Household Water System Maintenance

When it comes to your home plumbing, prevention can save you from costly repairs, big water bills and can safeguard your family’s health. Here are some tips that can save you from significant damage and health-hazards growing into your own home.

• Keep an eye out for plumbing leaks. When turning your water off, make sure that your sink and shower handles do not leak. Also, while water runs, check under your sinks for leaking pipes. Some signs of plumbing leaks are skyrocketing water bills and a constantly running water meter. Also, look for visible signs of plumbing leaks, such as mold and mildew around your tub, or moldy walls, baseboards, ceilings or floors in your bathroom or kitchen. Additional signs of leaking plumbing are musty-smelling rooms and stained or damaged ceilings, walls and floors, wet spots inside your home, or outside on the lawn. If you see any water stains or other visible signs, deal with the problem right away!

• Be careful what you pour down the drain. Never pour grease or food scraps down your drain, and never flush down toilet wipes (even if they claim to be flushable), diapers, or feminine products. A good rule of thumb for your toilet is to just flush down just human waste and a minimum of toilet paper. Even hair in the toilet or your kitchen sink can form solid masses and clog the drain.

• Keep your drains clear. A simple and cheap way to do that is to install stainers in all of your sinks and showers to keep hair and other debris from going down the drains. Stainers do half the job of preventing clogs!

TIP: A good idea for clearing your drain and preventing clogs from any buildup is to pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into your drains once a week. Boiling water is another way to help break down any dirt or grease that might be building up in your sink and pipes. You can also use a plunger to unclog any items that are in your sink. These methods are recommended over caustic drain cleaners, as these may damage your pipes.

• Keep your faucets and showeheads clean. The same solution of vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean faucets and showerheads. By keeping your faucets and showerheads clean, you prevent the building up of sediment, which does not allow water to flow properly.

• Check the water pressure. Most pipes and faucets can only withstand up to a specific level of water pressure − usually 40-60 psi. If the water pressure coming into your home through the main water line is regularly high (above 80 psi), consider installing a pressure regulator. High water pressure is a cause of water leaks and pipe breaks.

• Keep records of maintenance work and professional inspections performed on your plumbing. A good idea is to create a maintenance schedule. A good general guideline is once every two years for a newer system and once a year If you live in an older home.

• Protect pipes from freezing. When temperatures drop, water running in your pipes can freeze, causing them to burst and result in massive damage. To winterize your home’s plumbing, insulate pipes in unheated spaces (particularly in attics, basements and garages) and crawl spaces. Seal cracks and openings, making sure you close up any air leaks into cabinets. During freezing weather, open your cabinet doors to expose them to the heated air in your rooms and shut off the water supply to hoses, faucets and sprinkler systems. Draining and insulating water pipes is the best way to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.

See also, How can you take care of your own septic system?

 To take care of your well and your family’s health, test the water in your well (or have someone test it) once a year. If you suspect that your well water is contaminated, or just want to be safe, you can test your well water more often (See also What to test your well water for? and Who can test your water?).  

It is also important to sanitize your well water at least once a year, when you use a well for the first time (e.g. newly constructed well, or existing well returning to service), or any time a component of the well water distribution system is opened for repair. You should also disinfect your well water when lab results indicate the presence of bacteria, or wherever bacterial contamination is suspected, as might be indicated by continuing illness, whenever the well is surrounded by flood waters (standing water around or covering the well casing), or when the well water becomes muddy or cloudy after a rain.  

The standard treatment method for sanitizing well water as well as the entire well system (well, pump, water lines, water heater, faucets, etc.) is shock chlorination. This disinfection method uses chlorine (bleach) to kill bacteria that could harm your family’s health.

If you are still worried about your well water (or, if you have doubts about the quality of the water provided by your public water system), you can consider installing an in-home filtration system. This system includes microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, distillation and ultraviolet treatment. There are two places where in-home filtration systems can be installed:

• At the use-point of the water treatment system, typically after water is at the tap. These are typically small units that you fill and then let filter over time. These are common in many households. Their effectiveness can vary greatly. 

