Here in the form of table you'll find some examples of possible water contamination its causes, consequences and options to overcome such problems. Get to know what must be done if living in outlying countryside to safeguard well water.

Water Treatment

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The information stated in this section can explicate and help to answer a number of questions with reference to plumbing projects. After getting acquainted you’ll be able, or at least know what must be done to safeguard well water in outlying rural areas, how to prevent water contamination, select appropriate pipes and equipment for your home and so forth.

Water Treatment

Concern	Cause	Consequences	Options
Fuels (Gasoline, Diesel, Heating Oil)	• leaking old storage tank, spills	• long-term health risk	• stop using well water • use alternate water supply, and • consult local Ontario Ministry of the Environment and public health unit staff about treatment options
Nitrates	• nutrient application and septic systems	• health risk for infants when nitrate is above 10 ppm	• use alternative water supply for drinking and cooking, and • use reverse osmosis or distillation
Hydrogen Sulphide	• naturally occurring gas, or harmful bacteria that is releasing sulphate	• not a health hazard	• use chlorination–filtration, and • use greensand treatment
Hardness	• naturally occurring minerals in aquifer	• not a health hazard	• add softener, and • use an alternate soap and detergent for moderately hard water

Water quality of deep well is unstable and can change in the course of time. The content of iron and manganese in water may exceed acceptable limits of concentration or become untreatable. If the problems concerning iron bacteria are severe enough, it might cause well abandonment.

Short borehole water quality can vary seasonally. In highly vulnerable wells, which are less than 3 meters or 10 feet in depth, water quality may change during few hours or several days after rainstorm or thawing.

Home Well Water Treatment
Home water purification systems apply the next methods to treat water, either separately or coupled:

- carbon filtration
- distillation
- back osmosis
- anion exchange
- cation exchange

If the source of pollution can’t be removed after chlorine decontamination applied, think about the setting up of a batch or distributed decontamination system or a new water supply.

Household Drinking Water Disinfection Devices
Water treatment method Effect
Distillation Kills all microorganisms.
Ultraviolet light Kills all microorganisms. Apply along with microfiltration to remove particulate matter, including parasites and recover inactivation.
Chlorination Kills viruses and bacteria. Use together with microfiltration to advance inactivation and eliminate particulate matter, including parasites.
Ozonation Kills damaging microorganisms. Employ with microfiltration to remove particulate matter, counting parasites and improve inactivation.
Ceramic candle filtration Eliminates parasites and bacteria. Exercise along with chlorination to kill viruses.

Chemical Removal Devices
Water treatment method Effect
Activated carbon filtration^* Removes organic compounds, including pesticides.
Reverse osmosis^* Removes heavy metals and nitrates; often used in combination with activated carbon filters.
Distillation Removes heavy metals and nitrates; often used in combination with activated carbon filters.
Ozonation Removes organic compounds, including pesticides; often used in combination with activated carbon filters.

Note that usually even the most effective water treatments remove most contaminants, but not all of them. You should choose the appropriate method for you depending on the results of your water test. When in doubt, boil all water used for drinking.

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