Why Should I Test My Well Water?

Too many homeowners ask, “Why should I test my well water?” instead of looking at common water problems. If they did, they’d realize many serious water quality problems don’t cause sludge or smells. They’re virtually undetectable without a microscope, and wells in Northern Georgia are especially at risk.

Easily Contaminated Compared to Wells in the South

According to Georgia Health News, there are two types of wells found in Georgia: bored and drilled. Bored used to be the only option. Using rudimentary equipment, families would dig a hole 10 to 30 feet deep and tap into local groundwater supplies. Thankfully, these aren’t as popular as in the past. Today’s drilled wells typically go 100 to 400 feet into the ground, searching for aquifers found below the bedrock.

Deep wells offer more protection from common sources of groundwater contamination. However, your water could be home to:

• Manure runoff
• Farming chemicals
• Industrial spills
• High levels of harmful naturally occurring minerals

Unfortunately, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, those deep aquifers are mainly found in Southern Georgia. Residents in the north of the state are more likely to rely on groundwater sources for drinking, cooking, bathing, and growing food.

How big of a problem is dirty water? A study by the University of Georgia found over 30 percent of sampled wells tested positive for contaminants. Nearly 20 percent contained E. coli, a bacterium capable of causing kidney failure and death. This is especially alarming because residents rarely test their water quality.

Clear Water Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe

People don’t have their water tested annually because their water seems okay. It looks clear, smells fine, and tastes like water usually does. However, these qualities can be misleading. Several common contaminants won’t impact them, but others are difficult to detect and easy to ignore over time.

People build up a resistance to high levels of:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Manganese
• Benzene
• Uranium
• Arsenic

What happens when visitors drink the water or friends eat food you’ve cooked in a contaminated supply?

Furthermore, you can’t base your judgment on whether water is safe on how pleasant it is to drink.

Consider the chemicals community utility works to add to water to prevent problems. These products can make water cloudy or add a nasty smell, even though they help protect against the most common dangers.

When Should You Test Your Water?

Ideally, you should check your water for contamination at least once a year. However, specific issues can increase the risk of water problems. So, it might be a good idea to order a test if your area has had:

• Heavy rains or storms
• Industrial or farm spill incidents
• Reported water contamination nearby

Certain types of contamination get serious fast. Others, like runoff containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), slowly build up in living tissue until they lead to severe conditions like cancer and organ failure.

Stop asking, “Why should I test my well water?” and schedule the service with Armor Plumbing today. It’s one of the best investments Georgia homeowners can make. For a small expense, you can help safeguard your family’s health.