Middleburg VA Well Water Test
Many a new homeowner has contacted SES to inspect the well that comes with their new home purchase in Middleburg VA. Well water testing and inspections are truly an important first step to ensure your family has safe water for drinking and bathing. Often there is little information about how the well was first installed or its maintenance.
Here are some things we often find when inspecting wells:
- The well was built too close to potential sources of contamination such as a septic tank or barnyard. Wells should be at least 100 yards from any such sources.
- In some cases, we find a cross connection between the plumbing system and the septic system, which in turn can cause contamination.
- Many older homes have dug and/or shallow wells that easily allow bacteria in surface water to seep into the well. (An aside, these wells may not yield enough water for modern usage in Middleburg VA.) Well water testing identifies the types of bacteria.
- The well casing does not extend deep enough to mitigate risks of bacteria intrusion that has not filtered out adequately. Contaminated surface water can also enter the top of the well if it does not extend far enough above the ground.
- Wells were dug and lined with brick or stone that has not been well-sealed. Many wells surprisingly have unsealed covers.
- Where the well terminates is also important. If there is flooding around that area, bacteria-carrying water can cause seepage back into the well.
- Wells over 20 years of age often have lots of corrosion and possibly cracks that allow contaminated surface water to pass through the casing.
- Some older wells have what we call “stove-pipe” casing, which is sub-standard material for keeping bacteria out of the water.
- Loose well caps are allowing bugs and rodents into the well and they leave behind lots of bacteria.
Some of the situations we have described here may require complete replacement of your well in Middleburg VA. Well water testing will show how bad the contamination may be. The defects may not be repaired adequately to assure a reliable supply of good quality water.