Fraud Blocker

We all know that water supports life, but the composition of water from your private well can affect the quality of your life, how you experience your water, and even your home and appliances. At Elder’s Pure Water, we know how important reliable well water service is to residents in the Dallas Fort Worth Westoplex area.

If you’ve recently made a search on the internet for “well water service near me” there’s a good chance that you don’t just need well service but that the quality of your water could also be in jeopardy.

It’s important to address issues like a malfunctioning water pump, low water pressure, or any other issue with your well quickly since all of these things can affect the quality of the water coming into your home.

However, it’s also important to know that the proper flow of water from your well is only one of many issues well owners in the Dallas Fort Worth Westoplex area need to consider when thinking of the health of their water supply.

Is Your Well Dependable?

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) estimates that about 1.75 million wells have been drilled in Texas since 1900, and according to the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (TGPC) 1.3 Million Texans rely on groundwater from private wells for their drinking water.

The quality of residential wells is not regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Texas state law also does not provide any state agency with the authority to regulate the use or production of groundwater.
In most instances, this means that it is the sole responsibility of the well owner to maintain their well system and monitor the quality of its water.

In 2020 there were 3,056 total cases of groundwater contamination in Texas.

Many homeowners in the Dallas Fort Worth Westoplex area depend on their wells to provide quality water to their families. It’s important to know the fundamentals of maintaining a properly functioning well and the quality of water it provides to support healthy and safe households.

Common Issues with Wells

Issues with the System

Inadequate Water Pressure

Low water pressure can happen for multiple reasons. Well pump issues, clogged pipes, sediment buildup, or a dropping water table are all common culprits. Pressure issues aren’t just frustrating, they can affect the efficiency and safety of the water your family uses for drinking, showering, and laundry.

At Elder’s Pure Water, we can help diagnose low water pressure issues and can assist you in navigating pump repair, pump service, new pump installation, and other needed well services.

We also possess extensive expertise in various types of pressure tanks. Our trained technicians can conveniently install a system, guaranteeing optimal water pressure for your home.

If your tank has aged or sustained damage, our skilled experts can efficiently repair or upgrade your system, swiftly restoring pressurized water to your home.

Construction and Well Maintenance Issues

An improperly constructed well can allow potential surface contaminants to enter your well water. Errors in construction could include insufficient casing depth or inadequate sealing. Damaged well caps can also pose a risk to your well water supply. It’s important that you repair any damage promptly.

Your well should also be consistently maintained. Wells not cleaned or serviced regularly are at more risk of contamination from various sources.

Deteriorating well conditions that can impact your overall system performance can also be caused by a lack of regular upkeep and potentially result in worsened well conditions such as casing leaks, damaged well caps, or issues with well components that require additional repair.

Lack of upkeep resulting in damage to your well can also affect the safety of the water entering your home and take a major toll on your finances.

How Often Do You Need Well Water Service?

It is recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that you check your well at least every spring to make sure there are no mechanical issues requiring repair. At Elder’s Pure Water, we’re dedicated to ensuring our customers are connected to the proper resources to obtain their yearly inspections because well problems are the last thing your family needs.

What About Contamination Issues?

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) contamination in private wells can occur both naturally and from human activities. Below are some common types of contamination found in wells:

Surface Level Contamination

Surface contamination is generally caused by runoff from rainwater as it can carry things like fertilizer, pesticides, viruses, bacteria, parasites from animal waste, and chemicals from roads and industrialized areas.

If a well has been damaged or constructed improperly, this type of surface-level contamination can get into the well more easily and affect the water it supplies.

Another common source of surface-level contamination is flooding. Flooding can carry debris, sediment, and microorganisms into your water supply. If you’ve had recent flooding in your area, it’s always a good idea to have your water from your well evaluated.

Underground Contamination

There are a variety of possible underground or subsurface contamination sources. These include but are not limited to abandoned and unplugged wells, damaged or improperly maintained septic tanks, sewage systems, or cesspools. These all have the potential to release bacteria, viruses, and nitrates that are harmful into groundwater.

Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers used in farming can also penetrate the soil and make their way into groundwater. Landfills, waste disposal sites, and underground storage tanks are other common sources that can potentially pollute groundwater.

The most common reported containment in Texas according to TGPC is from petroleum storage tank facilities in heavily populated areas of the state such as Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and El Paso. These contaminants are often released from leaking petroleum storage tanks that include gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products.

