All of us have hard
water, to one degree or another, whether we live in a home with a private
well, community well or city water. The problem is each one of these
water supplies has their own particular water quality issues.
The water chemistry from a private well supply can vary greatly even during the course of one year. The change of seasons at times brings heavy rains, spring runoff from winter snows and drought conditions. Any and all of these conditions will have an impact on the water chemistry and water quality of your well water supply. Typically the shallower the well supply the more susceptible it is to these changing water conditions but all wells experience changing water tables and consequently a change in the water chemistry, usually for the worse, unfortunately.
This year (2014) has been a perfect example of this occurring in many wells throughout southeast Michigan. With the drought conditions we experienced two years ago the water table dropped significantly causing many people to put in new wells. Last winter we had a heavier snow fall then recent winters past and spring brought almost daily rain showers well into the summer bringing the water tables up to levels we have not seen in many years. This "Water Cycle" brought a significant change to our water tables and in many cases a drastic change in the quality of the water from private and community well supplies. All city water suppliers in southeast Michigan, such as the city of Detroit, MI and in particular the city of Ann Arbor, MI, deal with these same issues of changing water quality. Ann Arbor draws their water from the Huron River and this spring the Huron River was at one of the highest levels it has seen in many years. All the runoff that feeds the river brought a lot of sediment into the system. The same can be said for the City of Detroit’s water source (Lake St Clair). Sediment, Silt, Turbidity, the potential for Algae blooms as the city of Toledo saw this year are all problems that these municipal water supplies have to contend with to supply potable / safe water to every customers home.
When such Water Cycles occur it is common to have higher Iron, Manganese, Hydrogen Sulfide and even harder water (Calcium/Magnesium) coming from your well water supply. Because of the natural cycle of water it is recommended to have your well water supply tested every few years to see if the water chemistry has changed. If so, what, if any, steps need to be taken to address new water problems that may be found. Private well supplies are also susceptible to bacterial contamination from many sources so it is also recommended to do a Bacteria test on your well supply every few years to assure no bacterial contaminants have entered the well. If a positive test for Bacteria occurs the well can usually be treated to eliminate the problem.
The BIG picture of all this water stuff? Is it over blown at times? Yes.
The water chemistry from a private well supply can vary greatly even during the course of one year. The change of seasons at times brings heavy rains, spring runoff from winter snows and drought conditions. Any and all of these conditions will have an impact on the water chemistry and water quality of your well water supply. Typically the shallower the well supply the more susceptible it is to these changing water conditions but all wells experience changing water tables and consequently a change in the water chemistry, usually for the worse, unfortunately.
This year (2014) has been a perfect example of this occurring in many wells throughout southeast Michigan. With the drought conditions we experienced two years ago the water table dropped significantly causing many people to put in new wells. Last winter we had a heavier snow fall then recent winters past and spring brought almost daily rain showers well into the summer bringing the water tables up to levels we have not seen in many years. This "Water Cycle" brought a significant change to our water tables and in many cases a drastic change in the quality of the water from private and community well supplies. All city water suppliers in southeast Michigan, such as the city of Detroit, MI and in particular the city of Ann Arbor, MI, deal with these same issues of changing water quality. Ann Arbor draws their water from the Huron River and this spring the Huron River was at one of the highest levels it has seen in many years. All the runoff that feeds the river brought a lot of sediment into the system. The same can be said for the City of Detroit’s water source (Lake St Clair). Sediment, Silt, Turbidity, the potential for Algae blooms as the city of Toledo saw this year are all problems that these municipal water supplies have to contend with to supply potable / safe water to every customers home.
When such Water Cycles occur it is common to have higher Iron, Manganese, Hydrogen Sulfide and even harder water (Calcium/Magnesium) coming from your well water supply. Because of the natural cycle of water it is recommended to have your well water supply tested every few years to see if the water chemistry has changed. If so, what, if any, steps need to be taken to address new water problems that may be found. Private well supplies are also susceptible to bacterial contamination from many sources so it is also recommended to do a Bacteria test on your well supply every few years to assure no bacterial contaminants have entered the well. If a positive test for Bacteria occurs the well can usually be treated to eliminate the problem.
The BIG picture of all this water stuff? Is it over blown at times? Yes.
Are there genuine
concerns about what is in our water and how it affects us? Yes!
But reassuring ourselves we have good water and it is safe for our families brings us piece of mind, makes our lives easier and healthier. That we can all use a lot more of!
But reassuring ourselves we have good water and it is safe for our families brings us piece of mind, makes our lives easier and healthier. That we can all use a lot more of!
Here are several links
related to topics discussed in this article and very useful information for
every homeowner.
Where your water comes from:
Testing well water:
Homeowners guide to your well:
Good days and Good water to you.
Ray McConnell,
Certified Water Treatment
Specialist
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