Country living is a dreamy idea for many urbanites, but most people who decide to live the dream and move to a residential acreage soon discover that there are elements they never anticipated.
If your acreage is not serviced by a municipal water supply, a water co-op or utility company, you most likely have a well. A well must be drilled by a licensed driller and properly cited. It should be easily accessed for cleaning, testing, repair and maintenance.
Proper management and upkeep of your water well are essential for its longevity and efficiency. Conducting regular water testing is imperative for the safety of your potable water supply.
Water well shock chlorination is a simple treatment used to disinfect groundwater wells and inactivate harmful bacteria within the well and distribution system. It is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward procedure to control iron and sulphur bacteria in wells. Well shocking involves adding a large amount of chlorine to the water in the well and pumping it through the distribution system. The chlorinated water is left in the system until it is completely disinfected. It is highly recommended hiring our licensed experts for the job.
Have your well tested at least once a year for the presence of bacteria. You may not be able to see, smell or taste these contaminants, but they could still be there.
Additionally, have your well water tested occasionally for possible inorganic and organic chemical contaminants.
The best times to sample your well water are:
in early spring just after the thaw
after a long dry spell
following heavy rains
For more information on water testing, visit:
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/Pages/Testing-Your-Drinking-Water-in-Alberta.aspx
Private well owners also have a legal responsibility and a vested interest in properly managing their water wells and protecting groundwater for future generations.
Allow us to seamlessly connect you with one of our trusted local experts, ready to assist you.