1. Well water comes directly from the ground
The water that comes from the well is untreated groundwater. Well-builders drill deep down to the aquifer, a permeable subterranean layer of rock that contains water. Thereafter, they install a system of pipes to bring the water from the ground into the house.
It is not that difficult to locate potable groundwater. However, since groundwater is actually rainwater that has moved from the ground into an aquifer, it can carry a few other elements. The water from a well has much more than water.
2. Most of the time, well water is hard water.
Water is a remarkable solvent, so groundwater can dissolve from organic matter like minerals in the soil to rocks below the earth’s surface. Minerals like calcium and magnesium harden well water.
Generally, a house that has a private well needs a water softener, except if it is located in a region where there are fewer such minerals. When building a house in the country that does not have access to municipal water, it is best to have a water softener installed. When buying an existing home, you can include a water softener. However, it is important to remember that this equipment may need to be upgraded to be effective and efficient in treating well water.
People should be aware of the signs that reveal the need to replace the water softener. If not, they should get a free water quality test for ways to address their well water problems. If you are not too familiar with water treatment equipment, you can learn about the way water softeners work with the help of the writer’s blog.
3. Well water can smell bad and cause stains
As people move into an old farmhouse, they may see some stains on fixtures, sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. Some of these may be lime scale caused by hard well water, but the worst stains are caused by a high iron content.
Although iron is not a cause for alarm, it can be quite annoying as it can affect the taste of the water and cause hard-to-remove orange stains. There are some tips for removing stains, but the most effective way to permanently remove them is to install a special iron filtration system.
There are cases where special means of water treatment are used to reduce the smell of sulfur coming from well water. Such material also has the ability to soften water, reducing the number of treatment equipment systems required for a home. Homeowners should enlist the help of a local water treatment expert to assess the situation and recommend the ideal solution.
4. Well water can harbor contaminants
Well water problems generally have something to do with aesthetics, however these can be more serious than just the way it smells and looks. Groundwater from private wells is less likely to be exposed to contamination compared to surface water; however, wells can also contain contaminants.
The elements arsenic, radon, and uranium are natural pollutants that dissolve in groundwater as it flows through rock and soil. These elements are present at various levels in different regions of the US A water treatment expert within the area can explain the particular risks in that part of the country.
