Gigantic cities have their water coming from water treatment facilities that go straight to your home’s pipes and finally come out from faucets and showers. But what if you’re not in a city and stuck in a rural area and finds a dug well?

You are thirsty and nothing is available except well water. Will you hesitate to drink?

Some communities rely on wells for survival. Wells provide a steady and adequate supply of water for domestic consumption, agriculture, and industry in many regions. People can’t exist and grow without groundwater in places where surface water is rare, such as deserts, and they utilize wells to access subsurface water.

If you are still hesitant to drink well water, even if you already use a water filter. Then this article will help you learn about wells and the water in them.

What is well water?

Well water refers to any water that comes from a groundwater source or aquifer. Wells can collect water that has seeped beneath the surface of the ground. Before becoming part of your property’s water table, seepage occurs through spaces in rock and minerals.

The water in a well hasn’t been treated. A pump brings water from the source to the surface once the well is drilled. The pump will then continue to draw groundwater into your home’s plumbing system.

What are the types of well water?

Dug wells.

One method of digging a well is to hack at the ground with a pick and shovel. Dug wells can function if the ground is soft and the water table is shallow.

To keep the well from collapsing, it was lined with stones, bricks, tile, or other material, and topped with wood, stone, or concrete cap. They can’t be excavated much deeper than the surface of the water.

Wells that have been dug or bored have a big diameter and expose a large region of the aquifer. These wells can extract water from less permeable materials, such as very fine sand, silt, or clay.

The shallowness and absence of continuous casing of this type of well make them susceptible to pollution from neighboring surface sources, and they can become dry during droughts if the water table descends below the well bottom.

Drilled wells. 

The majority of modern wells are drilled, which necessitates the use of a rather complex and expensive drill rig. Drill rigs are frequently transported on large trucks. They utilize rotary drill bits to gnaw away at the rock, percussion drill bits to crush the rock, or huge auger bits if the ground is soft.

Drilled wells can reach depths of over 1,000 feet. A pump is frequently installed at a certain depth in the well to force the water to the surface.

Driven wells.

Today, driven wells are still common. They’re made by burying a small-diameter pipe in soft soil like sand or gravel. To filter out sand and other particles, a screen is frequently added to the pipe’s bottom.

They can only tap shallow water, and because the source is so close to the surface, contamination from contaminants on the surface is a possibility.

What are the advantages of well water?

Well water has numerous advantages for your health, independence, and money. If you can dig a well, you will have the following advantages:

Well Water is free

You do not have to pay for the water that comes into your home after you have paid for the well installation. However, having a well isn’t free.

You must pay for the electricity used to power the well pump, as well as ongoing maintenance. You may also need to invest in a water filter or softening device, depending on the condition of the well’s water.

Well water is dependable

Companies can drill anywhere into a water table as long as the drilling equipment fits into space. As a result, you may be able to have your well close to your home.When you have well water, you don’t need to rely on anything other than the water pipes that travel from it to your house. As a result, there’s a lower likelihood of service interruption.

Well water is filtered naturally

Wells get their water from the earth and aren’t filtered to the same standards as city water. However, because well water filters naturally, this is not the case.

Well water is obtained from a natural source and does not require treatment. You can receive the same benefits without adding chemicals like chlorine or fluoride this way.

Is there any danger about well water?

Because well water comes directly from the ground, it is more prone to contamination. Remember that well water is simply rain that passes through the soil on your property and into the aquifer beneath the well.

There are six potential contaminants in well water according to EPA

 

• Fluoride. Fluoride can be found in aquifers and private wells. 
• Heavy metals. Arsenic, chromium, copper, and other heavy metals may be present in well water, in addition to lead.
• Microorganisms. Infections and diseases might result from consuming these germs.
• Nitrate. Private wells may be contaminated if your home is located or was once on land treated with chemical fertilizers or animal manure. Nitrate levels in the blood restrict the blood to carry less oxygen.
• Organic chemicals. Contamination of well water could result from improper disposal of household items such as disinfectants, paints, and sealants.
• Radionuclides. This contamination is commonly caused by coal mining, nuclear power, and uranium mining and milling. Consumption of this tainted water may enhance a person’s cancer risk.

What do you need to know if you have well water?

There are various things to consider if you’re new to owning a home with a well.

Here are a few more things to think about:

Well water is usually hard

It’s not unusual for groundwater to absorb or dissolve minerals from the soil. Hard water is defined as water that has an abundance of minerals such as calcium or magnesium.

Can smell or cause stains

Limescale is formed when hard water is used. However, if the well contains a lot of iron, the discoloration can be a pain. Iron in well water alters the taste and leaves unattractive orange stains on porcelain fixtures.

Can become contaminated

It’s not uncommon for well water to have pollutants like arsenic, radon, and uranium, which are naturally occurring components. These elements dissolve into groundwater as it passes through soil and rock.

Must be tested

If you notice any changes in the appearance, odor, or taste of your water, it’s time to do a test. You should test the water in the well at least once a year. It’s still necessary for you to take this precaution to assure the safety of the water you’re drinking.

Water filters that are best for wells

The pollutants in your drinking water can be removed, making it safe to consume. A water filter can remove pollutants from your well water. These water filters also improve the appearance, odor, and taste of your private well water.

Conclusions

Before determining how well water differs from city water, it’s important to understand what it is and where it originates from. While there are numerous advantages to having access to well water, you should also be aware of the risks.

Knowing what you need to know about owning a home with a well can also assist you in identifying potential difficulties.

Testing must take place beforehand. That way, you’ll know exactly what kind of water filter you want. It’s always a good idea to make sure the water you use in your home is safe and clean.