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Buying a Home with a Water Well

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  So you've found your dream house, the perfect size in the perfect location.  A beautiful property with scenic views, a large garage and maybe even a pool! But, the property is not connected to municipal water and relies solely on a private water well to supply all the household water needs. No worries; with proper attention, maintenance and inspection, well water can be cheaper and cleaner than city water! Water wells tap into groundwater found deep under the surface, under layers of soil and rock. These layers provide the first round of natural filtration, while also adding a higher mineral content to the water that public water supplies typically have. Well water is considered 'Hard Water', as it contains a higher mineral content than public water, which causes a build up of minerals and scale. A water softening system will remove some of the excess minerals from your groundwater and reduce the amount of scale.  Proper maintenance is the key to keeping your well in go...

Arsenic and Your Water

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  Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table, it is odorless and tasteless, and can enter drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. Arsenic is a metal found in ores of copper, lead and other minerals, and in soil, groundwater and surface water. Arsenic compounds are used in wood preservatives and have been used in commercial pesticides.  Contamination of drinking water may occur if arsenic gets into the surface or groundwater after dissolving from minerals in the ground. It may also occur after the past use of arsenic-containing pesticides and improper waste disposal by smelting operations. Arsenic is one of the inorganic contaminants regulated under the Phase II/V Rules. Under the Arsenic Rule of 2001, the EPA adopted a lower standard for arsenic in drinking water of 10 parts per billion (ppb), which replaced the prior standard of 50 ppb. Non-cancer effects of arsenic can include: Thickening and discol...

So You Need a Well on Your Property, Now What?

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Whether it's an old farmhouse or new construction, some properties are just too far from a town to be connected to a public water supply. Having a well drilled will provide you and your family with a reliable source for clean, potable water. The first step is to choose a location for your well. This should start with a site survey from a licensed drilling contractor. You will need firm and level ground that is at least 50 feet away from your septic tank (and your septic system drain fields should be at least 100 feet away from your well), in an area that is accessible to drilling equipment. This location should be close enough to the house that a pump will not struggle to move the water to the home. Your licensed drilling contractor should be able to give an estimated drilling depth to find water, based on data of existing wells in the area. Please remember that these are just estimates and you will never truly never know where the groundwater level is until it is reached. Next you...