Do you drink water from the well? You must keep a check on the following risk elements .

Although the population with access to public water supply is increasing, 5% of people still rely on their own resources from the well. That is why it is essential to address the issues relating to quality of such water. Generally, we encounter bacteriological pollution, and in many cases also a high proportion of iron and manganese. In addition to these, radioactive elements, heavy metals, or nitrates may also appear in Czech natural resources in some areas and their removal is one of the more complex matters.

In order to use ordinary water from the well for consumption, it often has to go through a process of appropriate treatment. In practice, this means reducing the concentration of certain problematic substances or elements that could damage human health or otherwise soil domestic pipework and appliances.

According to experts, underground sources are preferable to those on surface when it comes to natural water. No light means that algae and cyanobacteria do not multiply, and overall biological presence is lower. Thanks to this, groundwater has a significantly lower proportion of organic substances and microorganisms.

Wells are most at risk from bacteriological pollution

The bacteriological pollution is the most common when it comes to well waters and the cause would usually be sewage leakage or livestock farming. Another common occurrence is that of a coliform bacterium which causes intestinal problems. According to the quality screening of individual sources carried out in the Czech Republic towards the end of 1990s, it turned out that up to 70 percent of them are unsatisfactory because they are contaminated with these bacteria.

Apart from bacteriological pollution, the company HUTIRA – VISION further comes across an increased content of iron and manganese. Their high concentration usually forms naturally and depends on the geological structure of the subsoil. Iron and manganese derive from rocks and while in an oxygen-free groundwater environment they disperse. Even though these chemical elements alone do not impact on health as much, their removal from the water is necessary as they form deposits in the household pipework, in which unwanted bacteria can be found. Furthermore, higher concentrations can also turn washed laundry yellow.

The location also has an impact on water quality

Whatever unwanted elements the water well may contain also depends on its location. Some areas are geologically rich, in uranium for instance, which also reaches groundwater. In the Czech Republic, uranium is well known to some locations such are the Podkrušnohoří region or around Příbram region. Radon can also appear in smaller quantities in domestic waters in the form of dispersed gas.

The hardiness of the water also depends on the geological subsoil. Large areas in the Czech Republic have naturally very hard water, which is then projected by increased limescale formation. This reduces the life of household appliances, especially appliances designed for heating up water.

Water can also be contaminated by human activity, particularly by development, agriculture, or industry. A frequent consequence is the appearance of pesticides, heavy metals or nitrates, the latter being a threat especially for children of infant age.

HUTIRA – VISION is a water treatment specialist

The presence of some of the more common problematic elements or substances in natural water does not mean that its treatment is always straightforward. For some elements, the adjustment is quite simple and inexpensive, while for others it requires sophisticated procedures and constant improvements of adjustment process. Variance may also arise when removing the same pollution from different water sources; it depends on so many aspects – at what concentration the element occurs, whether there is a combination of other pollution in the water and so on. Elements can also display different forms. It is not unusual to remove manganese from the water without problems at one location, but laborious intervention and different procedures may be needed at another. Nitrates are usually more complex and expensive to adjust.

HUTIRA – VISION has more than 30 years of experience in water treatment. Thanks to its remarkable expertise, it offers effective solutions both for people with their own well and for areas that are yet to be connected to the water supply.