Well Water Testing A Must

It seems many people who rely on onsite wells for drinking water are not testing the water on a regular basis. And that could be a big mistake that I do not want you to make. True, testing costs money. But, getting sick because you did not test is crazy.  

Wells get their water from underground streams, which are called aquifers. The streams begin at once place and flow underneath your property, and many other properties. While they are flowing, they can pick up contamination from a variety of sources. 

They can pick up naturally existing contamination. For example, radon comes from naturally existing rock formations. As the streams pass by or near these formations, they pick up and carry the radon. 

Heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, may naturally exist and be absorbed into the aquifer. 

Aquifers also pick up contamination from man made sources. A frequently encountered example of this is gasoline or fuel oil from leaking underground tanks. All people with wells that are in the area of these tanks may have the fuel oil/gasoline contamination in their drinking water.  

Factories and industry also add to drinking water contamination. Years can pass from the time such contamination begins until when it is detected. So a lot of dirty water may be consumed before anyone knows there is a problem. 

Also, there are landfills scattered throughout the U.S. that may not have been properly closed. When it rains, the water can run through these landfills and transmit contaminants from within the landfill into the drinking water. This process is called “leaching.” The mix of water and contaminants is called “leachate.” 

You might think that you would smell or taste something bad in your drinking water before it could hurt you. That is not the case. Many toxic substances cannot be detected by smell or taste until they reach concentrations much higher than is believed to be safe. 

Which means: you must test. Test at least once a year, but the more the better. If you cannot afford to test often, you and your neighbors could possibly share the responsibility, so that each year one of you tests. If you all live nearby, with similarly constructed wells, the chances are if something is in one well, it is affecting all of your wells. This is not a perfect solution, but it is better than nothing. 

A certified lab should test the samples. Not every lab is certified. Check your state regulators. 

What will you test for? FHA and VA request the testing be for bacteria, lead, nitrate, nitrite, and turbidity. This is an excellent basis for routine testing. If you suspect any kind of specific contamination, the lab technician can guide you to the appropriate testing protocol.

11:37 AM - Jan. 2, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment
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