Arizona residents may have to deal with contaminated well water due to PFAS, industrial activity, fertilizer runoffs, septic issues, and natural mineral deposits from the geology makeup.
However, homeowners can practice Arizona well water safety by managing surface runoff, sealing the well’s surface, protecting the surrounding area, and having regular well inspections.
As the University of Arizona noted, arsenic contamination in groundwater is a global problem and an ongoing challenge in Arizona.
High exposure to this chemical has been linked to cancer.
Failure to practice regular water safety and well protection can affect your family’s health, hygiene, and create preventable expenses due to damage to your well-pumping system.
Why Is My Well Contaminated?
Arizona water contamination may be a result of the state’s natural geographic makeup.
Local rocks and soil are naturally abundant in elements such as arsenic, uranium, and fluoride.
Waterborne pathogens can also creep in through sewer lines and poorly sealed well heads.
Not having protected surroundings, like sloped areas, for your well can also make it susceptible to contaminants.
After all, surface runoff can carry contaminants from fertilizer, animal dung on farms, dirt from the streets, and industrial sites, which can all seep into groundwater.
Signs to Watch For
Taste: A clear sign of compromised water is a disgusting taste.
It may taste metallic, bitter, salty, or even soapy.
Smell: You may notice a fishy or chemical smell.
Some people also report a rotten egg smell.
Color: Water contamination can be obvious through discoloration as pure water should be clear.
It may appear in a range of colors ranging from green to yellow to red to brown.
Water may be cloudy or murky. You may also notice visible particles circulating in it.
Fixture Buildup: Pay attention to your fixtures and pipes.
Contamination may show through scales or scum around fixture openings.
Water may also have an oily sheen on the surface.
Digestion Problems: Digestion issues are a common side effect of contaminated water.
Some people may have intense stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea.
Body aches, fever, and fatigue may appear in flu-like symptoms.
Skin conditions, such as rashes or irritation, may also happen after showering in dirty water.
What Steps Can Fix This Issue?
If your water has been compromised, don’t drink or cook with anymore tap water until the problem is solved.
Immediately call a professional so they can run tests to identify the contaminant through proper testing.
A local expert may test for:
- Nitrates
- Arsenic
- Bacteria
- Local industrial chemicals
Make sure you have a functional casing to cover the well that won’t allow such chemicals or bacteria to creep in.
How Professionals Handle Cleaning Contaminated Wells
Once a professional has diagnosed the issue, it may be time for a well cleaning.
It’s a multi-step process that can involve mechanical and chemical methods to remove mineral buildup, debris, biofilm, and particles to restore water quality.
The process often includes:
- Clearing surface debris
- Pumping out water to remove bottom sediment
- Mechanical cleaning by way of scrubbing, jetting, or hydro-racking
- Chemical treatments such as chlorine or hydrochloric acid
To protect the well from further contamination, experts may also advise regrading the area to ensure surface water doesn’t invade your well again.
How Can I Prevent Contaminated Water in the Future?
Regular testing by a professional should happen annually.
Seal all cracks and leaks, and start working on the surrounding area to prevent water vulnerability.
Create a slope and remove or trim anything overhead that may drop debris into the well.
A home water filtration system can further protect your water consumption.
Private well owners may consider using UV filtration, which kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria.
Expect to change your UV lamp annually for ideal effectiveness.
If water testing shows pesticides or VOCs, you may want to install an activated carbon filtration system.
Reverse osmosis is good for water systems that often contain nitrates or heavy metals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contaminated Well Water
What To Do If My Well Water Is Contaminated?
In addition to scheduling a visit from your well professional, you may want to contact your local Health Department.
Avoid brushing teeth, cooking, bathing, and drinking from your well water source.
If you don’t have access to bottled or other clean water, boil water for at least a minute.
How Much Does It Cost to Decontaminate a Well?
Your well professional may “shock the well,” which is a process that involves adding chlorine to it.
Doing so allows it to circulate through the system and destroy contaminants.
The price for this process can cost from $80-$200, according to Angi.
The type of well, its depth, and the amount of required labor can all affect the final price.
Additionally, one chlorine treatment may not be enough to solve the problem if follow-up tests reveal more bacteria and viruses present.
Therefore, you may have to pay the full cost for another treatment.
How Long After Drinking Contaminated Water Do You Get Sick?
The type of illness you have and how long it takes to show up depend on the pathogen you’ve been exposed to.
For example, it could take anywhere from 1 to 10 days to show signs of Salmonella or E.coli.
In 2 to 10 days after exposure to Giardia, symptoms of watery diarrhea may appear.
It can take as long as 15 to 45 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to Hepatitis A.
Don’t Live with Arizona Water Contamination
Exposure to contaminated water isn’t something to take lightly.
After all, clean water is essential for health, hygiene, home cleanliness, cooking, and so on.
Arizona residents may have natural exposure to water contaminants based on Arizona’s geographic makeup, a crack in the well or sealing, or poor landscape design around the well.
If you show any signs of exposure to contaminated well water, don’t hesitate to contact your local well professional, as the experts at Pump It Up, Pump Service, Inc. can help.
Our trained professionals conduct water testing, well installation, and ongoing maintenance to ensure your home has clean water as soon as possible.
Contact Pump It Up, Pump Service, Inc., today for help.
We’re ready to answer questions about your Arizona well water needs.
Trusted Water Well Pump Install Company in Tonopah
Trust Pump It Up Pump Services, Inc. for professional water well pump installation services in Tonopah. Our experienced team delivers reliable, efficient installations to ensure consistent water flow and long-lasting performance for your property.
Call 623-582-5069 or request service online today!