THE SKILLINGS BLOG

In New England, it is not uncommon for a home to draw its water from a private well. Depending on the state and town you live in, well water may actually be the prevalent method for providing water to homes in your community. According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 46 percent of state residents draw water from a private well. Compare this to the national average of 15 percent, and it’s clear that people in the business of selling homes must know their stuff when it comes to private water wells.

If you live in New Hampshire and your home’s water comes from a private well, there may be iron or manganese in your drinking water. Both of these minerals occur naturally in the soil, often dissolving into groundwater as acidic rainfall trickles through the soil and rock. Iron or manganese cause staining on your laundry and water fixtures, gives your water a metallic or sulfur taste, clogs strainers, valves or other plumbing parts, or can leave an oily or “crusty” sheen to the surface of your water.

If you own a home with a residential water well or private residential water system, having a good relationship with a well service and water system company can ensure proper long-term care of the system and provide a little peace of mind if an emergency should arise.

It is not unusual for homeowners to see a few air bubbles appear in a glass of water poured from the kitchen faucet. However, there are some instances where larger amounts of bubbles similar to effervescence will appear in the glass. There are both naturally occurring and mechanical reasons for these small white bubbles, many of which pose no health risks. There are some causes that could be problematic and may require water testing to rule out.