• At entry-points of water treatment systems, typically as water enters the residence. These systems, also known as whole-house systems, are usually installed between the water meter and the tap. These are more expensive but require no manual filling.

These treatment systems can be used together for greater contaminant reduction. Some in-home point of entry systems can be expensive to install and maintain. This may not be a viable option for all. 

A final, yet crucial step for taking care of your well is record keeping. Keep a journal of detailed accounts about your well's construction, records of testing, inspections, and maintenance visits. Inspect your well often visually, and have it inspected by a qualified well driller or pump installer every 10 to 15 years. Regular well inspections can help you ensure that your water supply is safe for you and your loved ones.

A good resource for well owners is the Wellcare® hotline, This is a non-profit organization that provides free assistance with information on owning, using, and caring for a well. 

Sources

CDC, Well testing. 

—, A Guide to Drinking Water Treatment Technologies for Household Use

US EPA, Home water testing.

Beck E.G. and Henken K., Disinfecting Your Well Water, University of Kentucky.  

Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky, Testing Private Water Sources 

When drinking water from a spring, it is important to know whether it is safe to drink and how good it is. That is why it is a good idea to test the spring water regularly, at least once a year and, ideally, every six (6) months. Also, test spring water when you observe some changes of taste, odor (smell), or staining and cloudiness (also known as increased turbidity), when you see signs of heavy erosion in the surrounding area, or when you suspect contamination from surface activities, such as leaking fuel tanks, or intensive agriculture. (See Who can test your water? and How to take a water sample for testing it?). 

Keep in mind that even though springs can provide cold, fresh water, it is more likely to be contaminated compared to deep well water, because the porous rock that allows springs to exist are at risk of pollution . That is the reason why it is important to cap a spring at the point where it emerges from the ground. That way you are making sure that you are collecting only subsurface groundwater, not mixed with surface water, which is most likely to be contaminated. 

Spring structures are usually simple and inexpensive and require little attention after installing them. Yet, as any other structure, even the simplest spring structures need periodic maintenance to ensure good quality water in sufficient quantities. For example, spring boxes and seep collection systems should be examined regularly to ensure that there is no silt build-up. Once a year, clean the sediment out of the spring box and disinfect the whole system. If a pump is built into the spring box to collect sediment, consider installing a drain pipe to carry sediment away. 

The maintenance of seep collections systems are similar to spring boxes, except that extra care must be taken for collection pipes. Although these are lined with gravel to filter out sediment,  they can still clog. A sign of a clogged collection system can be a decrease of water flow. That is why, if you are regularly drinking water from a spring, it is wise to know the spring’s rate of flow and seasonal variations. To clean clogged pipes, open the cap from the clean-out pipe and pour water into it, using a hose or a bucket, so that you break up the sediment using sufficient force.  

Sources

• PenState Extension, Spring Development and Protection. 

• SSWM, “Maintaining Structures for Springs”. In Water for the World, Technical Note No. R.W.S. 101. 

• Stone, P. (2023), “What To Do With A Natural Spring On Your Property”. In Mother Earth News, May 8 (Originally published as “The Rural Art of Capping A Spring” in the May/June 1985 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS). 

Many county health departments will help you test for pollutants. If your county cannot help, you can have your water tested by a state certified laboratory To find one in your area, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791, visit EPA’s webpage on Drinking Water and Wastewater Laboratory Network,, or see the updated list of certified laboratories in Kentucky. 

Many testing services supply their own sample containers and instructions for safe and accurate testing. Testing services may sometimes send a trained technician to collect the sample. The cost of water testing depends on the type of test and the lab you use. Using a certified lab testing typically costs $20 to $150. Some labs charge a nominal fee for testing water samples, while others charge $50-$500 or more, depending on the lab and the number and type of compounds tested. The cost of comprehensive water tests can range from $75-$250.

 See also, the Directory of State Certified Laboratories in Harlan County. 

