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Testing Your Well Water Submitted By Karen Bridgestone    There are many reasons to have your well water tested regularly - Most important is your health Water that comes from a private well is often of the highest quality, but because your water supply is private, not municipal, it means that you alone are responsible for ensuring that it's safe to drink. What's in my Water? There are several naturally occurring water contaminants that can affect water quality. They include: hard water, iron, nitrogen, silica, and sulfur. Hard water is the most common problem associated with ground water. Hard water can occur when ground water comes in contact with certain rocks and minerals, like gypsum and limestone, calcium and magnesium can be released into the water. Generally associated with an abundance of calcium and/or magnesium dissolved in the water, hard water hasn't been linked to health problems, but it can become an annoyance, causing soap curds and deposits to form on pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Over time it can reduce the diameter of the pipes. Iron can cause a rusty or metallic taste to your water. Not only does it taste bad, but iron can stain pipes and as a result clothing. Since iron is naturally occurring, most ground water has some amount of dissolved iron in it. There are several way to treat iron problems, including installing a water softener, aeration, chlorination, and feeding ozone or hydrogen peroxide (which is removed by filtration). Nitrogen finds it's way into ground water usually just from the atmosphere, meaning that nitrogen unused by plants is released into the soil. Nitrogen compounds can also find their way into ground water through fertilizers and manure. Treating nitrogen and its many forms (ammonia, nitrate and nitrite) can be done through reverse osmosis systems with water softeners, but it is most important to identify the source of contamination and create a safe zone around your well head, making sure that it is free from any possible sources of nitrogen. Silica doesn't have any effects that are harmful to humans, but if large amounts are present, it can cause scaling in pipes that impacts water flow. Sulfur is the "rotten egg" smell that indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. Sulfur not only creates an unpleasant odor and taste, but also causes corrosion to plumbing and can darken water. It can be treated by aeration, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorine followed by filtration. The National Ground Water Association recommends that owners of private water wells get their water tested annually for the presence of coliform bacteria, nitrates and anything else of local concern as part of an annual well maintenance checkup. The Doctor is "In" Annual checkups are important to ensure the proper operation of your well and the quality of your water. Checkups can also prolong the life of your well by alerting you to problems, hopefully before they are too far-gone. Wellowner.org, a great resource for everything you need to know about ground water and water wells, says that an annual checkup should include the following: A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping (if possible), pump motor performance (check amp load, grounding and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contact, and general water quality (odor, cloudiness, etc.). An inspection of well equipment to assure that it is sanitary and meets local code requirements. A test of your water for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides, and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor. Changes in these constituents also may indicate changes in your well or local ground water. Additional tests may be recommended if water appears cloudy or oily, if bacterial growth is visible on fixtures, or water treatment devices are not working as they should. Check with your water well contractr, s tate department of natural resources, or local health department for information on local water quality issues. A concise, clear, written report should be delivered to you following the checkup that explains results and recommendations, and includes all laboratory and other test results. It's not only important to check your well annually to make sure things are working correctly, but also if you detect any problems throughout the course of the year. If you ever detect any unusual odors, colors or cloudiness or if you note an interrupted supply, such as pumping air or sediment, youÕll need to have a professional come and examine your well. Guarding your Water Supply You can protect your water supply by being proactive and looking for problems before they occur, or when you're planning a well site. These recommendations come from Thomas Miller of the Maryland Cooperative Extension. Keep surface water runoff from puddling around the well. Grade your lot so that water drains away from your well casing. Prevent surface water from seeping down the sides of your well. Make sure your well cap is not cracked and is tightly secured. If water tests show contamination, it is recommended that a well driller check the grout. If your well is more than 30 years old, have it inspected by a county Health Department sanitarian or a qualified well driller to make sure that the casing is not cracked or corroded. Have your fuel oil tank tested for leaks, especially if it is installed underground. Contact your fuel supplier for assistance. Do not use gasoline, automotive products, solvents, pesticides, or excessive amounts of fertilizers near your well. Do not tie pets to the well casing. Animal waste deposited close to the well could result in contamination. Also, a large dog may break or crack the casing. Be careful never to hit the casing with a lawn mower or vehicle, or strike it with any force. Maintain your septic system. Improperly functioning septic systems are a major cause of well contamination. Your well should be disinfected with a chlorine solution any time work is done on the well or pump. Directions for chock chlorinating your well are available from your county Health Department If there are unused or abandoned wells on your property, make sure they have been properly sealed to prevent direct contamination of ground water by surface contaminants. Ensuring the safety of your private water supply is important for your health and the health of your family. Keep a watchful eye, and follow any recommendations you receive from your county Health Department, or professionals that work on your well in any way. Submitted by Karen Bridgestone.  Karen is a Virginia Tech grad in Agricultural & Wildlife Conservation. Back to top  Back to Back to the Land  Page Back to Main Page   Floyd County In View's "Back to the Land" Series ©floydcountyinview.com Questions or Comments? floydcountyinview@yahoo.com Disclaimer Note: Reader contributed articles are published here as submitted and as entertainment information.  FCIV does not pay for any submitted material. Floyd County In View publishes pertinent reader contributed content if the content appears to be interesting without verifying the veracity of the content or viability of the information . Floyd County In View  accepts no responsibilty in confirming either the information submitted nor in the sources of the contributed content. If attempting any suggestions offered in these accounts you do so at your own risk. back to top return to back to the land page Floyd County In View's "Back to the Land" Series ©floydcountyinview.com    Contact FCIV:  floydcountyinview@yahoo.com   Return To Previous Page   Back to top Back to Main Page     Copyright © 2000-2008 floydcountyinview.com Published by CountryView Studios Publishing Co.- Floyd,Va.24091

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