(NAPSI)—If you’re one of the estimated 34 million Americans who use well water, you may be pleased to know there’s a fount of information about the care and maintenance of your well available to you.
Private well owners are responsible for their water systems, and now have an unprecedented number of practical online tools and resources that can help them be good managers of their wells and water. This help spans proper well construction, water testing and water treatment to well system maintenance and groundwater protection.
Where To Turn
These resources are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership through partners including the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), the University of Illinois (UI) and the Water Systems Council (WSC).
What You Can Learn
UI’s www.PrivateWellClass.org provides:
• 10 e-mail lessons on groundwater science, emergencies, finding help, water testing and treatment, and well construction, operation and maintenance
• 16 short videos on similar topics
• Recorded webinars
• Podcasts.
On WSC’s www.WaterSystemsCouncil.org you can find:
• A HELP emergency response public service announcement, video, and Web materials
• A well regulations report
• A well owner’s manual
• Five different Wellcare® brochures
• Its telephone hotline, (888) 395-1033
• A Wellcare® newsletter.
On NGWA’s www.WellOwner.org you can find:
• 17 short lessons on well construction and maintenance, water testing and treatment, and more
• 15 recorded webinars covering the same topics
• A well financing video
• A well owner app
• A well owner’s manual
• Monthly e-mail tip sheets
• A directory of water well and water treatment professionals
• A directory of drinking water testing laboratories
• Answers to frequently asked questions. For example, the following:
Question: Should I test water from my water treatment system periodically?
Answer: Yes. First, check the water treatment system owner’s manual for recommendations on water testing. If you do not have that information, contact the manufacturer or go online to see if you can find the maintenance information for your product’s make and model.
Generally, treated water should be tested after the treatment system is installed to make sure it is working. You can also test the water after the treatment system is serviced to make sure it is working properly. Another reason to test is if the treatment system has not been maintained according to the product maintenance recommendations. Neglecting maintenance such as the timely replacement or cleaning of a filter could impair the treatment system’s effectiveness.
The site also offers quizzes with such questions as this one:
Question: A breach in a well system at or near the surface that can cause turbid water is:
a) A hole or break in the well casing
b) A broken, missing or unsecured well cap
c) Deteriorated grouting that has allowed surface runoff to infiltrate the well
d) All of the above.
The correct answer is d), all of the above—a hole or break in the casing; a broken, missing or unsecured well cap; and deteriorated grouting.