THE SKILLINGS BLOG

The term “fracking” has been in the news a lot lately, with people discussing the pros and cons of using hydraulic fracturing when drilling for natural gas. What few people know is that a completely different kind of fracking is being used to improve home water supply flow. If your water pressure has diminished or your well runs out of water, it may be a good candidate for hydrofracking.

One of the most common questions people ask the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is how much water in a well is adequate for the average home. It is an important factor when considering building or purchasing a home and, as the NHDES says, the amount of water available in a well can be as important as the quality of the water. It is also important to consider flow rate when buying or building a new home. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires 3 to 5 gallons per minute for older wells and a rate of 5 gallons per minute for new wells to pass inspection.

As a private well owner, it is your responsibility to maintain your water supply. Along with annual testing, you should periodically have your well systems checked to determine its overall health.