Secure Your Domestic Water Supply
Maintaining the safety and quality of your drinking water well is crucial for the health of you and your family. Here are some important steps to ensure your well is in good condition and free from contaminants.
Firstly, it's essential to periodically inspect exposed parts of the well for any signs of damage or problems such as cracked, corroded, or damaged well casing, broken or missing well cap, settling and cracking of surface seals. Regular inspections help prevent potential issues from escalating.
When it comes to the maintenance of your well, avoid mixing or using pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, degreasers, fuels, and other pollutants near the well. These substances can contaminate your water supply, posing a risk to your health.
If you live in an area where facilities that may pollute your drinking water exist or are proposed, it's crucial to stay informed. Find out about these facilities and their potential impact on your water supply.
After a flood or natural disaster, it's important to pump the well until the water runs clear to rid the well of flood water. If the water does not run clear, seek advice from the county or state health department or extension service. If you suspect other contaminants, test for those as well.
Ground water under direct influence of surface water is susceptible to contamination from activities on the surface. To prevent this, slope the area around the well to drain surface runoff away from the well.
Before turning on the pump, it's advisable to get assistance from a well or pump contractor to clean and disinfect your well. This will help ensure the water is safe to drink.
If you suspect your drinking water well may be contaminated, contact local or state health department or environmental agency for advice on inspecting and testing your well. They can provide you with specific steps to follow.
In Germany, the responsible authorities for examining and monitoring groundwater contamination in a specific area are primarily the water authorities at the state level (Landeswasserbehörden). These authorities oversee water protection areas (Wasserschutzgebiete) and enforce related laws, including sampling and inspections. They conduct regular and event-driven controls and can impose sanctions if contamination is detected.
Regular testing is key to maintaining the safety of your drinking water well. Test more frequently if small children, elderly adults, pregnant or nursing individuals live in the house. Test immediately if there are known problems with ground water, changes near the well, replacement of well system parts, or noticeable changes in water quality.
Test your well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. Use only laboratories certified for drinking water testing. If test results show substance concentrations exceeding national primary or secondary drinking water standards, contact public health department website for specific steps to follow.
Protect your water supply by carefully managing activities near the water source. Regularly check the integrity of any above ground and underground storage tanks that hold home heating oil, diesel, or gasoline on your property. Keep accurate records of well maintenance that may require the use of chemicals in the well.
The EPA provides more specific steps for well owners to follow in its guide "What to do After the Flood". The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also has a website dedicated to preparing, responding to, and surviving natural disasters and severe weather. Helpful CDC pages for well owners include: Disinfecting wells after a disaster, Dealing with flood water safely, and Information on other types of emergencies.
When constructing, modifying, or abandoning a well, hire a certified well driller. If nearby activities or conditions such as agriculture, mining, gas drilling, waste sites, and fuel stations pose a risk to your water supply, test for specific substances.
Attend hearings, planning meetings, or zoning appeals to ensure drinking water will be protected during construction and operation of a facility. Make sure the project has plans for managing storm water and any wastewater it might produce. Check with local health department or environmental agency to ensure activities and industry on or near your property are set a safe distance from your well.
Never dispose of wastes in dry wells or in abandoned wells. Keep hazardous chemicals out of septic systems. Consult local experts to find out the physical and chemical properties of the groundwater and the presence of any potential drinking water contaminants.
By following these steps, you can ensure the safety and quality of your drinking water well, protecting the health of you and your family.
