Spring well check can save you from health problems
While people living in cities generally do not need to worry about the quality of their drinking water, because the waterworks ensures its safety, the situation is different in rural areas. In thousands of Estonian homes the drinking water comes from a dug well or a drilled well, and its quality depends largely on how the well is maintained and on the surrounding conditions.
Spring is an especially critical time for well water quality. The snow and ice that accumulated over the winter start to melt, so the groundwater level rises and the meltwater mixes with the soil layers – the risk that contamination reaches the well increases. If the well is located in an area that uses agriculture or old sewage systems, spring meltwater can bring both chemical (e.g. nitrates, nitrites) and microbiological contamination (e.g. coli-like bacteria, enterococci) that make the water unsafe to drink.
That is why Miridon’s specialists recommend checking well water at least once a year, ideally in spring. A regular water analysis is not just a precaution – it is an investment in health and peace of mind that the water we drink daily and use to prepare food is safe.
Is water that looks clear always clean?
It is often assumed that if well water is transparent, odorless and tastes normal, it is also safe to drink. Unfortunately, this can be misleading. Water may contain microorganisms (bacteria, viruses) and chemical compounds that are not visible to the naked eye but can cause health problems with long-term consumption.
Dug wells are especially susceptible to contamination, because water reaches them from the upper layers of the ground. But drilled wells are not protected either – the chemical composition of groundwater can change over time, and iron, manganese or hazardous compounds may be present in the water in amounts above the permitted level.
A real-life example: a family got a stomach illness and the well water turned out to be the culprit
Last spring, the Savi family living in Central Estonia noticed that family members were repeatedly suffering from digestive problems and stomach pains. A viral illness was suspected at first, but the problem did not go away even after weeks. Only after a water analysis was done did it turn out that their dug well had bacterial contamination, which apparently came from contaminated water that had seeped into the soil because of the spring meltwater.
After the problem was identified, the well was cleaned, the necessary disinfection was carried out and a repeat analysis was done, whose result met the drinking water quality requirements after the maintenance work. Since then the Savi family has checked the quality of their well water regularly, at least once a year.
“Before, it seemed like what would analyzing even give us – the water looks clear and clean. But in reality you have no idea what may be hiding in it,” said the father of the family.
When should you check well water?
Every spring, because the risk is highest due to increased precipitation and meltwater.
When you notice changes in the smell, taste or color of the water.
When the family has recurring health problems (stomach complaints, digestive and skin problems).
After major water outages, earthworks or well cleaning work.
A regular spring well check, which is also encouraged by Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council*, helps ensure compliance with drinking water standards and prevent possible health risks.
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*Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the quality of water intended for human consumption, OJ L 435, 23.12.2020.
What does a water analysis show?
Well water is the everyday water source for many families, and its purity directly affects both health and quality of life. Checking water quality is not just a precaution but a conscious step towards ensuring your family’s well-being and safety.
A water analysis helps identify the following in the water:
Microorganisms. Bacteria that can cause health problems.
Nitrates, nitrites and ammonium. Some of the most dangerous substances in drinking water, which can cause serious health problems.
Oxidizability. May indicate that surface water has entered the well. Makes the water yellow in color.
Iron and manganese. Can affect pipework and water quality.
pH and water hardness. Important both for health and for household appliances.
When needed, the experienced specialists of Miridon’s Veelabor water laboratory will also help interpret the analysis results – you will not be left alone with your water problem.
Where and how to have your water analyzed?
Miridon’s Veelabor is accredited by the Estonian Accreditation Centre and complies with the EVS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, which guarantees the accuracy and reliability of the analyses.
Instructions for taking a water sample, with videos, can be found on Miridon’s website www.miridon.ee
When needed, our certified water sampler will help and do all the work for you.
Samples can be brought to Miridon’s Veelabor in Tartu.
A sterile container is required for determining microbiology. Bottles can be collected from our branch, or we can also send them to a parcel locker at the customer’s request.
Test your water and get peace of mind!
Miridon OÜ
www.miridon.ee
labor@miridon.ee
Tel. +372 5268515
