Frequently Asked Questions…

What do I do if I have a low producing well?

The well log you are given when the well is drilled is very important for determining any future work to be completed on your well. This is the road map to your well. The options available to you will depend on the type of well you have. If you have a bedrock well you may be able to deepen it, hydrofracture it, or do both. If neither of these options are available to you, you may want to consider a storage system or if you have two wells, using both wells with an alternator system.

What if I do not have a well log?

A down-the-hole video camera is instrumental in diagnosing a well problem. It allows the driller to inspect the casing, the well seal, rock formation, and fractures.

How will I know how much water my well is producing?

When your well is being drilled, the flow is being measured by the driller using compressed air with the rig. Water is measured by the flow as it is airlifted out of the well and by the rate of recovery. The most accurate method of testing is a pump test. The amount of time the well should be tested for is determined by the driller who knows the depth and estimated rate of recovery. If you are buying a house, the well should be pump tested for a four-hour time period to determine the exact flow. Some municipalities and banks have this requirement as well. Water levels should ideally be taken and the well should be allowed to stabilize (if possible) before the four-hour pumping period officially begins. If the well runs out of water, the rate of recovery must be tested to determine how much water the well actually produces.

How do I get the water to my home?

Ideally, a submersible pump is installed in the bottom of your well. The water is pumped from your well through underground lines and into a pressure tank located in the basement of your house. When you are talking to contractors get itemized estimates. Find out exactly what kind of materials are going to go into your well.

Do I need water treatment equipment on my well?

Some wells may need some kind of system to treat for hardness, iron, sulfur, etc. New wells should be used for at least four to six weeks before installing a treatment system. A new well continues to develop itself for a while and composition may change.

Should I have my water tested?

Your well should be tested for total coliform before being used. If a well is properly constructed, you should not have a problem with bacteria in the water. Wells should be chlorinated on an annual basis. Vermin-proof well caps should be installed on the well at completion and the wellhead should be left 12” to 18” above ground.

What should I know before I hire a driller?

Before hiring any contractor get at least three estimates. Ask for references and check for proof of Workers’ Compensation and Liability insurance. Did you know you may personally be responsible if the contractor you hire is not properly insured and there is an accident on your property? All Water Well Contractors in New York State must be registered with the Department of Environmental Conservation. Our registration number is 10002. We must register annually. There must be one licensed well driller or pump installer on site working on your well. Registration & licensing requirements are available through the DEC website.

Is all Well Water the same?

The elements found in well water may vary so not all well water is the same. This is true even among wells that are within close proximity to each other. Common well water issues include sediment, dirt, hardness, bacteria, and iron. It is necessary to have your well water tested before the proper treatment for your water can be determined.

Why does water sometimes smell like rotten eggs?

Hydrogen Sulfide is often the reason for this unpleasant smell. Hydrogen Sulfide may be created by decaying organic matter, some types of bacteria, and petroleum refining. If the rotten egg smell is only present in hot water, it may be the result of a deteriorated anode on a water heater system.

My water tastes and smells like chlorine. What causes this?

Municipal water treatment facilities commonly use chlorine to treat water. It is often detectable in tap water due to taste and smell. While chlorine is effective for removing dangerous bacteria from the water supply, chlorine can objectionably affect drinking water by irritating the eyes and skin. Since the chlorine has already served its purpose by the time water reaches your faucet, we can safely reduce it from your water.

Why do rust stains occur?

Though it may not be noticeable to the naked eye, iron may be in your water. Once it is exposed to air, the iron oxidizes, and leaves rust-colored stains on clothing, showers, sinks, and fixtures.

Is water-softening equipment required to reduce iron from water?

The answer depends on the type of iron you have in your water. There are three different types of iron water – ferric, ferrous, and iron bacteria. It is necessary to evaluate the kind of iron in your water before diagnosing what is needed to solve your iron issues.

Will hard water affect my water-using appliances?

Hard water leads to build-up in plumbing and water-using appliances, creating a restricted flow of water. In appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, the build-up can ultimately lead to the need to service or replace these items more frequently. In hard water areas, it is not unusual for the flow of running water through household water lines to be reduced to the size of a ballpoint pen head.

Does having hard water adversely impact my energy costs?

Hard water forms build-up in appliances, which can require as much as 33% more fuel to heat water in a water heater. The reason is that additional energy is required to heat hard water scales before it can heat your water. Since soft water eliminates hard water scale issues, the result will be lower energy costs.

Soft water causes a “slippery” feeling on my skin. Why is this?

With soft water, it may actually seem like soap and shampoo have not completely rinsed off your skin. This sensation is caused by the fact that there is no dissolved rock in your water. The water’s natural softening and moisturizing agents can do their job, and thoroughly clean skin and hair. Conversely, this is why hard water can cause skin pores to clog with soap residue, leaving skin dull and hair feeling dry.

What are the advantages of using a water softener?

Water that has been treated with a water softener has many benefits over hard water:

• Housework is easier without having to deal with hard water build-up on fixtures and appliances.
• Clothes laundered in soft water wear better, lasting up to 30% longer.
• Fabrics stay softer and whiter without the dingy gray caused by hard water.
• Soft water cleans silverware, dishes, and glassware better, leaving a shinier finish.
• Soaps and shampoos work more effectively because soft water allows them to lather better, enabling you to use up to 75% less product.
• Organic, chemical-free healthy soaps and laundry products perform better with soft water.
• Hair and skin feel softer and cleaner after bathing with softened water
• Water-using appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers last much longer when used with soft water.

How does a water softener work?

The calcium and magnesium in hard water are reduced by resin beads as they flow through the system. Hardness ions in the water are replaced with the soft ions of the resin beads in an exchange process to create soft water.

Once the water softener resin beads become coated with calcium and magnesium ions, their ability to soften hard water decreases. Regeneration is a process during which water is flushed through the water softener with a concentrated amount of regenerant. Resin beads exchange the soft ions from the regenerant for the hard ions. The dirt and sediment filter sends dissolved dirt, rock, and sediment down the drain. Following the restoration of the resin beads, the water softener goes back to work, providing the entire home with soft, clean water.

Is it possible to soften water without using salt?

Magnetic or electronic devices (known as “descalers” in the water treatment industry) are available on the market. They are not actual water softeners because they do not reduce the hardness of the water. They can be useful for preventing scale build-up in pipes and appliances, but they do not provide softened water or its benefits.

Are water softeners expensive to use?

The only household appliance that can actually reduce costs, a water softener can reduce water-heating bills by up to 29%. Soft water also requires less detergent and soap usage, so water softeners save you money on these items as well.

Can my septic system or drain field be compromised by the water softeners discharge from regeneration?

Studies done in the 1970s at the University of Wisconsin concluded that salt-brine discharge from water softeners had no ill effects on the operation of typical anaerobic or newer-style aerobic home treatment systems. It was also confirmed that water softener regeneration discharge did not hurt drain field soil percolation and in some cases could improve soil percolation. Septic tank effluents containing water softener effluents include substantial amounts of calcium and magnesium, which balance the effect of sodium, in addition to promoting and sustaining soil permeability. According to the study results, it is preferable to discharge water softener waste to septic systems than to separate dry wells or ditches. Learn more at www.wqa.org.

What is the best way to have my water tested?

It is best to have well water tested for hardness, iron, and pH. City water should be checked for hardness, pH, and chlorine. Contact us to schedule a FREE in-home water test so we can identify your water problems and determine the right water solution for your home.