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How Often Should You Get Well Water Tested?

everlastingwells

The incidence of contaminated well water is alarming; hence, your well water should be tested to conform to the standard water quality for use and consumption. Well water is vulnerable to pollution from bacteria, chemicals, metals, etc. Testing lets you know whether your water is problematic and if it needs adjusting and correcting so the water is safe. But should testing be done as often as possible? Here is a general schedule of how frequently wells and well water should be tested.


Annual Testing


Many professionals advise that well water you be tested and checked at least annually. Testing every year can help determine whether there are any changes in the quality of water and it can help you identify new contaminants or pollution before they are rampant.



Some reasons to test annually include:


- Bacteria Level Changes: Coliform bacteria can enter well water after floods or heavy rainfall. EPA uses annual tests to ensure water levels are within the legal limits to support safe water.


- Sources of pollution close by: Pollutants can seep into groundwater if there are changes to the surrounding land uses, such as in new construction.


- Water Use Changes: Annual testing also assures good water quality if you change your well or the amount of water you take from it significantly throughout the year.


When to Test More Frequently


Sometimes, testing well water may not be adequate if done only once per year. More frequent testing every three to six months is wise if:


- Coliform bacteria, which may sometimes feature in annual tests, point to a continued infiltration problem, which may best be checked every few months.


- Shallow wells, old wells, or wells with known cracks in the casing can allow contamination to infiltrate easily. These should be tested every six months.


- Nearby pollution events have occurred. If your well is close to where there is a gas spill, flood, fire, or other such pollution events, test immediately, and then follow up within three months to test further, and then every three months after that for the next year.


- You have had changes in family health. If many family members experience constant stomach problems such as digestive issues, test for bacteria every three months.


- Well water is used in real estate transactions. It is recommended that the buyers and sellers test the well water at the time of sale since the quality will change over a certain period.


When Not Needed as Frequently


Annual sampling will probably be sufficient for most drilled wells that are sited, constructed, and managed adequately. It is also good to do complete comprehensive testing periodically, at least once every few years, to ensure that no new pollutants or heavy metals emerge even if oliform bacteria test results are negative. Moreover, if water quality and use are not changing year after year with a sealed well, then testing every two to three years is recommended, as long as no problems are observed.



What to Test For


Typical water tests check for:


- TC & E. coli bacteria are the indicator of surface pollution, animal waste pollution, or septic pollution.


- Nitrates / Nitrites – From fertilizer rinse water or seepage of organic waste, this can lead to an acute disease known as blue baby syndrome among babies and other illnesses.


- Gases – Some acidic, flammable, and toxic heavy metals include arsenic, lead, mercury, and copper.


- Chemicals – Pesticides/Herbicides –Flowing from agriculture.


- Chlorides, hardness minerals – this can indicate the well is declining in the condition.


- An annual basic coliform bacteria test controls most common problems regularly. Test for organic and inorganic impurities, micro and major. Every few years investigate all pollutants including metals. When problems exist, specific testing can look for the anticipated contaminant.


Closing Summary


By having your well water samples analyzed at least once per year, you can prevent or at least minimize using water that has health concerns. At-risk wells, which have failed more than once; or wells that have had recent well-reported contamination in the vicinity, test at least every three to six months. General bacterial counts and metals and pollutants should be done occasionally at an interval of every few years. Here then are the recommended well testing frequency practices that will help ensure your well water is always clean, safe, and pleasant tasting.

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