Many homes in the United States source their water from private wells. Wells can be a cheap source of water, saving you money on your water bill each month. That benefit can come with a cost, though. Well water must be filtered and purified to maintain a high quality. Without proper filtration, your water could make you sick!
Why You Need to Filter Your Well Water
Most wells are not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Private wells without that government regulation usually don’t have safety mechanisms in place to test and maintain the drink-ability of their water. This can be a major concern. Unfiltered well water can have a host of issues that may affect a drinker’s health, including disease-carrying pathogens, sediment and dirt contamination, and a presence of rust or heavy metals. Unfiltered well water can also have unsightly color, pungent odor, and bad taste.
Disease
While the United States has some of the cleanest water in the world, any water source not government-regulated can be at risk of contamination. Bacterial and fungal contamination can spread infection and disease. Filtering your well water won’t necessarily sift out every waterborne pathogen, but filtering can greatly reduce the chances for contamination.
Sediment
Flooding, ground disturbances, and movement in the earth can cause your aquifer or well to fill with sediment and particulate. Sand, dirt, and silt are all common contaminants. While microscopic levels of these particulates are essentially harmless, larger quantities can cause sickness. Water filters are especially good at removing hard particulates like those mentioned above and can drastically improve water quality.
Rust and Heavy Metals
Rust and heavy metals can also be a concern depending on where your well is located and the delivery devices you’re using to transport water from the well to your tap. Metal piping will naturally rust over time, which can lead to metal flakes being deposited into your water. Nobody wants to drink down a glass of metal shavings! Naturally-occurring metals like zinc and iron can also be present in your well or aquifer, which in large doses can be harmful to the human body.
Color, Odor, and Taste
Besides all the health concerns, unfiltered water is also ugly. Your water can take on a dirty color, have a terrible smell, and taste awful without proper filtration. These can be serious drawbacks when you’re using your well water to drink and bathe and cook. Using a proper filter will keep your water looking, smelling, and tasting fresh!
