4 Ways to Prevent Water Supply Contamination at Your Water Bore
Contamination at the source is quite common with water bores. These contaminants can make it a bad idea to use the water for specific purposes, especially where human and animal health and safety are concerned.
There is a wide range of water supply contamination sources. You will want to make sure that you cover all your bases. To do so, here are a few tips that you can implement regardless of whether yours is a shallow or deep water bore.
Securely Seal the Top
By ensuring that the top is securely sealed, you will keep out stormwater, dirt, leaves, and other debris from entering the water bore and contaminating your water supply.
Ensure that the water bore casing extends a little above the ground. A sloping concrete pad between the casing and the surrounding ground will prevent any surface water carrying contaminants from flowing into the bore.
A Fence Around the Bore
You may also want to consider investing in a fence around the bore. Animal faeces are a big water contaminant you cannot neglect if you keep livestock.
Ensure that the fence is so designed that it can effectively keep out livestock. It should be high enough and sturdy enough to ensure that livestock of any type and size, be it cattle or sheep, cannot gain access to the water bore area.
Install a Backflow Prevention Device
Keep away the livestock and only have a hose running from your water bore to supply a stock trough. As they drink from the trough, you can count that water is contaminated, and it will only contaminate your supply in the bore if allowed to flow back. To prevent this, ensure that you have installed a backflow prevention device.
Keep Your Septic System Away
When choosing where to drill your water bore, the distance to possible contaminant sources such as your septic system is always a concern. Should you decide to install a septic tank after your bore is in place, the same rule applies.
Ensure that there is considerable distance between your water bore and your septic system components. You need a distance of at least 50 feet between your water bore and the septic tank and twice as much distance between the bore and the drain field.
Even with these precautions, you need to regularly test samples from your water bore. Again, you can always filter, chlorinate, and/or boil the water before using it.
