Water Quality
Contaminants, parameters, water quality basics
48 articles
Specific Contaminants
Find articles about a particular contaminant such as lead, nitrates, etc.
- What is nitrate, and what should I know about nitrate in my well water?
- What is hydrogen sulfide, and what should I know about hydrogen sulfide in my well water?Does your water smell like rotten eggs? Check out this article to find out why and how you can treat it.
- What is Legionella, and what should I know about Legionella in my well water?Learn about Legionella and private wells.
- What is manganese, and what should I know about manganese in my well water?Find out what manganese is, how it affects your well, and how you can treat for it.
- What is copper, and what should I know about copper in my well water?Learn why testing for copper is important, what the safe level is, and how to treat for it.
- What is arsenic, and what should I know about arsenic in my well water?Discover how arsenic gets into your well water and how to treat it to keep your family safe.
- What are maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), and what do they have to do with well water?Understand how these regulated amounts of contaminants for public water systems can help ensure that your well water is safe to drink.
- What is coliform bacteria, and what should I know about coliform bacteria in my well water?Understand how coliform bacteria can be an indicator of serious problems with your water well.
- What is radon, and what do I need to know about radon and my well water?While radon in well water is rare, check out this article for more information if you are concerned.
- What is lead, and what should I know about lead in my well water?Find out why lead is your well water is so dangerous and how to make sure your water is lead-free.
- What is iron, and what should I know about iron in my well water?Explore how iron affects your well and water quality.
- What are total dissolved solids (TDS), and what should I know about TDS in my well water?Find out what total dissolved solids are and how TDS can affect your well water.
- What are total suspended solids (TSS), and how does TSS affect my well water?Learn about what total suspended solids (TSS) are and how TSS is different than turbidity and TDS.
- What is saltwater intrusion?Discover how freshwater aquifers supplying coastal communities are at risk from excessive pumping and rising sea-levels.
- What are sediments, and what should I know about sediments in my well water?Learn how sediments can affect your well, and what to do if they are present in your well water.
- What is iron bacteria, and how is it treated?Learn about iron bacteria and how to treat these nuisances.
- 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.
- What are pesticides, and how do pesticides affect well water?Learn more about pesticides and when to test your well water.
- Do road salts have an effect on well water?Learn how road salts can enter a private well and what effects chlorides can have on well water.
- Are PFAS chemicals a possible concern with private wells?Understand what PFAS chemicals are, when to test, and how to treat for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
- What is methane, and how does methane affect my well water?Discover the signs that you have methane in your well water and how to know how to keep your family safe from this flammable gas.
- What are microplastics, and what should I know about microplastics in my well water?Understand what microplastics are and what to do if you are concerned about them in your well water.
- What is beryllium, and how does it affect well water?Learn more about what to do if you live in an area where beryllium in your well water may be a concern.
- What is sulfate, and how does it affect well water?Learn about these salts and what to do if they are in your well water.
- What is fluoride, and how does it affect well water?Learn how too much or too little fluoride in your well water can cause dental issues and how to test and treat for it.
- What are protozoa, and how do they affect well water?Learn more about these microorganisms that include Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
- What are tannins, and how do they affect well water?Learn what tannins are and how you can determine if they are a problem in your well.
- What is radium, and what should I know about radium in my well water?Learn about the dangers of radium in your well water.
- What is cadmium, and what should I know about cadmium in my well water?Learn about cadmium and its potential health risks.
- What is mercury, and what should I know about mercury in my well water?Learn about mercury and how it affects well water.
- What is silica, and what should I know about silica in my well water?Learn about silica and how it can cause scaling, deposits, and discoloration.
- What is barium, and what should I know about barium in my well water?Learn why testing for barium is important, what the safe level is, and how to treat for it.
- What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and what should I know about VOCs in my well water?Learn what VOCs are, when to test, and how to treat.
Water Quality Basics
General topics about water quality
- What is turbidity, and how does it affect my well water?Discover what causes the cloudiness in your well water, how it affects your well water, and how to treat it.
- Why is my well water discolored?Learn why well water can sometimes be yellow/orange, brown/murky, red, blue/green, white/milky or even oily in appearance.
- Can my well water stain my sink, toilet, or laundry?If you notice a discoloration on your sink, in your toilet, or on your laundry, check out this article to learn the possible causes.
- How do groundwater wells get contaminated?Wells can become polluted by the natural environment or by peoples' actions.
- How do I know if my water is safe to drink?Learn why testing your well is the only way to know if your water is clean.
- How do I protect my well water quality?Prevent contamination through proper setbacks (including an easy-to-read diagram), how your well is built, and other tips.
- What pH should my well water be?
- Why does my water taste funny? Why does my water smell bad?Learn about the different causes of water that tastes or smells off and what do to do to determine what is causing it.
- What is dissolved oxygen, and how does it affect my well water?Understand what dissolved oxygen is and why it is important to test the levels in your well water.
- What is water quality, and how does it affect my well water?Learn about how water quality is measured.
- Should I use fertilizers and pesticides around my well?Learn how to safely use fertilizers and pesticides near your water well.
- What is fracking, and can oil and gas drilling near my water well affect it?Understand how the process of extracting natural gas and oil can affect water wells.
- What should a well owner know about water chemistry?Learn what water chemistry is and how it plays a role in the overall quality of your well water.
- What is an emerging contaminant?Understand what emerging contaminants are and why they are a concern. Includes examples that affect private water wells.
- What causes hard water, and is it harmful?Understand what leads to hard water and what negative effects it has on your private well system.