Maintenance and Treatment

Homeowners with private water systems should invest in testing their water and providing necessary treatment to ensure a safe household water supply. On this page, find advice on private drinking and residential water systems, including septic system management, home treatment systems, and record keeping.

Maintaining Private Water Systems

Many US households get their water from alternative water supplies such as wells, springs, and rainwater cisterns. Private water systems, however, are not regulated on either federal or state levels. This is why proper construction and adequate maintenance are crucial for preventing home drinking water contamination.

Bacterial contamination is one of the most prevalent management issues in water systems. Shock chlorination is often recommended for eliminating coliform bacteria, particularly after one-time contamination incidents. Residential water treatment systems – such as water filtration and disinfection – can further help treat an existing bacteria problem or prevent potential contamination.

Access more information on managing private water systems through Penn State Extension’s comprehensive collection of publications, workshops, and webinars. Resources are available on testing and treating drinking water from private supplies, as well as obtaining financial assistance for well and septic system repairs.

Homeowners can further make use of the H2OSolutions app. The app is specially designed to help users diagnose the causes of water quality issues and provide guidance in making proper water testing decisions.

Private Wells

Private water wells are becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States. If you plan on drilling a well, note that while any well penetrating an aquifer will yield water, the amount will generally depend on its location. If you have an existing low-yielding well, consider reducing peak water use or increasing storage within the water system to increase the adequacy of water supply.

In addition to location, adequate testing and treatment can have an effect on water quality, as well. Routinely testing private water supplies for E. coli and coliform bacteria helps ensure that the water is safe to use. Water should further be tested for pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) every three years. Additional testing should be done for land uses pollutants such as iron, sulfate, chloride, and nitrates.

In this section, private well owners can benefit from Penn State Extension’s groundwater resources. Regularly updated information is available on topics such as well maintenance and rehabilitation, water management during drought, and sound water well records.

Septic System Management

When maintained properly, septic systems can provide efficient and reliable treatment of household waste. To maximize the likelihood of optimal long-term performance, it’s critical to perform soil evaluations prior to construction.

Once constructed, on-lot septic systems should be inspected regularly. The treatment tanks, responsible for receiving the wastewater, should be pumped out on a routine basis. Reducing water use at home can help prevent wastewater system failures. Water conservation reduces the flow through the system, allows more time for solids to settle in the septic, and reduces the chances of overloading the soil absorption field.

Discover more about private water and septic systems maintenance with Penn State Extension. Learn about buying a home with a private well, utilizing a micro-mound wastewater system, and protecting septic systems from flooding.