well, you don’t want any contaminants from old, unusable wells to reach your water supply.
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The Importance of Well Covers
Well covers safeguard the water you and your family rely on. Therefore, inspecting these covers regularly is essential. Make sure it’s sealed tightly and examine it closely for any signs of cracks, damage or unwanted removal. Always perform repairs or call a specialist right away if any damage is seen. If possible, it’s best to secure the covers via methods such as bolting or welding. However, checking your cap once in a while should be sufficient to ensure that it’s staying in place.
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Install Your Well Far Away from Your Septic Tank
This is something you want to keep in mind prior to installing a private well. Septic tanks and other agricultural waste receptacles should be kept at least 50 feet away from wells. The last thing you want is for these two storage units to intermingle. If your well has already been installed too close to a septic tank, contact a local drilling company. They should be able to advise you in regard to either fixing the issue or installing a new well.
Do You Need Maintenance for Your Well? Hague Quality Water of Maryland Can Help
Hague Quality Water of Maryland is an experienced provider of well water testing and maintenance. No matter what type of well pump you have, Hague can install, repair or maintain your system. For additional assistance, call Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.