1. Get a proper water sample bottle: Contact a certified laboratory for water testing to pick up the water kit they provide, as water collected directly into these bottles is usually the only water samples accepted. 

   
   

2. Take your sample at a correct time: Your water sample should not be left sitting for a long period of time as this can lead to inaccurate results. Sample your well water when you're sure you can drop it off to a certified laboratory within 24 hours.  Check with the laboratory you are taking your sample to, to find out about the days and hours they are accepting samples.

    

3. Take your sample in the correct way: Talk to the laboratory that will serve you. Ask them any questions and make sure you understand how you’ll take the sample and be clear about how not to do it. Here is some good advice:  

   • If you are taking a sample from your tap, let cold water run for 3 to 4 minutes before taking the sample, to remove standing water from your plumbing system. 

If necessary or, just in case, disinfect the faucet spout: clean the end of the tap with an alcohol swab or diluted bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 10 parts water) before running water to remove debris or bacteria. Disinfecting the tap with a flame is not recommended as you could damage the faucet.

3. Remove any aerator, screen or other attachments from your faucet. Take a sample from an inside tap with no aerator, such as the bathtub. Don't take a sample from an outside tap or garden hose. 

   • Handle the bottle carefully: Remove the sample bottle lid and don't touch the inside of the lid or put the lid down. Also do not rinse out the bottle. 

   • Fill the bottle to the level that is marked, as described in the enclosed instructions. Make sure that you close the lid firmly.

     
     

4. Keep Sample in Cool PlaceKeep the sample cool (but not frozen) until it's returned to the drop-off location. Don't store samples in warm places such as your car trunk! 

   
   

5. Deliver the Sample within 24 HoursDrop off your sample at one drop-off location specified by the laboratory serving you. Samples older than 24 hours may not be processed. 

TIP: Remember that proper handling ensures accurate test results.  

If you have a special interest in Kentucky’s natural waterways and wish to be engaged, while learning about water quality and ways to help improve and protect water quality in your own community, you can become a stream sampler volunteer. 

You can start by enrolling in the sampling training models provided by Kentucky Watershed Watch. Once you complete all the online training, you can connect to your nearest stream sampler trainer and support hub (see here: https://www.kywater.org/get-involved/support-hubs. At your nearest support hub, you'll complete the final part of your training with hands-on experience, using all the necessary tools and equipment. 

Septic system maintenance is not complicated, and it does not need to be expensive.  According to the EPA, upkeep boils down to four (4) key elements:

1. Inspect and pump frequently: To prevent buildup, sludge and floating scum need to be removed through periodic pumping of the septic tank. Regular inspections and pumping are the best and cheapest way to keep your septic system in good working order. The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three (3) years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three (3) to five (5) years. In the service report, the pumper should note any repairs completed and whether the tank is in good condition. If the pumper recommends additional repairs he or she can’t perform, hire someone to make the repairs as soon as possible.

   See also, How do you know when it is time to pump your septic system?

    

2. Use Water Efficiently: The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use can improve the operation of the septic system and reduce the risk of failure, benefiting your household as well as all your community. According to the EPA, toilet use accounts for 25 to 30 percent of household water use! And the older the toilet is, the more water it uses to empty the bowl; most older homes have toilets with 3.5- to 5-gallon reservoirs, while newer high-efficiency toilets use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. That is why it is important to always check to make sure your toilet's reservoir isn’t leaking into the bowl. And in case you find a  leakage, fix it as soon as possible. 

TIP: If you have problems with your septic system being flooded with household water, consider reducing the volume of water in the toilet tank, or replacing your existing toilets with high-efficiency models. Also, consider installing  faucet aerators and high-efficiency shower-heads, or shower flow restrictors. These do not come at great cost, and help you reduce the volume of clean water entering your septic system.  This can have a big impact on your system’s health and your water bill. 

See also, How can you measure clean water leakage into your septic system? 

