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What are heavy metals, and how do heavy metals affect well water?
What are heavy metals, and how do heavy metals affect well water?

Learn why it is important to know about heavy metals and how to prevent heavy metals from entering your well.

Updated over 11 months ago

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Heavy metals are metallic elements with high atomic weights, such as mercury, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and lead. They can enter your water well through various sources, including industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and leaching from underground storage tanks. Exposure to heavy metals in drinking water can have adverse health effects, such as neurological disorders, kidney damage, and developmental problems, especially in children.

Regular testing of your well water is crucial to identify the presence of heavy metals. You can contact a certified laboratory to conduct tests for routine well water quality parameters, including heavy metals. If heavy metals are detected in your well water, there are treatment options available to remove or reduce their concentration.

To minimize the risk of heavy metal contamination in your water well, it is important to implement preventive measures. These may include proper disposal of hazardous materials, regular maintenance of your well system, and monitoring nearby industrial activities.

If you have questions about heavy metals in your location, consult with a water quality specialist, well contractor, or relevant professionals for specific guidance tailored to your situation.

Want to learn more about your private well and how to care for it?

Sign up for the free 10-week email course from PrivateWellClass.org. The class is a project of RCAP and the University of Illinois, with funding from USEPA.

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