What’s in YOUR water?

Common Contaminants Found in Residential Well Water

Well water can become contaminated without any change in the water’s taste, smell or appearance. The following are common contaminants found in residential wells throughout the United States:

  • COLIFORM BACTERIA. A natural part of the microbiology of soils, insects, and warm blooded animals, coliform bacteria is the primary indicator for the presence of disease-causing organisms in water.
  • HARDNESS. Interferes with cleaning tasks from laundering and dishwashing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. These deposits also collect in household plumbing lines, water heaters and appliances, causing them to run less efficiently.
  • IRON. Not considered hazardous to health, but when the level of iron in water exceeds the DNR 0.3 mg/l limit, we experience red, brown, or yellow staining of laundry, glassware, dishes and household items. The water may also have a metallic taste and an offensive odor. Water system piping and fixtures can also become restricted or clogged.
  • MANGANESE. A metal found in rock that does not occur naturally in pure form. Manganese will cause black staining and many times is accompanied by iron and hydrogen sulfide. Evidence of manganese staining is most prominently found in the dishwasher.
  • ARSENIC. This toxic element is found naturally in soil and bedrock, but occurs in particularly high levels in Northeast Wisconsin. Ingestion can lead to serious health problems.
  • CHLORIDES. Small amounts of salt are natural. Higher levels are unnatural and may indicate a faulty water softener, road salt, septic waste or fertilizer contamination.
  • LEAD. Houses built before 1985 may contain lead pipes or lead-based solder. Lead can cause serious health problems in young children.
  • FLUORIDE. Found naturally in water. While low levels of fluoride are desirable, excessive amounts may stain teeth.
  • HYDROGEN SULFIDE. A gas dissolved in water. It is easily detected by its rotten egg odor.
  • NITRATES. Elevated levels can be an indication of contamination by farm chemicals, lawn fertilizers, or septic saturation. Nitrates can pose a serious health risk to infants.
  • SULFATES. High levels of sulfates can cause odors, leave spots, taste bitter and have a temporary laxative effect.

Do you have any of these in your water? Do you even know? Testing your water is the first step to getting clean water to drink. Testing also creates a historical record of your water conditions. This can be important for you in the future if anything ever impacts your water source or the water conditions change unexpectedly.

Call us today to set up testing for your well or spring!