Well Water Purifier - Do you need to purify the water from your well?

Do You Need A Well Water Purifier?

A well water purifier is a must if your home has a well. There are several issues that can arise with well water, hard water being one of the most common. However, even deep wells that draw water up from the water table can be prone to contamination, either from naturally existing bacteria or contamination from outside sources.

There is no single system that works perfectly, including a well water purifier, because of the wide range of possible contaminants. In order to be effective, a well water purifier should remove both biological and non-biological threats. The best way to know what is needed is by testing the well water for microbes, minerals and chemicals. It is sometimes hard to know exactly what to test for, but the surrounding area should offer clues as to possible chemical contaminants.

In agricultural areas, soil contains high levels of water-soluble fertilizer, so water should be tested for nitrates. Nearby industries such as factories, pulp mills and refineries deposit different contaminants into the soil, so water should be tested accordingly.

Another clue to contaminants is the taste, smell or color of the water. Sometimes naturally occurring mineral deposits, though not harmful, can cause an unpleasant smell or taste or leave behind unsightly stains and deposits. Well water that is consistently high in minerals such as calcium, iron or sulphur can easily be adjusted by using the right kind of filter.

One way to disinfect water is by using an ultraviolet light system. Ultraviolet light eliminates more than 99.9% of all microscopic life forms from water, but does nothing to remove minerals or toxins, so an ultraviolet system alone is not usually sufficient as a well water purifier. Combining an ultraviolet system with a form of filtration such as a carbon filter can remove the majority of common contaminants, as long as additional toxins such as pesticides or petroleum are not present.

For a more complete well water purifier, a reverse osmosis system is probably the best option. Reverse osmosis removes nearly all types of contaminants, both chemical and bacterial, down to objects as small as a single ion. The main disadvantage of reverse osmosis is the slow speed of the process.

A large capacity reverse osmosis system can be installed directly at the water source to supply the entire household with purified water, but the cost of such a system is considerably high. For drinking water, an under-the sink reverse osmosis system can be installed with its own separate faucet that can dispense purified water for drinking and cooking, leaving the sink’s regular faucet connected to the regular water supply for general use.

Before deciding on the type of well water purifier to buy, it is wise to have your well water analyzed for contaminants so you can take appropriate action. You may have clean water that simply needs a bit of filtration to improve taste, or you may have dangerously contaminated water that could be endangering the health of your family. Knowing what is hidden in your well water is the best defence.