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MAINTAINING YOUR WELL IN A HURRICANE
Some people use well water because of service problems or perceived savings. Most New Providence people live in heavily populated areas with septic tanks. Old or leaky wells may contaminate groundwater by allowing rain or floodwater to get to the water table without being filtered through soil. If a well is in a depression or pit, or if it isn't well sealed and capped, surface water (runoff) carrying nitrates, bacteria, pesticides, organic and other pollutants can contaminate it. This is further exacerbated during storm conditions. During flooding, septic tanks are awash, so raw sewage contaminate water settled on the ground, and washes into wells.
Other pollutants like car oil, pesticides and chemicals typically found in developed properties and roads will also wash into wells. Organic matter (e.g. algae) will develop in the water causing discolored water. Tiny water-dwelling creatures may proliferate. In the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, some people noticed tiny worm-like creatures in their untreated groundwater. Bacterial contamination and other pollutants may run off into the sea.
Near the coastline where waves come into shore, salt water flooding or high sea level can damage or break up the water lens, creating salt water intrusion from the top. This can permanently damage the water lens making wells salty. WSC harvest floodwaters in its well fields. That is why it is important to keep our well fields clean and free of encroachment from human or farm animals.
It is vital that customers be connected to city supply even if they have private wells.
Customers often come to the Water and Sewerage Corporation during flooding seeking to get urgent connections. This takes time, and during severe conditions (downed trees, power lines, severe flooding) crews may be unable to make connections, or more emphasis may be placed on restoring damaged infrastructure.
Maintaining your well means keeping the well area clear, accessible and keeping pollutants as far away as possible. It is important to have a qualified well driller or hydro geologist check the well periodically.
