While over 280 million Americans use city water for all of their plumbing needs, over 13 million Americans use private wells instead for their drinking water. Unlike households that use city water, the Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate private wells and the water will not be tested unless you are doing it yourself. Bad well water can do damage to your plumbing, your health and your household. Are you letting your money go down the drain?

The Cost of Bad Well Water

Well water is often hard, which can increase the amount of money, soaps, cleaning products and personal care products that are used. Studies based upon the average family of 4 (with an average water hardness of 10 gpg) have found that, if your home has hard water, you end up spending:

• 75% more on cleaning products and personal care products like soap, detergent and lotion
• $500 more annually on replacing washable items that were worn or stained due to hardness like linens, towels and clothing
• $500 more annually on gas and electric use for water heating
• $120 more annually on plumbing and appliance repair, maintenance and replacement

Over the course of the year, that could add up to well over $1,000 for a single family. Even more concerning, research shows that hard water wears on appliances much more aggressively than softened water. You can lose between 30-50% of an appliance’s lifespan solely due to the hard water that it is using. The appliances that are most severely impacted are water heaters and dishwashers, but even your faucets and toilets can lose years of operation. If you had a hole in your gas tank that caused you to lose a certain amount of gas as a result, wouldn’t you repair it to avoid wasting money? The same situation can be applied to bad well water.

Well water can also have contamination. Bad well water can be subject to naturally-occurring contaminants and those that come due to human activities. Some of the most common things found in bad well water include:

• Microorganisms: These can include things like parasites, viruses and bacteria. Consuming them can cause infections and gastrointestinal illness.
• Nitrate and Nitrite: These two substances are found in human sewage, chemical fertilizers and animal waste. Groundwater movement and water run-off can deposit them in a private drinking supply. These are very dangerous and can lead to blue baby syndrome.
• Heavy Metals: These leach into drinking water from mining operations, petroleum refineries, household plumbing, electronics manufacturing, waste disposal and more. Surface water seepage and groundwater movement can lead heavy metals to your drinking supply. Bad well water that contains heavy metals can cause toxicity, liver damage, kidney damage, cancer and other serious consequences.
• Organic Chemicals: Chemicals like these are used in industrial work, agriculture and around your house. Paints, pesticides, inks, dyes, disinfectants and other products contain organic chemicals that can enter private wells. Consumption has serious health consequences including damage to your liver, kidneys, nervous system, circulatory system and reproductive system.
• Fluoride: While fluoride can help to prevent tooth decay and is often added to city water, consuming too much of it can lead to fluorosis. This condition causes painful and tender joints and bones. If your children consume too much, it can lead to dental fluorosis, which is pitting and discoloration of teeth.
• Radionuclides: Radioactive elements like radium and uranium are incredibly hazardous to human health, but they can be found in bad well water near coal mining, uranium mining or nuclear power operations.

Well Water Isn’t All Dangerous

While well water can be contaminated, hard or require filtration in order to be safe for consumption, there are many benefits of using safe, private wells. Your water will not be treated with harsh chemicals like chlorine before you ingest it like it would be in the city. The water, even after the cost of filtration is subtracted, is also typically less expensive than it would be if you lived in the city. It’s important to remember that there can be benefits of using a private well, and Hague Quality Water of Maryland can help to improve your well so that you never need to deal with bad well water.

How Can You Improve Bad Well Water?

Hague Quality Water of Maryland is here to help, whether you need to soften your water, filter your water or do both so that it is safe to consume. As a new offering and as a companion to our traditional in-home water test, we are offering a contact-free water test kit for only $200. This kit is mailed directly to you so that you can take samples and mail them to a state certified lab. You’ll receive the results directly and our team can work with you to determine the perfect solution for your situation. Water testing is a critical first step to determine exactly what steps should be taken.

For many of our customers with bad well water, the WaterMax® System is a great solution. Customizable and designed with precision, it can often reverse all of the well water problems you are experiencing. Our WaterMax® system even has a built in dirt and sediment filter that will provide clean water throughout your home. The system comes with a 25-year Manufacturer’s Limited warranty, so you can have peace of mind that your water will remain clean and healthy. You will never need to worry about the cost of bad well water again.

Make Your Bad Well Water Safe with Hague Quality Water of Maryland

If your family lives in Anne Arundel, Montgomery or Prince George’s County and you are concerned about the quality and contents of your water, we are here to help with your water improvement projects. Whether you need the Hague WaterMax® BEQ System or additional filtration beyond that, our team cares deeply about the health and safety of your family.  To purchase your kit today, click here. For additional assistance, call Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.