Well water treatments

Listen to this radio show (MP3 download) or read below.

Radio interview source: Rick Andrew, operations manager, National Sanitation Foundation Drinking Water Treatment Unit Program

One of the hazards of living in the country is that sometimes you end up sharing resources with others. Not too long ago, a thirsty squirrel decided to take a swig from our well, and he died in there, so we had to treat the well water with chlorine.

Most government regulations only require you to test well water when you're building a new one, or the property has changed hands. However, for your own safety, it's a good idea to test it least once a year. Like the demise of the wayward squirrel, you might encounter a few surprises now and then.

Rick Andrew is with the National Sanitation Foundation and an expert in drinking water treatment. He says you can treat the water yourself, or have a professional do it.

"The one issue that people may have with calling a professional is they're going to sell you something that the manufacturer that they represent is manufacturing," Andrew says. "So an alternative is a DIY approach. The NSF Web site can help consumers find a product that is certified to treat the contaminants that were found in their water."