A customer in Brighton, MI recently called to say they have no water and a well drilling company had been out to look at the same problem a few days earlier. They couldn't get in contact with the well company, that day, so they asked if we could help. We had them by-pass all the water treatment equipment, while on the phone with them, and they immediately had water but very low pressure. We promptly went to the home to asses the problem. Apparently, the well company had re-pressurized the bladder and adjusted the pressure switch higher as the believed that was the problem. This customer has an AIO filtration system and water softener to treat high iron and hydrogen sulfide along with extremely hard water. While assessing the problem it was apparent there was a bigger problem then just low air in the bladder tank. We disconnected the iron filtration system and discovered the inlet was totally plugged with gravel. Luckily the check valve, on the inlet to the AIO, had stopped all the gravel from getting into the filtration system. Consequently, very low water pressure.
We ran both the outside hoses to flush what we could out of the well tank and lines. After a short burst of gravel and discolored water, everything looked fine. We then attempted to flush the inlet lines to the water treatment system and discovered they were totally blocked with gravel and sediment. After ten minutes of repeated flushing and cleaning out gravel, the water finally started to clear up. Then we started to getting particles floating on the water? Earwig parts! Now we had another problem! We inspected the wellhead and discovered the cap was very loose. The seal was bad and the well was full of earwigs and spiders!
 |
| Example of an insect-infested well. |
 |
| A bad seal or cracked well cap can cause big problems! |
At this point, we have to shut the well down because it's not safe to use. Earwigs carry coliform bacteria and have become a big problem contaminating water in wells that have not been maintained properly. The screen on this particular well was bad causing the gravel problem. We referred them to a reputable well company that came out that day. The pump needed to be replaced, the well was power flushed (With air and water) and chlorinated, along with the house, to assure no bacteria were present. We then sanitized all of our equipment and re-bed the iron filtration system. A water sample was sent to a third party water lab to certify the well as bacteria free and safe to drink.
The moral of this story? Don't take your well or your water for granted. Every well should be inspected, a minimum of every three years, and water tested for bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, etc.
Water Check is an excellent source for water testing and offers a variety of water testing kits mailed to your home. If you haven't had your water tested I suggest you consider it. Even just to have a good base reference for future testing.
Knowing your water is safe for you and your family brings peace of mind and a better quality of life for everyone.
Update 4/29/18: I just had my semi-annual water test done and discovered coliform bacteria in "my water"! I have a 22-year-old well that had a bad seal on the cap. As they say now "My Bad". No using water for two days as the well gets sanitized and flushed. Then sanitizing the house and all the water treatment equipment, Iron filter, water softener, and reverse osmosis drinking water system, for another day.
You know the expression "Happy Wife, Happy Life"? I can assure you now you don't want to test that expression!
Below you will find links to important information related to topics in this article:
Homeowners Guide to Your Well.
Insect in Water Wells
Well Care Information Sheets
Well Care Information: Well Caps
www.beauchampwater.com
Good Water, Good Life!
Beauchamp Water Treatment and Supply
872 N Old US 23 Brighton, MI 48114
810 632 2000
No comments :
Post a Comment