5 Things You Need to Know About Well Water
The water that comes up from your well contains more than simple H2O. There are plenty of dissolved minerals lurking in that liquid. Filtered through limestone, it contains magnesium and calcium. It can pick up traces of iron, aluminum, and manganese. All of those minerals create “hard” water. Hard water creates all types of problems.
Let’s look at five things you need to know about the water coming up from your well.
Hard water can contribute to bacterial contamination
The minerals in hard water can gather in the small nooks and crannies in your plumbing. These accumulated particles create a place for bacteria to start growing. With time, that bacteria could contaminate your water and become a health hazard.
Sediment deposits may be clogging your pipes and drains
Hard water can create scale deposits along the inside walls of pipes. As these scales build up, they provide a place for grease, hair, and other debris to catch. If enough of the scales and debris gather in one spot, you may start having clogs in your pipes or drains.
Hard water can taste or smell funny
Iron leaves a metallic taste in water. Bacterial growth can create a sulfur smell, as can hydrogen sulfide gas. Algae blooms can leave a moldy taste in the mouth. If your water smells or tastes funny, get a plumber in as soon as possible.
Your clothes may not be as clean as you think
The minerals in hard water do not like to mingle with soap. So, the soap you add to your hard water wash may not be doing its job properly. This leads to dirt buildup on clothing, causing them to appear dingy and wear out faster.
Hard water can cause skin irritation
Minerals attract moisture. When the minerals are present on your skin after a shower or bath in hard water, they can draw the moisture out, leaving your skin dry and irritated. Research indicates that this type of skin irritation may actually contribute to the development of eczema.