Are you among the 300,000 Arizonans that get water from private wells? Did you know that well water needs to be tested and certified fit for its intended use? Did you know there are different tests conducted on well water?

Regular well water testing allows you to identify water-related problems and select the appropriate treatment.

Well water has undergone natural filtration as it passes through the ground into the aquifer. It has a few benefits such as the removal of chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. The Arizona Department of Health Services recommends regular testing to ensure high water quality for drinking, livestock, and chemical spraying.

What to Test Well Water for

There are standard water analysis tests for almost all contaminants present in drinking water. All these contaminants can affect your health. The analysis investigates pH, bacteria, chlorine, arsenic, nitrites, and nitrates. Other substances are iron, sodium, fluoride, copper, lead, and uranium.

The water systems professionals should be contacted once you receive the analysis results. These professionals decide on the most suitable treatment option.

What Contaminates Well Water?

Water from the ground can pick up impurities such as copper, nitrates, and nitrites from the soil. The water can also be polluted by fertilizers and chemicals used around the well. Water contaminants are not easily detectable, which is the reason for regular well water testing.

Other contaminants include chemicals, metals, and microbial contaminants like cysts, viruses, and bacteria. What is the difference between the microbials?

1. Cysts

Cysts are the protein sacs produced by the bacteria and specific protozoans. Although cysts are not easily destroyed, filtering water can remove them due to their large size.

2. Viruses

Viruses are microbes containing proteins and nucleic acid that infect human beings. Virus reproduction only happens when they are inside other living cells.

3. Bacteria

These are single-celled parasites or organisms. Bacteria can be either useful or harmful. They work on breaking down the bodies and waste of dead organisms.

Well water testing prevents health issues such as nausea, fever, and gastrointestinal distress. The presence of excess alkaline and minerals can damage the well water pipes, fixtures, and other appliances.

How often should you Perform Well Water Testing

The recommended frequency for well water testing is annual. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends twice a year testing for shallow wells less than a hundred feet deep.

You could perform a screening test that investigates the safety of your well water. The Well Water Test Kit offered by Test Assured provides enough tests for standard water analysis. This kit detects the presence of chemicals, bacteria, and heavy metals. A screening test helps to narrow down on elements to investigate using more sophisticated tests.

Some conditions call for more frequent tests. These conditions include:

  • Flooding and land disturbances
  • Presence of industrial land or areas undergoing heavy development
  • Recent well repairs of construction which could cause bacterial contamination
  • A noticeable change in the taste, odor, or appearance of well water, which means low water quality
  • The presence of contaminants during the previous tests

Check out this page for the important points to note during well water testing.

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Is it time to have your well water tested professionally? Empire Pump is a Phoenix water well pump installation business that performs other maintenance such as well water testing. Call 623-582-5069 now to schedule an appointment or to have your questions answered!


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