How to Ensure a Reliable Water Supply at Home

Accessing dependable and safe water for every household is vital. Whether your water source is a well, or municipality, it’s worthwhile to know how to protect it. The combination of delegation for maintenance and planning considerations for seasonal elements will provide a peace of mind investment throughout the year. Just because you are comfortable with a remediation doesn’t mean everyone is, and when you and your family are looking for a quality, local well pump installation service, you are taking your first step into your reliable water supply system. 

While these remediation activities are in the works, water or hardness and sediment changes (for example, a sudden increase in hard water or sediment) may indicate a remediation is needed. Neglecting what seems like a simple water quality issue may lead to an ongoing issue of supply reliability, and most not put much regard into water quality. With that said, homeowners should reflect on how they will take a serious stance of holistic care on water quality; will you care for water on a routine basis? will you care for season issues? will you care for what happens when an emergency occurs?

Understanding Your Water Source

The source of water makes up the basis of the reliability of water for your home. Homeowners typically depend on either a municipal supply of water, or a private well. Although municipal supplies are typically treated and regulated, you must still educate yourself regarding local advisory announcements.

However, private wells completely rely on the owner for responsibility of safe drinking water. Performing assessments of your well regularly and having routine maintenance is essential to ensuring clean water access and avoiding contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a regular check of wells mostly after severe weather or major construction in close proximity. 

Regular Maintenance of Plumbing Systems

Routine maintenance is preventative care for the water system of your entire home. Over time, plumbing systems can fail, build up sediment, and lose integrity with the pipes and connections. You can tell a lot about the integrity of the entire plumbing system by looking at exposed pipes, joints, and fixtures to see if there is surface rust or corrosion. You should also be cleaning faucet aerators and shower heads at least every 6 months, so water flows freely and to reduce mineral buildup.

If you have washers or leaky connections, it is best to change them immediately as it keeps the water pressure high, minimizes wasteful use, and saves on utility costs. If you access water from a well, you should also have your well pump and pressure tank service every few years by a professional to keep the equipment running at optimal function and lifespan.

Testing Water Quality

Many factors, including environmental conditions, aging plumbing, or a change in land use in the surrounding area, influence the quality of the water in your home.Whether you rely on city water or a private well, proper maintenance and well pump installation Raleigh services can greatly impact water safety and reliability.

Testing the water is the only way to determine the presence of invisible threats such as bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, or heavy metals like lead. You should conduct testing for bacteria and nitrates annually, and then test for lead and/or other metals every 3–5 years, especially if you live in a home with older plumbing.You have the option to buy a DIY testing kit, or you can work with a certified professional who conducts a more complete analysis.

Installing Appropriate Water Filters

Water filtering is a specific solution to treat the contaminants identified in the testing. For example, a carbon pitcher filter may remove chlorine and improve the baseline taste, but you may want an advanced solution like a reverse osmosis system or a whole house filter system if you found lead or pesticides from the sampling of your tap water.

Always select a solution that’s certified by an independent or trusted organization (NSF International, Water Quality Association, etc.) that meets your home contaminant removal goal. No matter how great a product may work, it is important to change any filter cartridges regularly. This assures that the device continues to work effectively. By doing this, you are not consuming contaminated drinking water over time, regardless of the initial level of the contaminant that was found.

Preventing Pipe Freezing in Winter

Water systems face their own challenges in the winter months, as freezing temperatures may cause pipes to burst, resulting in the loss of water and costly repairs. Insulate all pipes in unheated areas—such as basements, crawl spaces, and garages.

On very cold nights, let the faucets drip to keep the water moving inside the pipes—this simple practice may prevent them from freezing. Outdoor hoses should be removed and drained, and the exterior faucets should be insulated with insulated faucet covers. The New York Times Wirecutter says that monitoring the temperatures and doing seasonal checks may prevent home water disasters and costly water damage.

Protecting Against Outdoor Contaminants

Pollutants generated by external activities (e.g., lawn treatments, washing your vehicle, or improperly disposing of waste or chemicals) can be washed into your water supply. Properly sealed private wells decrease the likelihood of surface runoff contaminating your water supply. It is also decreased by placing the well away from septic tanks, livestock, or chemical storage.

The use of native plants and decreased use of chemicals to enhance your landscape can also help protect groundwater resources that potentially supply your well. Mindfully try to use environmentally friendly products whenever possible, particularly near storm drains. You can also think about installing a rain garden to minimize runoff and filter contaminants before they infiltrate groundwater resources.

Emergency Preparedness for Water Supply

Natural disasters, power failures, or city line repair can quickly interrupt water access. A little preparation goes a long way. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day and at least for three days. Don’t forget purification tablets, as well as a portable water filter, in your emergency kit. Know other ways to purify raw water by boiling it, bleaching it, or using portable filters.

Staying Informed and Proactive

A trusted water supply relies on being informed about threats and other risks to reliable service; system improvements, and about any local water quality reports. Sign up to receive updates from your water utility or community well association. Attend community meetings on water quality and related infrastructure upgrades. Read and review any materials you find from organizations advising water quality.

When you receive or read materials, tell your household so everyone will be informed, and whenever possible back your statements with credible documentation. When a household-purchaser introduces preventative efforts, and relevant education as a part of living arrangements; your peace of mind about the water supply, is acknowledged no matter the time of year or season.