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.
Bacteria from the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals and humans is of grave concern. Labs often perform a total coliform test to indicate the presences of these bacteria in the submitted sample. If these counts return large numbers, there is a greater chance of disease causing organisms in the supply that can bring harm to those who consume the product.
Samples are also often tested for an indicator strain of E. Coli. A positive result indicates fecal contamination in the supply. Although the indicator strain of E. Coli is generally harmless, its presence indicates other germs that can cause health concerns including dysentery, hepatitis and diarrhea. Homeowners should not confuse the indicator strain with the more harmful one that often makes the news due to restaurant or food contamination.
Labs generally perform a pH test. This test is quick to perform and determines whether the sample is acid, base or neutral. While a reading of 7 is neutral, higher or lower numbers can affect quality. Non-neutral samples may erode heavy metals form pipes. This causes plumbing problems and may make consumers sick in a home.
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.
Contamination by volatile organic compounds is generally regional. These contaminates come from man made pollution, such as industry or fuel spills. Check with the lab or local health department to determine the VOCs for which regional wells should be tested.
Some health concerns are regionally specific. For example, heavy metals may be a problem, especially in the Western USA. In other regions, there may be specific bacteria which is of concern and for which the sample should be tested. The local health department of the laboratory can help homeowners determine the tests which are necessary to ensure their safety.
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.
Bacteria from the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals and humans is of grave concern. Labs often perform a total coliform test to indicate the presences of these bacteria in the submitted sample. If these counts return large numbers, there is a greater chance of disease causing organisms in the supply that can bring harm to those who consume the product.
Samples are also often tested for an indicator strain of E. Coli. A positive result indicates fecal contamination in the supply. Although the indicator strain of E. Coli is generally harmless, its presence indicates other germs that can cause health concerns including dysentery, hepatitis and diarrhea. Homeowners should not confuse the indicator strain with the more harmful one that often makes the news due to restaurant or food contamination.
Labs generally perform a pH test. This test is quick to perform and determines whether the sample is acid, base or neutral. While a reading of 7 is neutral, higher or lower numbers can affect quality. Non-neutral samples may erode heavy metals form pipes. This causes plumbing problems and may make consumers sick in a home.
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.
Contamination by volatile organic compounds is generally regional. These contaminates come from man made pollution, such as industry or fuel spills. Check with the lab or local health department to determine the VOCs for which regional wells should be tested.
Some health concerns are regionally specific. For example, heavy metals may be a problem, especially in the Western USA. In other regions, there may be specific bacteria which is of concern and for which the sample should be tested. The local health department of the laboratory can help homeowners determine the tests which are necessary to ensure their safety.
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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