Northwest Water Frequently Asked Questions

No. pH is a measure of the relative balance or imbalance of acid vs. alkaline substances in a water supply. Hardness is a measure of calcium and magnesium content in a water supply. Low pH or acidic water is oftentimes responsible for the turquoise stains left in sink basins and toilet bowls. Hard water will leave spots on glassware and shower doors, form a white crust on faucets, coffee pots, and silverware, and leave your skin dry and your hair brittle. Hard water can also be tough on well pumps. If your pump isn't performing as well as it used to, we can help.

No. Water softeners remove positively charged ions from the water. Uranium and arsenic carry a negative charge. If you're concerned about your water quality, call our water testing and well pump team today.

Maybe. A well shock or chlorination is often the first course of action to take when a bacteria problem is discovered. However, once the chlorine is gone, there's no guarantee the problem won't reoccur. UV is a clean, guaranteed solution to sterilize water.

Ultraviolet light sterilization is the only guaranteed solution that makes sense for residential water sterilization. It's also green technology with no disinfection byproducts. Our well pump repair specialists can install UV sterilization systems. Call today to learn more.

The first thing that you will want to do is to free the exterior drain pipe of any debris. You want to be sure that it is directing water away from your foundation. Next, check the power and see if you can hear the motor running. You can test your sump pump to see if it’s working by pouring a bucket of water into the pit to trigger the pump’s automatic start and it should drain quickly once the pump is triggered. If the pump doesn’t start and/or doesn’t empty, it’s time to have it serviced.

There is no “correct” size. The horsepower requirement for a house is determined by the area of drainage connected to the sump, the depth of groundwater, the depth of the basement, and many other factors. A 1/3 horsepower (hp) pump is satisfactory for most houses, but a 1/2 hp pump doesn’t cost that much more.

It is NOT recommended to drain laundry or water softeners into a sump basin. The chemicals and debris from these appliances can cause damage to the pump, decreasing its life of it. The discharged water may also cause a buildup of debris on the float switch, causing it to work improperly. Sump pumps are designed to be used with clear, clean groundwater.

No. Most sump pumps require electrical power to operate. A generator is helpful for homes that frequently lose power or have high water.