Well Water Testing Is Important

Whether you are currently using a well right now or will be in the future, maintaining its cleanliness is very important. Bacteria, human/animal waste and other contaminants can infiltrate your water, making it unsafe to drink and use. Well water should be treated annually for nitrates, nitrites and bacteria.

Problems With Your Well Water


Scale Buildup

This occurs when water is traveling and accumulates minerals, such as calcium and magnesium that can create rock-like scale buildup.


Smelly Odors & Taste

If the water has an odor similar to rotten eggs, this could be due to naturally occurring sulfides or sulfates in the water from dissolved minerals, gas or oil deposits.


Cloudy, Hazy Water

There could be too much sediment in the water. This can result from iron or manganese minerals that have dissolved in the water.


Contaminants in Water

The range of contaminants can be from human and animal waste to mineral deposits and hard water scale buildup.

FAQs

Why should you test your well water?

Safe, clean water is very important for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Municipal water systems test their water regularly to ensure it’s safe, but it’s up to private well owners to test their water annually. It’s an easy way to care for the health of yourself and others.

What tests should I have done?

Testing is important to see if any coliform bacteria or other contaminants are present in the water. Coliform bacteria contain microorganisms found in feces, fractured rock outcroppings, and sinkholes. Wells can also be contaminated by insects nesting under well caps, which is why we encourage our customers to upgrade to a varmint-proof well cap. Nitrate testing is important if you are pregnant or have children. Nitrate can cause blue baby syndrome in infants, as well as birth defects and miscarriages. Nitrate enters the water from varying sources such as fertilizers or decaying plant matter. Soil types, ledge structure, and direction of aquifer flow influence whether nitrate enters the well.

What should you do if a problem is present?

In the event of a failed bacteria test, the well should be properly chlorinated and retested. If your water still contains coliform or nitrate is present, we can help you determine proper filtration to correct the problem.

All new wells are chlorinated by Atlantic Water Solutions, LLC to kill any bacteria present. In all cases, the chlorine solution should be run through the plumbing system, if installed, and left to act for 12 to 24 hours. The system should then be flushed to waste but not into the leach field.

When should you test your well water?

Ideally, you should test for coliform bacteria every year. Make testing part of a yearly routine; then you are less apt to overlook taking the test. We can take the test sample for you and email you the results if that is more convenient for you. It is important to test yearly because even if bacteria are absent one year, they could be present in the future.

Who does the actual testing of the water?

For the last 13 years, we have used Nelson Analytical Laboratory, a state-certified water testing lab. They are located in Kennebunk, Maine.

For any further water quality questions, please contact Atlantic Water Solutions, LLC. We proudly offer services to clients in & around Gray, Scarborough, Brunswick, Naples, Hollis, Berwick & Wells, ME as well as Alton, Ossipee & Rochester, NH.