What is a common cause of well contamination?

A common cause of well contamination is improper sealing of well casings. When well casings are not adequately sealed, contaminants from the surface or surrounding soil can easily enter the well. This can lead to the infiltration of bacteria, chemicals, and other harmful substances into the groundwater supply, posing risks to human health and the environment. Proper sealing ensures that there is a barrier protecting the water source from potential pollutants.

While excessive rainfall may cause surface runoff that could introduce contaminants, it is not a direct cause of well contamination like improper sealing is. Heavy usage of a well might change the dynamics of water draw and could influence local water levels, but it does not directly introduce contaminants as a sealing issue would. Natural mineral deposits can vary in well water but are typically not classified as contamination in the same way that biological or chemical pollutants are, unless they reach harmful concentrations. Therefore, proper sealing of well casings is critical to maintaining the integrity and safety of well water supplies.