In this article, we are discussing the distinctive features of well water compared to city water.
Many of us don’t give much thought to the various origins of the water that we use in our homes, despite the fact that we all need water. In contrast to city water, which is supplied by the municipality serving the area, well water originates from a private water supply that is reached via a well. Both forms of water have their own advantages and disadvantages, and they both need to be tested and maybe treated. This article will explain the similarities and differences between well water and city water, as well as the distinctive qualities of each and the appropriate methods for treating them. Let’s just jump right in.
Compare and contrast the qualities of city water versus well water
Both city water and well water have their fair share of distinguishable variations, but they also have a few things in common that are important. Let’s take a closer look at these in a little more depth:
Similarities between well water compared to city water
Collection of water for the water cycle: Both surface water from cities and groundwater from wells can be delivered to their respective sources at any point in the water cycle. This indicates that, for instance, they are able to be gathered as groundwater from sources such as aquifers and as surface water that is formed by precipitation like rain and snow. Additionally, this indicates that they are able to be collected in both of these forms.
Both municipal water and well water, depending on the treatment solutions that are in place, may be sensitive to certain pollutants such as pesticides and microplastics, pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, and other contaminants.
Plumbing systems: In order for water to be delivered through faucets, it is necessary for all water, regardless of where it originated, to pass through a building’s plumbing system. Both municipal water and private well water are susceptible to problems associated with rusty pipes and the growth of algae on pipes.
Differences between well water compared to city water
Treatment: Since water from private wells is not treated by a third party before it reaches its destination, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to utilize a filtration system to improve the water’s quality whenever it is necessary to do so. In contrast, municipal water is disinfected by adding chemicals such as chlorine in order to lower the number of bacteria present.
Testing: In a manner analogous to that of treatment, no government entity or regulatory agency conducts tests to determine whether or not pollutants are present in well water. Owners of wells should get them inspected on a yearly basis at the very least. On the other hand, municipal water is subjected to routine inspections by government employees to ensure that it complies with all applicable federal drinking water rules, such as those established by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States or Health Canada in Canada.
The path that both well water and municipal water take before arriving at your home’s faucets is vastly dissimilar, despite the fact that they both ultimately get up there. In most cases, a building receives its supply of well water by having holes drilled into the earth to reach groundwater, after which the water is pumped straight into the building. After going through the treatment process, the water that is used in the city then travels through an underground network of public and private pipelines.
The construction of a well on private property may need an upfront financial expenditure, but after that, the water that is drawn from the well is completely free. People who use water from the city are often required to pay monthly water bills to the municipality that supplies the water.