Private Water Statistics

As a well owner, you are accountable for making sure that your drinking water is safe.  Many of the pollutants found in well water are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making them hard to detect.  Contaminants that occur naturally in the soil can seep into the water that supplies your well.  Chemicals and fertilizers that are used in areas surrounding a well can also easily pollute the water.  Here are some surprising statistics about private water from the Center for Disease Control.

Maintaining Your Well

In the past, requirements for wells were not as strict, so older wells are more susceptible to contamination. Newer wells are now required to include features such as grout seals, sanitary well caps, and extended casings to help protect against pollutants.  Despite these extra precautions, new wells are still at risk for deterioration and should be inspected regularly to check for damage.

No matter how old your well is, part of responsible well ownership is performing regular maintenance.  This will help to ensure that your well is operating properly and that the quality of your water has not been compromised. Regular well inspections for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of contaminants, will not only protect your water but it will also prolong the life of your well system.

Testing Well Water

You should test well water at least once a year.  If you have a shallow well, less than 100 feet deep, it is recommended that you test at least twice a year. However, you may want to test more often if you have gastrointestinal issues or notice a change in odor, taste, or appearance of your water.

TestAssured makes a kit that is specifically designed to test well water.  The Well Water Testing Kit includes eight tests for a complete water analysis.  You’ll be able to identify the presence of chemicals, metals, and even bacteria like E. coli.

The tests are easy to perform, and you will have results within 10 minutes, with the exception of the bacteria test which must develop for 48 hours.  Everything you need to perform the tests comes with the kit.  There are no chemicals to mix and no samples to send to a lab.

Chlorine, Copper, Nitrates, and Nitrates

The first test you’ll perform with the TestAssured kit is for chlorine, copper, nitrates, and nitrates.  Simply fill the large vial almost to the top with the water from your tap. Remove the test strip labeled CL/CO/NA/NI and swirl it in the water three times, then hold it level for two seconds.  Align the strip with the corresponding color-coded chart to read your results.

Alkalinity, pH, and Hardness

Using the same water sample, the next test in the kit allows you to test well water for alkalinity, pH, and hardness. Take the strip marked AKL/pH/Hard and dip it in the vial for one second. Hold the strip level for ten seconds and then place it on the chart to read the color-coded results.

Iron Test

With the same sample, you can also test well water for iron.  Add the iron reagent tablet to the vial, secure the cap, and shake until the tablet has completely dissolved.  Dip the iron test strip into the vial for two seconds.  Remove the strip and shake once to remove excess water.  Wait 60 seconds and place on the color chart for results.

Bacteria Test

You will need another sample from your tap to test well water for bacteria.  Unwrap the remaining sample vial and stand it upright on a level surface. Carefully twist off the cap without spilling the bacterial growth powder it contains. Fill the vial to the 5ml line, about a ½ inch below the top.  Secure the cap and shake the sample for 20 seconds.  Place the vial upright in a warm area (between 70-90°F) where it will not be disturbed. Wait 48 hours and then check the color of the liquid which indicates the results.

Test Results

Each test is calibrated to the EPA standards.  Once you have your results, compare them to the EPA recommendations and guidelines for water quality. If you have any concerns about the safety of your water, contact your local health department immediately.

The post How to Test Well Water at Home appeared first on .

What Is Distillation?

Historical accounts of water distillation go back to about AD 200 when people distilled drinking water from seawater.  Distillation is a simple process where water is boiled to produce steam.  The steam is then cooled and condensed into water.  Because the contaminants and minerals are not affected by the temperature it takes to boil water, they are left behind.

You can purchase distilled water, but it is also possible to distill water in your home.  A single-unit distiller is a popular choice for home distillation. It works by heating water in a chamber to produce steam.  The steam then moves from the chamber where it cools and condenses back into water.  Any contaminants remain in the chamber.

Mass produced distilled water is typically made in a multiple-effect vapor compression distiller.  These industrial distillers can convert millions of gallons of water in a single day. They use large-scale boiling chambers, connected by tubes, to turn the water into steam. The next phase is a compressor that condenses the steam back to water and releases it into storage chambers.

Uses for Distilled Water

While distillation can purify water for drinking, it also has a number of other specific uses.

• Scientists prefer working with distilled water for its exceptional purity.
• Distilled water lacks ions making it a good choice to fill cooling systems and the lead-acid batteries used in cars.
• Without trace minerals, distilled water works best in model steam engine boilers and other model engines. The lack of minerals improves efficiency and prevents what is known as boiler scale.
• Distilled water is used in aquariums because the chemical disinfectants common in tap water have been removed.
• Cigar aficionados use distilled water in their humidors to prevent mineral buildup and improve effectiveness.
• Homebrewers choose distilled water for its purity. This ensures that brews do not take on unusual flavor characteristics imparted by water impurities.
• CPAP users should use distilled water because it does not leave residue when the device’s humidifier evaporates water.

How Pure is Distilled Water?

The process of distillation heats water into steam, leaving behind much of the particulate matter that is considered contamination.  There are some pollutants that have a lower boiling point than water. During distillation, the process pushes these vapors into the same chamber as the water vapor. The final product that is in the chamber could still contain some contamination.  While distillation does remove impurities, experts recommend a secondary purification method to compliment the distillation.

One way to measure water purity is by determining how much electricity it can conduct.  Electrical conductivity, or resistance, is measured as it passes through two points in the water. Here are some resistance comparisons measured in ohms:

Benefits of Distilled Water

The biggest benefit you can gain from drinking distilled water is that it is cleaner and purer than tap water. Keep in mind that depending on the type of distillation, it may not remove all contaminants.  If testing showed that the original water source was safe for drinking, then distilling will improve the quality, and it will still be safe for drinking.  However, distillation of non-potable water may not produce water that is safe to drink.  The distillation process may not remove certain chemical compounds such as those found in pesticides.

Should You Distill Your Water?

If your tap water comes from a municipal source, workers regularly test it to ensure that it is safe to drink.  Municipalities do not test water from private water sources.  People with private water, such as wells, are responsible for testing their water source.  No matter where your water comes from, the surest way to know what is in it is to test it.  TestAssured offers a variety of testing kits that will show you exactly what is in your water.  If your water is high in minerals or heavy metals, home distillation may be an option to purify your water.

The post Understanding the Difference Between Tap and Distilled Water appeared first on .