Big houses, small fractures
Western Howard County homes are often large, with several bathrooms, irrigation and sometimes a pool, all drawing from a single drilled well in fractured rock. Getting the pump size, the pressure tank and the controls matched to both the well’s yield and the house’s demand is the difference between steady pressure and a pump that runs itself to death. Constant-pressure systems are a good fit for many of these homes.
Radon and acidic water
The Maryland Geological Survey names the phyllite belt through western Howard County as an area of elevated radon. Radon dissolved in well water is released into the air at showers and faucets, so it’s worth a lab test. Soft, acidic water is also common here, and it’s hard on copper plumbing and fixtures.
Typical calls
Pump and tank replacements in finished basements, constant-pressure upgrades, neutralizers, and water testing for families buying into the area.
Permits and rules
Howard County’s Health Department handles well permits and private water supply questions. Under Maryland law, a home sale with a private well needs water quality testing by a State-certified lab before settlement unless the buyer waives it in writing.
140 ftQuestions from Howard County
Local answers.
Is a constant-pressure system worth it in a big Howard County house?
Often, yes. A constant-pressure system uses a variable-speed pump that speeds up and slows down to hold one pressure, so two showers and an irrigation zone don’t make the pressure swing. Whether it suits your well depends on the well’s yield and the pump depth.
Why do my pipes have pinhole leaks?
In much of western Howard County the water is soft and acidic, and acidic water slowly dissolves copper from the inside. Blue-green stains are the early sign. Test the pH; an acid neutralizer protects the plumbing.
Who handles well permits in Howard County?
The Howard County Health Department’s well and septic program. Drilling and pump work in Maryland must be done by people licensed through the State Board of Well Drillers.