Many homes are built where municipal utilities are not available. They depend on wells for cooking, drinking and cleaning. While the EPA mandates that public supplies be tested, these rules do not apply to private wells in the United States. Well water testing benefits homes by ensuring all who live there have a safe supply to meet their needs.
There are several indicators of quality and contaminates for which a home's supply should be tested. While the bacteria and chemicals for which the supply is tested may not cause illness, their presences may indicate contamination by sewage or other germs that cause illness.
Contamination by the bacteria found in the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals is one way to test for possible contamination of disease causing bacteria. The total coliform count is an indicator of the number of this type of bacteria in a specified amount of sample. If the count is high, the chances of other bacteria that are more harmful being in the tested material are greater.
A more specific bacterial test is for Escherichia coli, often abbreviated as E. Coli. A positive test for E. Coli indicates fecal contamination of wells. While the indicator form of E. Coli is generally harmless, the germs that contaminate wells when it is present may cause health problems including hepatitis, dysentery or diarrhea. Owners should note the presence of the indicator E. Coli is not the same as the more dangerous strain of the bacteria that often makes the news.
The pH of the sample indicates if it is acid or basic. The pH affects the taste as well as the looks of one's supply. The pH of a neutral sample is 7.0. If numbers are much higher or lower than 7.0, the liquid can leach heavy metals from pipes to the tap. Liquids that are not neutral can also damage pipes and over time make the occupants of the home sick.
While nitrates are found in many types of food, they should not be in your drinking supply as they can make you and others sick. Sources of nitrates include animal waste, septic tanks, flooded sewers and polluted storm water. Fertilizers and runoff from farming can also affect the well's quality. The natural geographic features surrounding wells can increase nitrate levels.
In some regions, volatile organic compounds from fuel or industrial pollution contaminate wells. The exact VOCs for which one should test depend on the location in which one lives. If they are a problem in your region, the local health department can tell you the tests to have completed.
Specific locations may also have specific healthy concerns. Chemicals, including heavy metals may be a problem locally. In other areas, wells should be tested for specific bacteria in order to ensure the home has a safe supply.
Generally, homeowners should submit samples to a lab for well water testing annually. Samples should also be submitted when there is a difference in quality of if land disturbances have occurred. With proper testing, you ensure your supply remains healthy for the family.
There are several indicators of quality and contaminates for which a home's supply should be tested. While the bacteria and chemicals for which the supply is tested may not cause illness, their presences may indicate contamination by sewage or other germs that cause illness.
Contamination by the bacteria found in the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals is one way to test for possible contamination of disease causing bacteria. The total coliform count is an indicator of the number of this type of bacteria in a specified amount of sample. If the count is high, the chances of other bacteria that are more harmful being in the tested material are greater.
A more specific bacterial test is for Escherichia coli, often abbreviated as E. Coli. A positive test for E. Coli indicates fecal contamination of wells. While the indicator form of E. Coli is generally harmless, the germs that contaminate wells when it is present may cause health problems including hepatitis, dysentery or diarrhea. Owners should note the presence of the indicator E. Coli is not the same as the more dangerous strain of the bacteria that often makes the news.
The pH of the sample indicates if it is acid or basic. The pH affects the taste as well as the looks of one's supply. The pH of a neutral sample is 7.0. If numbers are much higher or lower than 7.0, the liquid can leach heavy metals from pipes to the tap. Liquids that are not neutral can also damage pipes and over time make the occupants of the home sick.
While nitrates are found in many types of food, they should not be in your drinking supply as they can make you and others sick. Sources of nitrates include animal waste, septic tanks, flooded sewers and polluted storm water. Fertilizers and runoff from farming can also affect the well's quality. The natural geographic features surrounding wells can increase nitrate levels.
In some regions, volatile organic compounds from fuel or industrial pollution contaminate wells. The exact VOCs for which one should test depend on the location in which one lives. If they are a problem in your region, the local health department can tell you the tests to have completed.
Specific locations may also have specific healthy concerns. Chemicals, including heavy metals may be a problem locally. In other areas, wells should be tested for specific bacteria in order to ensure the home has a safe supply.
Generally, homeowners should submit samples to a lab for well water testing annually. Samples should also be submitted when there is a difference in quality of if land disturbances have occurred. With proper testing, you ensure your supply remains healthy for the family.
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