Are you drinking polluted water? If you get your water from a well, you’ll need to take extra precautions to maintain the quality of the water. This entry begins a three-part miniseries about how to protect your well water and your submersible well pump to keep them clean, pure, and healthy for you and your family.  Beware of HHW There are several hazards that could be compromising the quality of your water that you need to be aware of. Whether you know it or not, you could be harming your water by not disposing of Household Hazardous Wastes (HHWs) correctly. HHWs are any products you have at home that are hazardous to the environment. You might be surprised at how many “hazardous” things you have—and use regularly—in your home. Below is a partial list from the Burgen County Utilities Authority; however, make sure you read the full HHW list:
  • Any aerosols
  • Batteries
  • Most household cleaners, such as disinfectant sprays, drain cleaners, floor waxes
  • Bug Sprays
  • Paints
  • Pesticides
  • Antifreeze
Correct Disposal If any of these HHWs spill and sink into the ground, your drinking water could be compromised. Unaware of the potential danger, most people casually throw away their HHWs with the normal trash. However, if your trash is spilled by an animal or knocked over by the garbage truck, these hazardous chemicals can easily seep into the ground and mix with the water. Instead of tossing these HHWs into your normal trash and risking water pollution, make sure to find a hazardous waste collections site near you. These sites ensure that the dangerous chemicals are disposed of safely. If you’d like to have a professional test your water pump, water tanks, and well water to make sure they haven’t been exposed to pollution, contact Ackerson Pump at 973-827-6088. We can do a well inspection and even begin a well water treatment program if we find any pollutants. We’re located in Hamburg, NJ, and we serve Sussex County, Bergen County, and Morris County. We care about your water quality and look forward to serving you.