By Barbara Lehrer
Real Talk
Barbara Lehrer
We all know well water comes from a private well, which is actually coming through fractured rock underground. This water type has many advantages as it is free from many of the products that can be found in city water. Yet some of my clients shy away from purchasing a home with well water. An education on both systems can help us all live with both kinds of water without worry.
Well water is naturally rich in minerals. It can develop an earthy smell or taste from algae or bacteria and can be easily fixed with chlorination. This water should be tested yearly for all the things that do not show any signs of a problem, like smell or taste.
If the water is too hard, which is a common issue, then it is not dangerous to drink but it can create problems with your skin, clothing, plumbing and appliances. Adding a softener, another simple basement attachment, is normal and not expensive. However, yearly maintenance is still important. Many homeowners forget about their well upkeep until it is time to sell.
City water draws from surface sources, which makes it vulnerable to things like runoff. It should also be subjected to testing periodically. There are products on the roadways from maintenance, snow removal and gardening runoff, for example, that can seep into the system. City pipes may be old. Breaks can occur and lead or copper can leach into water supplies.
Radon in the home or in the water is an important reason to test, as it odorless, colorless and can lead to lung cancer if breathed in – including through water vapor.
You can test your city water the same way well water is checked. Purchase a sanitized test kit and drop it off or mail it to a home water testing company. You will not know what you are looking for, but the companies that study water will.
Many local well companies can upgrade your systems and teach you how to better maintain them too. Filtering canisters on main pipes in your basement can easily straighten out city water issues. Well water has multiple resources for any problems: iron filters, bacteria preventative lighting and salt mechanisms.
Either city water or well water is great. If you want to live in the country, then well water may be all that is available. Milford and Orange have many homes with both kinds of setups, and a huge percentage of Connecticut gets by with one or the other. Stay educated. Be conscious that you are drinking or breathing in the vapor of the water in your home. Use testing.
If you need more information on these issues, email Barbara.Lehrer@cbmoves.com.