Weather Issues That Affect Your Water Well

Water, as plentiful as it may seem when looking at a map of the world's broad oceans, large lakes, and network of rivers and streams, is still a very finite resource. Perhaps no one knows this better than the homeowners whose families are dependent upon a privately-owned water well to supply their water usage needs.

What these homeowners may not know, however, is that severe weather conditions, including both drought and flooding, can damage their well and interrupt their family's access to safe water.

HOW PERIODS OF DROUGHT AFFECTS YOUR WATER WELL

Rainfall, along with melting snow and ice, provides the moisture that becomes groundwater, filtering down into the underground aquifers that supply modern water wells. According to information provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), groundwater directly supplies as much as 97 percent of the rural households who are not connected to some type of municipal or county water system.

When rainfall ceases or falls well below normal and drought conditions occur, the underground water table can also fall, especially if pumping rates from area wells remain the same. If the drought lasts for an extended time, the water table may fall below the level of the well pump, causing it to be unable to pump water and essentially, go dry.

Homeowners who face a drought situation can take proactive measures to help reduce pumping pressure and prevent wells in their area from going dry, including:

Forming a community action group to educate area residents on the need to conserve water and reduce pumping pressure
Installing low-flow shower heads and repairing any leaks that may be wasting water
Stopping any unnecessary water use, such as irrigating the lawn or washing the car

Homeowners should also consider having their well components checked by a professional during a drought situation. Doing this will ensure that the pump is not trying to draw water unnecessarily due to a waterlogged pressure tank or an issue with a control switch.

WHAT HAPPENS TO A WATER WELL DURING A FLOOD

Just as too little water can affect the performance and health of a water well, too much water can also prove disastrous. Tennessee residents have weathered severe flooding several times in the past decade alone, with those occurring in 2010 and 2016 being some of the most damaging in terms of life and property.

Rural residents who depend on water wells are wise to be concerned about flooding, especially if they live in a known floodplain area. When floodwaters cover the ground above where a drilled well is located, the water can drain down through the pipe and into the aquifer that feeds the well.

Since floodwaters are potentially filled with contaminants, including human or animal feces, the well becomes contaminated and unsafe to drink. Homeowners who experience flooding that impacts their drilled well should immediately stop drinking water from it and rely on bottled water instead. If bottled water is not available, the well water can be filtered and purified for safety.

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests purifying unsafe water by heating it to a rolling boil for at least one full minute, then cooling to a safe temperature before using it for human consumption or hygiene. Water from the tap will not be potable until the entire well has been disinfected and tested to ensure it is safe to drink.

Flood waters that rise enough to cover the well head, pressure tank, filters, or electrical controls of a private well can damage these components or make them inoperable.

At Henry Drilling LLC , we know that safe drinking water is critical for your family's health. We welcome your questions about caring for your water well, whether it’s during a drought, a flood, or just something related to routine maintenance.

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