6 Things You Didn't Know Are Harming Your Well

By Geoffrey Sperring

May 03, 2025

There's nothing worse than well water that has a smell of rotten eggs or tastes strange. If the water quality of your well varies, it’s a sign the water may have been contaminated by human activities or naturally occurring pollutants like heavy metals.

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Common Things That Are Harmful to Well Water Systems

The EPA estimates 23 million households in the United States have private wells they use for drinking water. These wells are mostly unregulated, and owners are responsible for their water quality. Many contaminants can affect the quality of well water. Here's a list of six things that are bad for your well.

1. Faulty Septic Systems

Septic systems rely on anaerobic digestion to break up human sewage and drain fields to remove nitrogen and harmful organisms like E. coli and coliform bacteria. If the septic system isn't working properly, these organisms can contaminate the groundwater. Prevention includes regular inspection, detection of leaks and drain field maintenance. It's essential the well isn't close to, or down gradient, of the septic system. You can remove E. coli from water using microfilters or reverse osmosis.

2. Improper Use and Disposal of Animal Waste

Animal manure can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizer. However, it may contain pathogens, antibiotics and chemicals. Rain and surface water can allow waste material to seep into the groundwater, especially in sandy and loamy soils. This waste may contaminate well water. Ways to protect groundwater include storing manure on concrete floors with a perimeter wall, cleaning feedlots regularly and composting manure to remove pathogens.

3. Application of Chemical Fertilizers

Farmers may use chemical fertilizers to increase crop yields. Excess nitrogen in fertilizer converts into nitrates that leach into the groundwater. Nitrates in drinking water carry severe health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women. Applying fertilizers in the right quantities and at the right time reduces the risk of leaching. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange and electrodialysis are viable techniques for removing nitrates from drinking water.

4. Spills and Leaks From Underground Storage Tanks

Many homes have underground tanks for storing heating oil. Farmers also use tanks for storing fuels and chemicals. Leaks from underground tanks caused by corrosion, damage or poor maintenance are common and pose a significant risk to groundwater systems. Removal of petroleum products from drinking water is difficult, and in most instances, contaminated wells must be abandoned. Cleanup is expensive and may involve excavating and treating contaminated soil.

5. Heavy Metals

Many heavy metals like arsenic occur naturally in the soil. They're also introduced by agricultural, mining, fracking and industrial activities. Heavy metals are toxic and may cause long-term health issues. In a survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, 7% of wells tested had arsenic levels exceeding the EPA standard. Reverse osmosis and distillation are the best treatments for removing heavy metals from drinking water, followed by ion exchange and activated carbon filters.

6. Pesticides

Pesticides are a serious issue when it comes to groundwater contamination. They're easily transported through the air, often falling to the ground miles from where they were applied. Readily leached into the groundwater by rain and irrigation, they may only appear in well water years after application. Pesticides contain many potentially dangerous chemicals. Reverse osmosis and charcoal filters are the best ways of removing pesticides from drinking water.

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Importance of Professional Testing

The only way to be sure your well water is safe is to have it tested once a year. You should also have water tests done if you notice anything unusual or if there are reports of groundwater contamination. Although water test kits are available, consider using a state-certified laboratory that has up-to-date knowledge of water contamination risks in your area.

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