Can well water cause health issues? The well and water system may have parts that have lead in them, and that lead can get into drinking water. Lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system . Lead can also slow development or cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems. See Lead in Well Water Systems.
How do I know if my well water is making me sick?
- Scale or Scum. Scale buildup or a scummy feeling from water is often associated with calcium or magnesium. ...
- Unclear or Turbid Water. ...
- Green Stains on Sinks or Faucets. ...
- Brown or Red Stains on Sinks, Clothes, or Dishwasher. ...
- Salty Taste. ...
- Soapy Taste. ...
- Chemical Taste. ...
- Metallic Taste.
How does well water affect your health?
Heavy metals can contaminate private wells through groundwater movement and surface water seepage and run-off. People that consume high levels of heavy metals risk acute and chronic toxicity, liver, kidney, and intestinal damage, anemia, and cancer .
Can you get sick from well water?
Can bacteria in well water make you sick? yes, household well water that is contaminated likely holds coliform bacteria and E-coli . These microorganisms can be the cause of enteric diseases.
Why you shouldn’t drink well water?
Polluted well water can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting . The harmful contaminants in the water could lead to serious health issues. They include cancer, neurological problems, reproductive problems, and gastrointestinal illness, says Dr. Gochfeld.
Is it safe to shower in well water?
Well water
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 .
Is it safe to drink well water?
Well water can be safe for drinking and all other household needs, as long as you make sure to test your water supply regularly and select treatment solutions in line with your results .
Is it safe to drink untreated well water?
About 15 percent of Americans rely on well water for drinking, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Contaminated well water can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting and potentially lead to serious health problems, such as cancer, kidney disorders and brain damage , says Dr.
What is the most common contaminant in well water?
- Radon. Radon is commonly found in water but can be hard to detect. ...
- Arsenic. ...
- Nitrate. ...
- Radionuclides. ...
- Fluoride. ...
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ...
- Synthetic Organic Contaminants (SOCs) ...
- Microbial Contamination.
How can I make my well water healthy?
Water filters are one way that you can remove contaminants from your water . When your water is sourced from a well, you could require a more vigorous water filtration system than those who don’t have well water due to the various contaminants seeping into the soil and your water system.
What kind of bacteria can be found in well water?
Fecal coliform bacteria are a sub-group of total coliform bacteria. They appear in great quantities in the intestines and feces of people and animals. The presence of these bacteria indicates that your well water is contaminated with feces or sewage, and it has the potential to cause disease.
Can well water cause kidney problems?
Dr Sushma Rani R, senior consultant, Nephrology, Sakra World Hospital, said uranium in groundwater gets accumulated in kidneys and other organs. “It especially affects the tubular functions of the kidney and may cause chronic kidney disease .
What are the disadvantages of well water?
- Hard Water and Scale Buildup.
- Harmful contaminants such as bacteria, lead, and arsenic.
- Pumps need to be replaced every 10 or so years.
- Bad taste.
Is well water or city water healthier?
Well water is also healthier because it’s full of minerals and isn’t treated with harsh chemicals. City water is treated with chlorine and fluoride because it comes from lakes and rivers with many pollutants. While these chemicals are used to treat and disinfect the water, they are not good for our health.
Will a Brita filter make well water safe to drink?
Brita filters remove many harmful contaminants, but unfortunately, they cannot be relied upon as the primary filter to make your well water safe to drink .
Is well water the healthiest?
Water Quality. Well Water Quality — Because well water is coming from the aquifer underground, instead of run- off or surface water, it tends to be cleaner and fresher . Groundwater is also high in healthy nutrients and minerals that are good for the body, including children.
Can you get worms from well water?
Giardia parasites are found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams worldwide, as well as in public water supplies, wells, cisterns, swimming pools, water parks and spas. Ground and surface water can become infected with giardia from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge or animal feces .
How do you live with well water?
- Get your water tested annually. Wells are prone to contamination, so regular testing of your water quality is tantamount to your health. ...
- Get your system inspected each year, too. ...
- Check your water softener. ...
- Avoid hard water stains. ...
- Improve your drinking water.
Is well water safer than bottled water?
From a Bottle
Most plastic water bottles aren’t formulated for multiple uses, and heat causes them to slough chemicals into the water. Putting well water in a glass will protect your water from the contamination of plastic chemicals .
How do you disinfect well water?
Rinse the inside of the well casing with a garden hose or bucket for 5-10 minutes. Open all faucets inside the home and run the water until you notice a strong odor of chlorine (bleach) at each faucet. Turn off all faucets and allow the solution to remain in the well and plumbing for at least 12 hours.
Can well water cause stomach pain?
DISEASE-CAUSING BACTERIA
The Public Health Ontario Laboratory tests household well water samples for two indicators of bacteriological contamination, namely coliform bacteria and E. coli. These microorganisms can be the cause of enteric diseases with symptoms that include nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea .
What are symptoms of coliform bacteria?
Most coliform bacteria are not harmful. However, some can make you sick. A person that has been exposed to these bacteria may have an upset stomach, vomiting, fever, or diarrhea . Children and the elderly are more at risk from these bacteria.
Can hard water cause stomach problems?
1) A feeling of uneasiness in the stomach:
When you drink hard water on a regular basis for a long period of time, you can develop stomach-related problems . The content of the total dissolved solids (TDS) is usually high in hard water; these dissolved solids do not break down easily.
Do I need to treat my well water?
Treatment is needed if your water has a bad taste or smell or is excessively corrosive . If your answer is yes, then you must seek water treatment equipment to soften the water to make it easier to treat efficiently.
How do you tell if there is bacteria in your water?
- Cloudy. Don’t drink your water if it appears cloudy. ...
- Sediment. ...
- Brown or Orange Hue. ...
- Oily Film atop Standing Water. ...
- Chlorine Scent. ...
- Sulfur Scent. ...
- Metallic Taste. ...
- Rusted Silverware.
How do you test well water for bacteria?
Is mineral water hard on your kidneys?
Healthy people can drink mineral water without any problems, as long as they don’t overindulge. Drinking it regularly in large quantities can have an adverse effect on the kidneys and can lead to the formation of kidney stones .
Can you get kidney stones from hard water?
Kidney stones have many causes and are not only due to water quality. However, studies have shown a significant risk increase when consuming hard water . Research also says that staying hydrated is one of the best ways to reduce your risk.
How can I test my well water?
What are symptoms of coliform bacteria?
Most coliform bacteria are not harmful. However, some can make you sick. A person that has been exposed to these bacteria may have an upset stomach, vomiting, fever, or diarrhea . Children and the elderly are more at risk from these bacteria.
What do you do if you have bacteria in your well water?
FIX the problem, then shock chlorinate the well . Test again before using the water. system was not disinfected after the work, this may be your source of bacteria. Shock chlorinate your water system and test the water again.
