Why Groundwater Visibility Matters: Key Steps to Protecting Your Drinking Water
By Andrew Vandekop, Well Water Finders for KnowYourH2O.com

When most people think about water quality, they focus on what comes out of the tap. But just as important—if not more so—is where that water is coming from in the first place. According to the EPA, over 43 million Americans rely on private wells for their drinking water. Unlike municipal systems, these wells aren't centrally monitored, so it's up to the well owner to stay informed. Knowing what’s happening below the surface is your first line of defense in protecting your water.  We focus our efforts in the states of  Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. 

The Ultimate Scorecard: Water Testing

Much of what I’ll discuss in this article is about how to improve or maintain water quality, but first, let’s be clear: regular testing is essential. Private well owners don’t benefit from the same oversight as public water systems, which makes personal vigilance critical. At a minimum, you should test your well water once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and contaminants specific to your region. Testing should happen more frequently if there are noticeable changes in taste, smell, or color—or after events like flooding. Water test kits are widely available, including through https://shop.knowyourh2o.com

Increasing the Odds of Safe Water: Well Placement and Depth

At Well Water Finders, we specialize in surveying and analyzing groundwater aquifers to help landowners and drillers make informed decisions about where and how deep to place new wells. The data we provide includes:

• The estimated depth to groundwater beneath a property
• Whether the aquifer is actively flowing or perched (Perched aquifers are temporary, isolated pockets of water above the main water table and are not part of the actively flowing system.)

Generally, deeper aquifers offer higher-quality water. That’s because contaminants from the surface have to travel farther—through natural filters like sand and rock—before reaching the water source. Shallow aquifers don’t have that same protection and are more vulnerable to pollution.

Perched aquifers, in particular, pose a greater risk. Since they aren't connected to a larger, moving water system, contaminants can accumulate more easily and remain trapped for longer periods.

Note:  Resource Page on Groundwater and Water Wells

Figure 1. Screen Shot of Well Water Finders Tools Showing a Perched and Regional Aquifer. 

Explanation of Figure 1:
The depth in feet is reported along the left-hand side of the column.
The numbers inside the column have different meanings. These are values unique to Well Water Finders. The higher the value, the more water is at the given layer. 

• Lighter shades indicate porous-like sand
• Values in darker shades are hard, like sandstone or shale.
• The blue-colored values are the signatures of water.

Don’t Forget the Surface: The Role of Land Inspections

While we don’t directly handle surface inspections, they’re a crucial part of groundwater protection. As a responsible landowner, it’s important to regularly check your property for potential sources of contamination. Even small spills—like fuel, chemicals, or household waste—can seep into the soil and migrate into your well or your neighbor’s. These threats often go unnoticed until it’s too late. You can look up a chemical here to determine if its dangerous: https://www.knowyourh2o.com/indoor/contaminant-search or consider a Neighborhood Hazard Report. 

The Bottom Line: Prevention Starts with Visibility

We believe visibility is the first step in ensuring water safety. When you combine groundwater intelligence, surface awareness, and routine water testing, you’re not just reacting to problems—you’re staying ahead of them.

Protecting your water means understanding your land, your well, and what’s going on beneath your feet.

Act NOW !  Get More Information and Contact  Well Water Finders

Learn More about Andrew Vandekop | Inventor & CEO and Teisha Vandekop | Founder & COO.

Other Blog Posts

Innovators of Breakthrough Groundwater Detection Tool Seek Investors for Expansion

Secure the Water First, Buy the Land Second