If I have a well on my property, should I use it?

Question

I have an old well that the former property owner used to use for watering his garden. How can I make sure it is safe for drinking?

Answer 1

yes if it is over 25 foot deep - jump in it head 1st.

Answer 2

Our local health dept. will test water samples for a small fee.

Answer 3

Have it tested.  If it is clean use it.  It may be cleaner then other water you get from the town.  You can also get a water purifier.

Answer 4

If it is a shallow well then it is not good for drinking.

If it is a deep well, then it should be OK, but have the water tested first.

Answer 5

Before considering this water for drinking, you need to know:

1) Are there any reported groundwater cleanup sites for which my address is considered "Locality of Facility?"

2) What is the distance to the nearest industrial and commercial site, and is their groundwater flowing towards me? (This includes gas stations, dry cleaners, and other business that use solvents)

3) Am I in an area with naturally elevated levels of toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chrome, lead, etc.

All of the above situations can create water quality that is considered harmful to human health long before you can "detect" it by taste, smell, or sight.

Additional tests should be performed to confirm that your water is safe for anything but irrigation. These two exposure pathways have very different categories for human health risk.

I would also suggest that if you are planning to use this well for drinking, that you make sure it is registered as a domestic drinking water supply well with your state water resources or environmental department. You would want to know the depth of completion, year completed, construction, and any other information you may have. This ensures that any beneficial use survey conducted in the future flags your well so they will let you know about new potential risks.

I don't know what jurisdiction you live in, but some states have an online database to help identify cleanups near your area. You may be able to contact your state environmental regulators to inquire about nearby sites that could be in the Phase 1 or Phase 2 stage, prior to reporting.

In addition to the above, I would add 5 micron filtration and a double chamber activated carbon filter to ensure you are protected. This will filter out microbes that can ruin your brew and carcinogenic organics/metals that may impact your health. Make sure you rotate the carbon filters as required, or they will do no good.

Answer 6

We have been using wells and rainwater resevoirs for many years :)  Some of the best tasting water in the world!!!  The only thing you have to do is contact your local Health Department, and they will come out and test it for free.  In about a week from their tests, you will receive a report in the mail telling you every detail about what is in your water, and what you can do to fix the problem :)

Good luck, and hope you can use it:)  What a wonderful way to go green!!!

Answer 7

ALL groundwater must be treated to be deemed safe to drink, as viruses can make it through the ground, and are common in groundwater. If the well is connected to local surface water sources, it will also be contaminated with bacteria and protozoa. A geological survey will be needed to determine this. Either way, it will need to be treated to some extent to make sure you don't get sick. Not sure where you're from but here is a regulation you can look at:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/en...

Answer 8

You should contact your local health department to see if they have special water collecting bottles that you can put a sample of water from your well in.  They can send it to a laboratory to check for microbes to see if it is drinkable.  If it has some microbes, depending on what kind, you might be able to treat your well with something to make it drinkable.  I have a good well that needs a bit of chlorine put in it once in a while.  Good Luck!

Answer 9

The well water is most likely good for drinking.  You could have it tested.  Most places that sell water softners do that kind of testing.

Answer 10

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