A home in a peaceful remote area is a dream come true for many people.
But if you own a house in a rural area's thinking of a move, you may be in for a few surprises.
One of the major differences between country and city living is where you get your tap water.
In most rural homes you'll depend upon a private well instead of water treated and supplied by a municipality.
Well water may seem, taste, and smell very different from city tap water - and you may experience some adverse effect on housecleaning, bathing, and laundry if you don't treat it correctly.
There are over 15 million homes relying on well water in America. Usually, well water is healthy to consume and safe to use for cleaning.
That said, there are some considerations to take into account to ensure your family has clean, soft water in your country home. Well water usually required specific kinds of filtering and softening to ensure it is OK for cleaning, cooking and drinking.
Here are the things you need to know.
1. Well Water Comes Right from the Ground
Well water comes directly out of the ground without undergoing treatment.
Well drillers dig deep into a local aquifer, and a small electric pump system carries the water up and into your dwelling.
It isn't hard to find drinkable groundwater.
However, because groundwater is rain which has moved into an aquifer through the soil, it can absorb a whole lot of things before being pumped back up.
There is often a lot more than pure H2O in your fresh spring water.
2. Well Water is Often Hard
Because water is a solvent, groundwater dissolves organic matter such as minerals found in rocks and the soil below the surface of the Earth.
In this way, well water becomes hard due to the minerals dissolved in it - especially magnesium and calcium.
A house with a private well will usually need a water softener unless you reside in a region where those minerals are deficient.
If you buy an existing home, chances are it already has a water softener installed. That said, the treatment system may have to be upgraded to supply enough fresh water for your family's needs.
Look for signs that your water softener has to be replaced, or think about using a water quality evaluation that is free to discover how to fix issues with hard water coming from well.
You can find out about how water softeners work on our website.
3. Well Water Can Cause Staining and Smells
You might notice stains and in sinks, bathtubs, and toilets when shifting to some old farmhouse or house with a well.
Some of these stains may be due to hard water; however, the most challenging stains are due to high iron content present in hard water.
Iron is not a health concern, but it can be a nuisance, causing difficult stains of orange color and changing the taste of your water. The only method to eliminate them is to set up iron filtration systems when there are tips and techniques for removing iron stains.
Many water companies are offering a great range of water treatment systems including water purifiers, water filtration system and water softening system that oxidize iron so that it can be removed from your fresh water. This water treatment equipment may filter sulfur, which is another excellent water issue out. Sulfur usually changes the odor of the water and smells like rotten eggs.
Sometimes, particular water treatment media, such as Crystal-Right™, may be used to reduce sulfur odor and to remove iron. Water cans soften reducing the amount of treatment equipment systems. You'll require a water treatment specialist to +. There are many reasons why your water smells that the technician will find out.
4. Well Water Can Become Contaminated
The most frequent problem with well water is mainly aesthetics. However, there may be some more severe issues. It's undoubtedly possible for wells to become polluted while groundwater is vulnerable to contamination than surface water.
Naturally occurring contaminants include elements like arsenic, and uranium, radon, which can be melted in groundwater as it flows through rock and soil. These compounds are found at various levels in various regions of America. Your water treatment specialist can help you understand risks specific to your part of the country.
Pollution from agricultural overflow is among the challenging and most common health and safety problems. Pollution can also due tanks located close to a public well that is too contaminated. Among the major concerns, nitrate contamination is a big one. Nitrates pose a health risk to children and pregnant mothers at an extremely high level.
The EPA has more about their effect and water contaminants.
The best way to find peace of mind about possible well water contaminants would be to get reverse osmosis (R.O.) drinking water system installed in your residence. An R.O. process is a particular kind of water filter which significantly reduces trace elements, heavy metals, and bacteria, making great-tasting water for cooking and drinking -- directly from the kitchen sink!
You can discover more about the benefits of reverse osmosis water and the way an R.O. system operates on the internet or by reading our blog.
5. Well Water Has to Be Tested Once a Year
Water's quality is continually changing, and the best way is to keep your family safe and healthy is by getting your well tested on time. Although the authorities don't require it, take care of the health of your family.
The EPA recommends testing the well water at least once a year for E. coli and coliform bacteria at the absolute minimum. You also need to check your water for radon and arsenic, minerals like iron, manganese, nitrate levels, and some other volatile organic compounds to make sure your home's water is safe to drink.
If you find a change in water quality, (appearance, odor, flavor, etc.), it is a fantastic idea to have your well tested, even though it has not been a year since the previous test.
There are at-home tests you can perform and may buy a home-test kit. It's important to read what the package is testing for -- not all tests are equal when you go this route.
Find a suitable water treatment company that is accredited. The technician will come and collect your freshwater samples and send them to the laboratory for testing and provide you. When a certified lab examines your water, you have the peace of mind that your water is free from any toxic chemicals and safe to use. You will also have the convenience and assurance to analyze the results.
Purchasing a Home With a Well
Knowing regional water issues can help you take practical measure towards protecting your fresh water. Find out water problems and if there are any contamination concerns because of runoff from nearby industrial waste or agriculture.
Learn about the history, condition, and capacity of the well by requesting the owner before moving into a home with a well. This test can allow you to identify what needs to be done to the well before, how much it water it can store, and what the flow rate is to see whether it is going to meet the needs of your household. It's also a great idea to ask what the seller of the home is doing to take care of the water.
Research about indications of problems with wells and continue to gain knowledge on this issue.
Groundwater quality is different and keeps changing frequently. You may face different water issues than your neighbor residing on the same street.
If you are having a dream for owning a home away from the hustle and bustle of city life, you shouldn't be discouraged by having a well. You only need the perfect partner that will help you make sure the water quality of that your home is ideal for the needs of your family.
You need to find a suitable water treatment company that not only help to test the quality of well water but also guides you to choose the best water softening system for your home.
It is important to note that whether you are living in a rural or urban area, it is always good to test the quality of water. No matter if you are getting water from a well or a public supply, it is vital to take a water quality analysis from a recognized water company for the well-being of you and your loved ones.
