Test your well water at least once every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates,
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, nausea, headaches, fever, fatigue, and even death sometimes. Infants, children, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick or die from disease-causing microorganisms in drinking water.
Regular maintenance is important to keep your well water safe. Get a well checkup every year, and test your water and check your well if you ever suspect a problem. At least once each year: Test your well water for harmful germs and chemicals.
Similar to the murky or cloudy appearance, your well water is likely contaminated if you can see particles of dirt, clay, rust, and other sediments. The presence of particles big enough to see confirms that there are likely much smaller particles you can't see, which could have serious health impacts if ingested.
Bacteria. Bacteria is a common microbial contaminant that can be introduced into ground water through a combination of well construction characteristics, surface to groundwater geologic pathways, intense rain events, and various surface activities. A common test for bacteria is the "total coliform bacteria" test.
Use a state-certified laboratory to test your water. Local or state health departments or environmental departments often test for nitrates, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, volatile organic compounds, and pH.
Iron bacteria infestations in water wells can cause: ✓ Unpleasant taste and/or odors resembling fuel oil, sewage, or rotten vegetation. disinfectant. ✓ Costly and difficult well rehabilitation.
The best way to tell if there is bacteria in your water is always to have it tested, although there are signs to recognize if you suspect you might have a problem with your water: Water begins leaving unusual or heavy staining around fixtures and drains, may be rust colored.
13. What are the symptoms of water-borne illness? Symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea and possible jaundice and associated headaches and fatigue. Symptoms may appear as early as a few hours to several days after infection and may last more than two weeks.
Muddy or Gritty Water
If the water from the tap starts to run muddy or there seems to be more sediment than usual, your water well may be getting low. Mud and sand are at the bottom of every well.
Avoid using, mixing or storing hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, gas, weed killer or other pollutants near your well. Do not dump waste near your well or near sinkholes, as this may contaminate your water supply.
An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended. Any source of drinking water should be checked any time there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.
Nitrate in Private Well Water and Health
Symptoms, such as shortness of breath and blueness of the skin, can occur rapidly over a period of days. Infants are at the greatest risk for illness from exposure to high levels of nitrate.
Ingesting high levels of inorganic arsenic can result in death. Low levels of arsenic ingestion can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of "pins and needles" in hands and feet.
Well water can have a wide variety of contaminants that can strip the color from your hair, meaning that you may need to adjust your hair care routine if you want to protect your hair. Well water can also lead to dry hair, meaning that it could crack and crinkle easily.
Some contaminants in well water, like bacteria and nitrates, can cause short-term illnesses (such as stomach problems, diarrhea, nausea).
If your water at home is from a private well or small community well, you should boil the water or use approved bottled water for drinking. Sometimes a well is more likely to become contaminated with bacteria. Bathing is not a problem using well water. Water from a private well should be tested at least once each year.
If total coliforms (E. coli) are in your well water, you may have diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. Infants, young children and people with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk.
Chlorination is effective for getting rid of a one-time case of bacterial contamination.
Symptoms of Waterborne Illness
The incubation period (the time between exposure to the pathogen and onset of symptoms) may begin within hours after being exposed or may begin days later.
There are a few different ways that you can filter your water, and the cheapest way to remove iron from well water is by using a chemical-based filter. These filters work by using a small amount of chlorine to oxidize the iron, which then binds to the filter media and is removed from the water.
Symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea are signs of waterborne illness. This illness can occur from drinking dirty water. Stay safe around contaminated water and take the right steps to purify your drinking water. You can do a lot to help improve your drinking water quality, especially for a well water system.
The frequency of shock chlorination depends on several factors, including the type of well, water usage, and local environmental conditions. Generally, it is recommended to chlorinate your well at least once a year. However, certain situations may require more frequent chlorination.