In this article
What Are Pesticides and How Do They Get Into Your Well Water?
Pesticides are chemicals used on farmlands to control and prevent plant and animal infestation.
These chemicals could be herbicides used tocontrol weedsor insecticides and fungicides used to control insects and molds, respectively.
Pesticides remain present in the soil long after farmers have used them.
They later find their way into your well water as agricultural runoff due to either irrigation or rainfall.
An example of this is Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT.
This problem of pesticides in water is widespread in rural areas.
Basically, the longer youre exposed to pesticides, the greater the health threat.
Most pesticides used in agricultural practices are organophosphorus compounds.
They are highly toxic and cause various nervous disorders when ingested.
On the bright side, organophosphate compounds are easily degraded, so they rarely get into well water.
Carbamate pesticides, on the other hand, are highly soluble in water and not easily degraded.
You are more likely to be affected by carbamate pesticides than organophosphates because of their constant presence in groundwater.
They also cause nervous disorders and are carcinogenic.
How Do I Test For Pesticides in My Well Water?
Old wells will also have more pesticides because they have gathered inside and accumulated over time.
A deep well will also have more agricultural pesticides seeping into it than a shallow one.
you might also make a quick inquiry on the bang out of pesticides used on the farm.
This will help you to run a more specific test.
Presence of Nitrates
Nitratesare an essential part of many pesticides.
Finding high amounts of nitrates in your water might mean that youre dealing with pesticide contamination.
This could save you time, money, and effort.
What Do You Do If Pesticides Are Present in Your Well Water?
You have confirmed the presence of pesticides in your well water.
Should you be concerned?
There are various water treatment options available for your well water.
These treatments will remove the pesticides present, leaving you withwater safe and fit for homeuse.
This membrane allows water molecules to pass through but stops larger molecules such as pesticides from passing.
With an RO system in place, you never have to worry about pesticide contamination.
Whole house filtration systems remove contaminants like debris, heavy metals, and chlorine.
You may need to domore researchbefore choosing a whole house well water filter targeting pesticides.
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filters
These are relatively cheap point-of-use or point-of-entry filters.
The pesticides in your well water adhere to the carbon granules and are thus removed from the water.
GAC filters require regular replacement to keep them working efficiently.
