Pros and Cons: Private Wells

Not counting the electricity that you need to pump well water into the house and water treatment services costs, water that comes from a private well is practically free. Apart from that, the water is not chlorinated or fluoridated. Yet as nice as all this might sound, there are some aspects of well water that can make you think twice. Here are some of the pros and cons of well water.

Advantages of Having a Well

One of the most significant advantages of well water is that it’s healthy. If you know how to keep your well water secured from contaminants, it will likely remain fresh and clean. Apart from that, underground water is also known for containing several healthy minerals and nutrients.

A well also gives you a safe water supply. This means that even if an accident occurs, you will still be guaranteed that you will have a water supply to survive. Of course, your ability to access well water during a natural disaster is dependent on several things.

If you are still not convinced, another reason why a well might be a good idea is that it helps you save money. With well water, there are no bills to pay. Once you finish installing a well on your property, the water supply that comes to your home no longer depends on the city, so you won’t be billed.

Disadvantages of Having a Well

While having a well on your property certainly has a lot of advantages, it also comes with several limitations. For instance, to get the water from your well to your household, you will need some electricity. This means if you have a problem with your electricity, you will have to go without water as well.

Apart from the electricity issue, another challenge of working with a well is that it can get contaminated. In 2009, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) discovered that 23% of the 2,000 private wells evaluated had at least one contaminant at a level that could cause health issues. Victims of water contamination may seek the services of a civil litigation attorney to help them file a lawsuit. 

Naturally, you can keep contaminants out by employing proper maintenance and testing the water periodically. All you need to keep in mind is that since your water is not connected to the city, it means you are responsible for the water treatment services.

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of well water. It’s crucial to ensure that you test your water and hire water treatment services from time to time.