How To Keep Your Water Well System Safe (NAPSA)—Ground water is a plentiful source of drinking water. More than 45 percent of Americans wel is P; rely on ground water from wells for their drinking water supply. When you owna well, it is your responsibility to make sure the water is safe. Routine mainte- nance can help eliminate water quality problems and prolong the life of your water well system. Following are some other basic steps from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA)to help keep your water well system safe. Is Your Water Well System Clean? A common mistake by home- ownersis to test their well water gs y - | .\ — wT \S \Ae ‘em = — Uf ME Fresh clean water can be easy to without first making sure the enjoy out of your own well. water from a dirty well can lead to false positives—the appearance of More frequently than once a year if there is a change in the as certain types of bacteria. tamination source. Water Well System Treatment Should any contaminants water well system is clean. Testing contamination even when the ground wateris clean. A dirty well can also harbor contaminants such A qualified water well system contractor can determine if your water well system needscleaning. Cleaning Your Water Well System A common misconception of homeownersis that chlorine alone will clean a well—the more, the better. However, chlorine is an effective disinfectant only after debris and other solid material are removed from the well. A qual- ified water well system contractor is equipped to properly clean your water well system. Testing Your Well Water NGWA recommends well owners test the water: e At least annually for bacteria, nitrates/nitrites and any cont- aminants of local concern. taste, odor or appearance of the water, or if a problem occurs such as a broken well cap or a new con- above levels of health concern remain after proper cleaning and disinfection of the water well system, it does not mean you cannot use your ground water. A water treatment device may resolve any water quality issues. A qualified professional water well system contractor can advise you on how to proceed. When considering a water treatment device, make sureits specifications match up to the substances and concentrations you wish to treat. Learn More To read an article called “Eight Tips for Maintaining Your Well,” visit www.wellowner.org.
