When the water stands idle in the pipes for more than a few hours, it can absorb lead from old lead pipes, lead-soldered copper pipes, or brass plumbing components. Also, never use water from hot water faucets for drinking or cooking. For more information go to Lead in Well Water Systems . Other contaminants sometimes occur in private water systems, but much less frequently than bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, or lead. Agricultural chemicals are sometimes found in wells located near cropped fields or handling areas for agricultural chemicals.
Shallow wells are more vulnerable to pesticide contamination than are deep wells.
If your well is located in an agricultural area, and especially if it is a shallow well, testing for several of the pesticides most commonly used in the area may be warranted. If children or adolescents are drinking the water, a test for natural levels of fluoride will give your dentist useful information when considering fluoride supplements. We welcome your comments and suggestions about this site.