Tag Archives: issues with well water
Water Conservation
Water conservation plays an important role between balancing current and future water needs.
Most surface water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and streams are connected to ground water. So, whether your water supply comes from ground water or surface water, conservation matters. In the US, Americans use 79.6 billion gallons of ground water every day—the equivalent of 2,923 12-oz. cans for every man, woman, and child in the nation. Everyone can participate by being mindful of water use in their everyday household activities. Simple ways to conserve water:
Indoor Water Conservation
- Repair dripping faucets and toilets. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water a year.
- Only run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded, and use the “light wash” feature, if available, to use less water.
- Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering.
Outdoor Water Conservation:
- Avoid over watering your lawn. A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks.
- Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation of water
- Using mulch in lawns and garden can add a splash of color for landscaping designs while retaining moisture in the soil.
One of the best ways to save water and money is to make sure there are no current leaks to water pipes or water systems. Well owners especially need to make sure their water well system is working properly. Water wells are directly tapping into the groundwater supply and a poorly maintained well system can be a source of excessive water waste. The National Ground Water Association recommends that water well owners have their wells checked and tested by a certified and/or licensed contractor every year to ensure water safety.
It’s up to each of us to conserve Florida’s water. Let’s start today!
Groundwater Quality
A large percent of Florida depend on groundwater for their basic drinking water supply.
Understanding how groundwater quality affects every day usage can help ensure that your well is properly supplying water for your household.
The most common problem associated with groundwater may be hardness, generally associated with an abundance of calcium and/or magnesium dissolved in the water. Hard water has not been shown to cause health problems, but can be a nuisance as it may cause soap curds and deposits to form on pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Over time this can reduce the diameter of the pipes.
Other Groundwater Issues:
- A “rusty” or metallic taste in water is a result of iron, and sometimes manganese, in ground water. They not only create a bad taste, but they also can stain pipes and clothing.
- A “rotten egg” smell coming from your water indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. Along with creating an unpleasant odor and taste, sulfides cause corrosion to plumbing and darken water.
- Silica comes from the weathering of silicate minerals in the ground. It causes no harmful effects to humans, but large amounts can cause scaling in pipes that impacts water flow, and it can interfere with iron and manganese removal.
The National Ground Water Association recommends that water well owners have their wells checked and tested by a certified and/or licensed well contractor every year to ensure water safety. In between annual inspections, well owners should look for signs that a professional should be called sooner.
Routine inspection of a water well system can help ensure it is operating properly, prolong its useful life, and protect your investment. Most importantly, inspections can protect your health by discovering issues that could result in water quality problems presenting a health risk.
