Drinking water from a borehole: Guaranteed quality for your family

Is the well water drinkable?

Water drawn from a bore well for drinking water can be of excellent quality — often superior to mains water — but that is not automatically guaranteed. The quality depends on the depth of the well, the geology of the area and the surrounding activities. That is why water analysis is not optional, but mandatory.

What can well water contain?

Natural (geogenic) parameters

• Iron and manganese — common in areas with ferruginous layers; they give a metallic taste and color the installations
• High hardness (limescale) — deposits on household appliances, less effective detergents
• Arsenic — in certain specific geological areas (some areas in Transylvania, Banat)
• Ammonium — indicator of pollution or layers rich in organic matter
• Fluorine — in excess can damage teeth and bones

Anthropogenic parameters (pollution)

• Nitrates — come from agricultural fertilizers and septic tanks; danger to infants
• Pesticides — in areas with intensive agriculture
• Bacteria (E. coli, coliforms) — from pits, stables or surface seepage
• Solvents and hydrocarbons — in industrial areas

Mandatory analyzes for drinking water

Analysis Package	What's Included	Cost	Frequency
Basic analysis	pH, conductivity, turbidity, NO3, Fe, Mn, bacteriological	150–250 lei	Annual
Complete analysis according to Law 458/2002	50+ physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters	400–700 lei	Upon installation + after 2–3 years
Heavy metals	Pb, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg	300–500 lei	At installation or if there are suspicions

RENAR accredited laboratories can be found on the ANPA website. The analysis is done from a sample of water collected after 10 minutes of pumping.

Well water treatment solutions

1. Deferring and demanganizing

Filters with contact mass (manganese greensand) or compressed air systems remove iron and manganese. Cost: 1,500–4,000 lei, efficiency 95–99%.

2. Softening (anti-calc)

Softening stations with ion exchange resins. Cost: 1,500–3,500 lei. It requires periodic regeneration with salt.

3. Active carbon filtration

Removes pesticides, residual chlorine, unpleasant taste and smell. Cost: 800–2,000 lei.

4. UV sterilization

Eliminates bacteria without adding chemicals. Cost: 500–1,500 lei. Mandatory if bacteria appear on analysis.

5. Reverse osmosis

The most complete system — eliminates virtually all contaminants. Cost: 1,500–4,000 lei. It also produces waste water (30–40%).

6. Nitrate reduction

Reverse osmosis or specific ion exchangers. Essential if nitrates exceed 50 mg/l (legal limit).

The ideal depth for drinking water

From practical experience in Romania:

• Below 20 m — increased risk of pollution from the surface; not recommended for drinking
• 20–50 m — acceptable in unpolluted rural areas; requires monitoring
• 50–100 m — optimal for home use; layer protected from surface pollutants
• 100 m+ — excellent quality, constant mineralization; recommended in areas with intensive agricultural pollution

For deep wells dedicated to drinking water, the quality is generally higher and more stable over time.

Steps to obtain certified drinking water from the well

1. Drilling to the appropriate depth for your area — well drilling services
2. Denisipari and disinfection after drilling
3. Water sample collection and analysis at an accredited laboratory
4. Interpretation of the results and design of the treatment plant (if necessary)
5. Treatment station installation, final testing
6. Annual analysis for continuous monitoring

Conclusion

A well drilled can provide high-quality drinking water for your family—provided it's done right, at the right depth, and gets the right testing and treatment. Avoid the common mistakes outlined in our guide to well drilling mistakes and enjoy clean water for years to come.