3. Watch your drains: What goes down the drain can have a major impact on how well your septic system works. That is why you should be cautious with what you are flushing down the toilet. Dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items can clog and potentially damage septic system components if they become trapped. An easy rule of thumb is not to flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper. 

   
   

   Also avoid pouring toxins down your drain, whether it is your kitchen sink, bathtub, or utility sink; these can kill the living organisms that digest and treat household waste in your septic system and can contaminate surface water and groundwater. 

Here you can find and download a list of items you should never flush. 

4. Wash your clothes wisely: Another thing that can have a great impact on your septic system is how you load your washing machine. Small loads of laundry on your washing machine’s large load cycle wastes water and energy. You can avoid that by selecting the proper load size. If you can’t select the load size, run only full loads of laundry. 

   
   

   Also, doing all household laundry in one day can be harmful to your septic system, as it does not allow your septic tank adequate time to treat wastes, or can flood your drainfield without allowing sufficient recovery time. A good idea is to spread the use of your washing machine throughout the week.

TIP:  When you buy a new clothes washer, prefer an Energy Star certified one. Washing machines that bear the Energy Star label consume 25-35 percent less energy and 33-50 percent less water than a standard model. Over the lifetime of the product, certified energy star models can save you about $550 in energy costs. 

5. Care for your drainfield: Your drainfield is an important part of your septic system that removes contaminants from the liquids emerging from your septic tank. Here are a few things you should do to maintain it: 

• Parking: Do not park or drive on your drainfield. Doing so can compact the soil in your drainfield or damage the pipes, tank, or other septic system components.

• Planting: Plant trees away from your drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. Tree roots might clog and damage the drainfield. It is sometimes surprising how far roots can grow away from the tree.

• Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the drainfield. Flooding the drainfield with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing fixtures to back up.

Sources

• US EPA, “Your Septic System is your responsibility”. In A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems.

• US EPA, How to care for your septic system. In Care and Maintenance, Septic Systems. 

According to the EPA, average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost seventy (70) gallons per person, per day. However, leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day! A method that EPA recommends for checking for leaks of your toilet’s reservoir into the bowl is adding five (5) drops of liquid food coloring to the reservoir before bed. If the dye is in the bowl the next morning, the reservoir is leaking and repairs are needed.

Also, to see how much a leak adds to your water usage: 

• Place a cup under the drip for ten (10) minutes. 

• Multiply the amount of water in the cup by 144 (the number of minutes in 24 hours, divided by 10). This number is the total amount of clean water leakage that runs into your septic system caused by this drip.

  
  

For example, if your cup fills up 2 Tablespoons within 10 minutes, then the  total amount of clean water traveling to your septic system from that little leak is 2 T x 144 minutes = 288 T. With 256 Tablespoons per gallon, that makes over a gallon lost each day! 

Source

• US EPA, “Your Septic System is your responsibility”. In A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems.

Four (4) major factors determine how often to pump your septic system:

• Household size: the number of people in your household. 

• Total wastewater generated: the amount of wastewater generated, which depends on the number of people in the household and the amount of water used.

• Volume of solids in wastewater: for example, using a garbage disposal increases the amount of solids

• Septic tank size.

Your septic tank includes a T-shaped outlet which prevents sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. Your tank should be pumped, if 

• the bottom of the scum layer is within six (6) inches of the bottom of the outlet, 

• if the top of the sludge layer is within twelve (12) inches of the outlet, 

• or, if more than 25% of the liquid depth is sludge and scum. 

It is crucial to keep the maintenance records of work performed on your septic system, inspections as well as pumping. See the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association's Guide and Record Keeping Folder example. To keep track of when to pump out your tank, write down the sludge and scum levels found by the septic professional. 

Tip: Some septic tank makers claim that the tanks they sell never need to be pumped. Regardless, every septic tank requires periodic pumping.

Sources

• US EPA, “Your Septic System is your responsibility”. In A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems.

• US EPA, “How to Care for Your Septic System”. In Care and Maintenance, Septic Systems.