While public water systems are subject to monitoring, private well owners are responsible for protecting their own drinking water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Well water that is not properly monitored can contain contaminants that could potentially make you sick. Contamination can be naturally occurring or caused by human error from sources such as fertilizers, pesticides, or waste systems such as leaks of human sewage or animal waste. 

Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that your water supply is safe and that your well system is in good condition. Check out the following tips to ensure your well water system is in good working order.

Get regular maintenance done on your well system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 15 million households in the U.S. drink well water. The CDC also notes that contaminated well water can not only affect the health of the main household but anyone whose well system is connected to the same aquifer (making many people sick). The presence of contaminants in the water supply can lead to health issues such as gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders, according to the CDC.

 This is the biggest reason why your well will need routine maintenance—to ensure your well water system is providing the safest water for consumption. When it comes to routine maintenance on your well system, you can trust the technicians at Lee County Plumbing and Well Service with the important role of caring for your entire water system. Whether it’s well pump installation, well pump repair, backflow prevention, leak protection (vital for protecting your home from cracks in the foundation), plumbing services, or water treatment services such as the installation of water filters, you’ll find skilled technicians with this service provider.

For those who obtain their water from a private well via a well pump, it can be lifesaving to hire a professional contractor to perform system maintenance on a regular basis. This way, you can have peace of mind that your well pump is in good condition and guarantee that there aren’t any leaks threatening your home or your landscape.

Be aware of indicators that your well needs repairs.

According to Lee County Plumbing and Well Service, there are common warning signs that your well pump needs repairs. Things like low water pressure from your faucets or showers, or air coming out of the faucets could indicate problems in the well pump such as bacteria buildup or a water level lower than the pump itself. Debris, such as sand and other sediment, visibly present in the pump could either mean the water level is too low or there’s a problem with the water well screen.

The most obvious sign of a problem is when the water has a bad taste or odor. In the long run, the particles causing the smell and taste are generally not high enough to affect your family’s health, however, it’s better safe than sorry. Especially since it will make drinking water far less enjoyable. 

Learn how to test your water.

The EPA notes that those who obtain their water from a private well should receive annual water testing to ensure the best water quality. Often, the local health department will assist you in testing for bacteria or nitrates. If this service is not available, you can seek out a state-certified laboratory with qualified water experts to test your water.

If you have a child on the brink of adolescence, use this time as an opportunity to teach them the basics of how to test the water, how to know when something is wrong with the pump, and why they should filter their drinking water. Teaching these insights to high school students before they reach adulthood is a great way to know they'll be able to keep themselves safe in the future.

This is also a great opportunity to be your child’s trusted adult, someone who they can talk to about mental health for teens. Provide a safe place your child can confide in when they're struggling with things such as major changes, drug use, bullies, the stigma surrounding sexuality or gender, or stigma they may feel towards mental illnesses that may be making it difficult to talk about their own struggles with mental illness, like anxiety.

Dealing with adolescence is hard enough, but coming of age during the coronavirus pandemic has caused many young people to struggle even more with their mental health. Increases in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are especially on the rise since the pandemic. Across the country, there is an increase in suicidal adolescents with increasing mental health challenges. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and to take advantage of mental health services, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.