Naturally Occurring Contamination

Elements and Minerals found in rock and soil like heavy metals, arsenic, and radon can also break down into groundwater. In areas with high groundwater vulnerability, microorganisms like parasites, viruses, and bacteria can also enter the water supply.

Taste and Quality Concerns

Some naturally occurring elements and contaminants in your well water can cause other potential issues for your health and home.
Hard Water

Hard water is created when groundwater runs down through limestone and chalk deposits and absorbs extra minerals like magnesium and calcium. Hard water can cause a variety of issues in your home.

Hard water can cause scale buildup on your pipes and fixtures and impact the lifespan of your water-using appliances like your washing machine, coffee pot, and water heater. This can impact your finances since it potentially leads to early replacement of appliances.

This same scale buildup can cause the frustrating soap scum that builds up in your sinks and showers. It even causes those pesky spots you notice on your clean dishes. It doesn’t stop there. This scale also binds to your skin and hair, robbing them of their natural oils and causing potential dryness, dullness, and even irritation. Hard water can also cost you in cleaning supplies and soap.

Hard water reduces soap’s ability to lather ultimately making it less effective. This means more soap is needed to get the job done when washing dishes, laundry, and even your body.

Imbalanced pH

The acidity or alkalinity of water is determined by its pH. Water quality is highly dependent on a balanced pH. Issues in pH can cause many potential problems.

Plumbing fixtures can be corroded by water that is too acidic or alkaline. This can lead to leaking pipes, potential metal contamination in your drinking water, and scaling on your pipes and fixtures.

pH levels can also impact the clarity and taste of your water. It might appear cloudy or have a funny taste. Water that is highly acidic or alkaline can also affect the body’s natural pH balance. This can lead to potential gastrointestinal issues or other health concerns.

Unpleasant Taste and Smell
Water should not have a noticeable smell. If your water smells off-putting or has a bad taste, there’s a good chance it contains potential contaminants. Organic matter, decaying vegetation, sulfur, bacteria, and elevated levels of minerals are all potential culprits. No one enjoys bad-tasting water, but it’s also important to note that not all contaminants have a taste or smell.

It’s Important to Test Your Water Supply

The only way to know what is in your water is to have a professional test it. Working with an expert like Elder’s Pure Water ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, but it can also help you identify issues early and allow for possible interventions to help ensure safer, higher-quality water from your well.

How Often Is Testing Your Water Supply Recommended?

The CDC recommends testing for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels at least once per year.

If you think there may be other contaminants, it is good to test for those as well, but consulting a local expert is a good idea since some of these tests can be expensive. The local health department or a professional like Elder’s Pure Water will know about potential contaminants of concern in your area.

It’s also a good idea to have your water tested if there have been recent flooding or land disturbances near your well, if you’ve had any recent maintenance done on your well or any part of your well system, or if you have noticed recent changes in the way your water tastes, looks or smells.

What Type of Treatment System is Best for My Well?

There are a variety of treatment systems used when treating well water including sediment filters, iron breakers, ultra-violet sterilization systems, carbon filters, water softening systems, and reverse osmosis systems.

Each type of treatment system serves a different purpose and each type is not always necessary when treating well water. It’s also imperative that each system is installed in the correct order to prevent damage and to ensure that your water is treated properly.

For example, if your water supply is high in iron, an iron breaker would be used before the softening system. Allowing iron to enter a softening system will damage the resin bed and would also require more frequent cleaning and replacement costing you more money.

A certified water treatment professional at Elder’s Pure Water can help you discover and properly treat issues like high iron in your water to ensure you do not reduce the capacity of your water softening system.

Water is Complicated

When it comes to water and water treatment systems there is no one size fits all approach. That’s why it’s so important to have your water tested regularly, but it’s also important to work with a professional who knows how to interpret those results and how to treat your water based on the science around that test.

Your friends who have a well down the road may require a different approach to their water treatment than you do.

Trusting the Professionals at Elder’s

We know the water in the Dallas Fort Worth Westoplex area intimately. Our team has over 10 years of experience serving our community.

We can provide or recommend service on your well or provide a system that is right for your water, your family, and your budget based on your test results and your personal preferences.

We can also help with maintenance on your current system to ensure it’s functioning at the proper capacity and that it gets the most out of its lifespan.

Call us today at 817-631-4967 to explore your options for safer, more enjoyable water from your well.