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Drinking Water Analysis for Private Wells
Private well owners can protect their drinking water supply by performing routine maintenance checks on their water system and correcting any structural defects. These defects may allow surface water or groundwater under the influence of surface water to enter into their system.
Water quality tests are an integral part of routine maintenance and should be performed at least annually. Water quality tests should include testing for the following contaminants: iron and hardness, total coliform bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH level. If other contaminants are suspected, tests should be performed to determine their presence and level.
Iron and Hardness
Iron and hardness primarily affect the aesthetic, rather than the health-related quality of water. Iron concentrations above 0.3 mg/L and iron bacteria can cause staining of plumbing fixtures and laundry. The hardness level is significant if water softening is being considered. High levels of any of these parameters may result in the deposition of material on the inside of pipes. As these deposits build up, they gradually reduce the flow of water.
Total Coliform Bacteria
Total coliform bacteria are a group of naturally occurring bacteria that are present in all surface water and groundwater under the influence of surface water. As surface water percolates through the soil, a natural filtration process takes place that normally removes coliform bacteria UNLESS a pathway exists which bypasses this filtration process.
The presence of total coliform bacteria in a drinking water supply indicates that a pathway does exist allowing surface water or groundwater under the influence of surface water to enter the supply. This pathway may provide an opportunity for harmful material to enter the drinking water, which represents a potential health hazard. Water that is bacterially unsafe should NOT be used for human consumption unless properly disinfected before use (i.e. boiled for at least one minute).
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Fecal coliform bacteria are a group (subset) of total coliform bacteria, which are present in sewage material. The presence of fecal coliform (or E.coli) bacteria indicates a pathway exists from waste (fecal) sources such as animal feedlot run-off, septic tank or cesspool leakage, etc. Its presence also indicates that the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease, which represents a serious health concern. Fecal coliform testing is always done when a sample is determined to have total coliform bacteria.
Nitrate
Nitrogen is an element that occurs naturally in the environment and is essential to living matter. All sources of nitrogen are sources of nitrate.
There is a potential health risk to infants under six months of age when drinking water containing elevated amounts of nitrate is used to mix formula or juice. The life-threatening disease called “blue-baby” syndrome or methemoglobin-emia occurs when the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced.
Nitrate concentrations exceeding the health advisory level of 10 mg/L are generally an indication of contami-nation from major nitrogen sources such as a sewage disposal system, animal manure, or nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrate contamination is more likely to occur in shallow wells and in wells that are poorly located.
pH
pH is a numerical measure of acidity or hydrogen ion activity used to express acidity or alkalinity. The Environmental Protection Agency National Primary Drinking Water Regulations state that the pH of drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5.
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