If you depend on a well for your drinking water, maintaining quality groundwater conditions should be a top priority. While well monitoring services can identify when something is wrong with your groundwater, learning to recognize key warning signs will help you determine when the water is unsafe.

Top 3 Signs That You Have Contaminated Well Water

1. Unusual Color, Smell, & Taste

Any time you notice a change in your drinking water’s color, taste, or smell, you should enlist the help of a professional well monitoring team. Such changes are often indicators of abnormally high levels of certain minerals, dirt in the pump, or other issues. For example, reddish-brown water typically means there is iron leaking into the water, which can stain water fixtures.

2. Proximity to Agricultural Runoff

Wells should never be located downhill from agricultural fields, especially where herbicides and fertilizers are used. Unfortunately, the nitrates that are found in many of these products don’t have a discernible smell or taste. Groundwater sampling should be performed regularly if your well is located near possible sources of contamination, as nitrates can cause significant harm to young children and pregnant women.

3. Damaged Well Cap

Well caps and covers are placed aboveground and serve a vital role in protecting well water from contaminants. A damaged or improperly sealed well cap makes it easier for harmful runoff to enter your drinking supply. Worse still, insects or animals could crawl in and get trapped, where their decomposition could cause serious health issues. If your well cap is damaged, get it repaired, and test your water right away.

From well monitoring to drilling, GeoTek Alaska has you covered with a wide range of geophysical services. Based out of Anchorage, AK, they serve the entire state with smaller rigs and state-of-the-art equipment that allows them to get to remote locations. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (907) 569-5900.