Water Quality Basics
General topics about water quality
15 articles
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 how 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.