Private wells often get a bad rap due to misinformation. Here are three common misconceptions about well water, along with the truth.
Myth #1: It’s Never Safe to Drink Well Water
Thousands of households across the country that rely on well water can tell you that this statement is false. The vast majority of private wells produce safe, healthy water for drinking and household use.
Well water does need to be monitored for contaminants, but the same is true of municipal water. Water quality must always be tested and assessed to ensure safety. In the case of well water, however, individual well owners are responsible for that testing rather than an outside authority.
When you properly maintain a well and test for contaminants regularly, you often wind up with water that is safer and cleaner than many municipal supplies. Don’t believe bad press or isolated horror stories—wells provide safe water for countless families across the nation.
Myth #2: You Can’t Count on Well Water
One of the biggest myths about well water is that it’s likely to run out. Either the well will run totally empty, or there won’t be enough water during dry seasons.
The likelihood of either scenario is very low. Wells draw water from underground, and those reserves are robust and interconnected across entire regions. When correctly drilled and installed, wells can continue to draw water indefinitely.
As with any water supply, drought conditions can affect water availability. This isn’t unique to well water and isn’t automatically a problem for homes that rely on private wells.
If a well has a lower yield for a time due to hot, dry weather, you can follow the same water conservation measures that any community does:
- Limit household water usage (showers, laundry, etc.)
- Adapt watering or irrigation strategies (water less, use drip irrigation)
- Draw water during off-peak hours when possible
While the human fear of running out of water is understandable, it’s not something you have to worry about with a private well. Modern wells are designed and constructed to provide a safe, sustainable water supply you can count on.
Myth #3: Wells Only Provide Hard Water
The “hardness” or “softness” of a water supply has little to do with whether the water comes from a well. Hard water is caused by minerals naturally absorbed from the local geology. Well water can be hard or soft depending on where the well is located and the natural mineral content of the ground.
If a well provides water with high mineral content, well owners can treat it with water softeners to remove excess minerals. For folks who use a municipal water supply, this process happens behind the scenes in a water treatment facility when necessary.
Wells don’t inherently provide hard water. However, well owners do need to take charge of treating hard water if they want to change its composition.
If you have questions about installing, maintaining, or using a private well in Valatie or the area, call Goold Wells & Pumps today. We’re a local, family-owned company, and we’ve installed and serviced private wells for over 90 years. We have a vast knowledge of the region, and we’ll be happy to help you with all your well needs. You can count on us for outstanding customer care and superior workmanship every time. Goold Wells & Pumps—Trusted Name Since 1928