WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) advises household well owners to learn good water well maintenance practices due to poorly maintained water well systems potentially resulting in reduced water quality, according to a press release.
"Neglecting a water well system's maintenance can have a direct impact on one's health, so it's important to stay on top of a water well system's maintenance," said NGWA Public Awareness Director Cliff Treyens.
If well systems are not adequately maintained, bacteria may enter the well — especially if the system’s sanitary seals, such as the well’s cap, are deteriorated, damaged or loose — which can cause gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or in some cases depending on the type of bacteria, for example E. coli, can result in severe illness or fatality, stated the release.
NGWA recommends periodic water well maintenance inspections conducted by a licensed water well professional, to help ensure that the well system is operating properly and to prolong the useful life of the well, continued the release.
Indicators that well maintenance might be needed are cloudy water, taste or odor problems, a decrease in the amount of water the pump can supply to the system, or a positive water test for bacteria, noted the release.
Read the rest of the release here.