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Drinking Water From Household Wells
INTRODUCTION
pproximately 15 percent of our
nation's population relies on
individually owned and operated
sources of drinking water, such as
wells, cisterns, and springs. Forty-six
states license or register individuals
who install domestic water wells and
construction standards for household
wells are in place in forty-two states. In
addition, local health departments may
have requirements. Ultimate responsi-
bility for a household well and the
drinking water it provides, however,
rests with the well owner.
What if you are among the 15 percent
getting your drinking water from your
own well—do you know if your water is
safe? What kinds of things pose a threat
to your well and to the ground water
which is its source? What health risks
do you and your family face? Who can
you turn to for help or advice?
This pamphlet helps answer these
questions, and provides you with more
information about drinking water from
individual, household wells.
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GROUND WATER
OCCURRENCE AND EXTENT
OF POLLUTION
Ground water is a vast resource that
underlies the earth's surface. Ground
water occurrence, its vulnerability to
contamination, and its value and use as a
resource, vary from place to place. The
vulnerability of ground water to contami-
nation depends on hydrogeologic condi-
tions, such as the extent and location of the
recharge area, the depth of ground water,
the soil and rock composition overlying
the aquifer, the recharge rate, and the
specific properties of the chemical con-
taminants.
Ground water contamination has been
documented in every state of the United
States. However, the exact extent of
ground water contamination is not known.
It has been estimated that less than 2
percent of ground water is contaminated
at this point in time.
POTENTIAL GROUND
WATER CONTAMINATION
SOURCES
Understanding and identifying the
potential sources of contamination of your
well is a first step toward assuring safe
drinking water for you and your family.
Some of these potential threats come from
nature—naturally occurring "contami-
nants—that, if present in your drinking
water, may present a health risk. Other
potential sources come from past or
present human activity—things that we
do, make, and use, which may result in the
pollution of the water we dnnk.
Following are these potential contami-
nation sources, including the actual
contaminants and an explanation of how
they might end up in your drinking water:
The
Hydrologic
Cycle.
Source: The National Water Well Association.
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Naturally Occurring Contaminants
• Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses,
protozoans, and other microorganisms
are sometimes present, particularly in
water sources close to ground level
which might be exposed to surface
water influence (e.g., shallow wells).
While these naturally occurring
organisms are usually harmless, some
of them can cause a variety of illnesses
(with symptoms such as nausea and
diarrhea), and most importantly, these
illnesses can occur shortly after one
drinks contaminated water.
• Radionuclides: Radioactive elements
such as uranium and radium may be
present in underlying rock and may
end up in the drinking water. Radon—
a gas that is a natural product of the
breakdown of uranium in the soil-
may also pose a threat. Radon is most
commonly a threat when inhaled and is
considered a known human carcinogen
that can contribute to lung cancer.
Radon is less dangerous when con-
sumed in water, but remains a risk to
health.
Nitrates and Nitrites: Although
elevated nitrate levels are usually a
result of human activity (see below),
they may be found in ground water
due to the breakdown of naturally
occurring nitrogen compounds.
Consumption of excessive amounts
of nitrates and nitrites is particularly
threatening to infants and children.
Heavy Metals: Underlying rocks and
soil may contain arsenic, cadmium,
chromium, lead, and selenium. These
contaminants are rarely found in
individual wells at levels that present
a problem, but activities such as
mining and construction can release
larger amounts into nearby ground
water sources. If released and
consumed at excessive levels, these
contaminants pose a health risk.
• Fluoride: Although fluoride is
considered essential for good dental
hygiene, in some cases, consumption
of excessive amounts of naturally
occurring fluoride can actually
damage bone tissue. Discoloring of
teeth may also be a concern, although
it is not a health risk.
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Potential Contamination Sources
from Human Activity
. Bacteria and Nitrates: These are
abundant in human and animal
waste material. If either septic tank
systems or livestock management
areas are located too close to a well,
and if these systems or areas are not
maintained properly, then contami-
nation may result Consumption of
excessive amounts of nitrates can
cause adverse health effects in very
young infants and susceptible adults.
• Household Plumbing Materials:
Corrosive water may cause plumb-
ing materials to leach into your
tapwater. Of primary concern is lead
(and to a lesser extent, copper) that
may have been used in pipes, solder,
or fixtures. The acidity or pH,
temperature, and mineral content ot
your water all affect how "corrosive
it is. The age of plumbing materi-
als—in particular, copper pipes
soldered with lead—is also impor-
tant. The newer the pipe or solder,
the more susceptible it is to corro-
sion. Consumption of these corro-
sion by-products, even at relatively
low amounts, can be harmful.
Fertilizers and Pesticides: In agricul-
tural areas, fertilizers and pesticides are
applied frequently. This may a so be
true in suburban areas where there are
a lot of lawns and backyard gardens,
and around golf courses. Depending
upon the types and rates of chemicals
used, the methods of application, and
physical conditions of the local environ-
ment (soil type, topography, seasonal
precipitation), these chemicals may end
up in ground water. Many fertilizers
contain nitrogen compounds which
may break down into nitrates, possibly
adding to the other sources of nitrates
mentioned above. In addition, house-
hold or commercial chemicals used to
treat buildings for termites or other
pests may also pose a threat, again,
depending on the type of chemical, the
type of soil, and the amount and
frequency of precipitation. For further
information, see the EPA publication
entitled, "Pesticides and Drinking
Water Wells."
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Industrial Products and Wastes: A
variety of potentially harmful chemi-
cals are used widely in local business
and industry, and these chemicals may
become drinking water contaminants if
they are not properly managed. The
most common sources of such contami-
nants are:
— local Businesses: Nearby factories,
plants, and even small businesses
such as gas stations and dry cleaners
handle a variety of chemicals.
Improper management, spills and
improper disposal of these chemi-
cals and their wastes can threaten
ground water supplies.
— Leaking Underground Tanks: Petro-
leum products, chemicals, and
wastes stored in underground
storage tanks may end up in the
ground water, when improperly
installed or constructed tanks or old,
corroding tanks leak.
— Landfills and Waste Dumps-. Waste
materials from nearby waste
management facilities may seep out
as rain falls on or floods the facility.
This seepage can carry a wide
variety of contaminants into ground
water.
Household Wastes: Improper
disposal of cleaning fluids and
degreasers, used motor oil, paints
and paint thinners, and soaps and
detergents (often through faulty
septic tanks and associated leaching
fields) can contaminate ground
water.
Water Treatment Chemicals:
Improper handling or storage of
water treatment chemicals (disinfec-
tants, corrosion inhibitors, etc.) at the
wellhead might lead to contamina-
tion.
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SHOULD YOU BE
CONCERNED?
YES.
The individual well owner is primarily
responsible for the safety of water that is
drawn from his/her well. Individual well
owners do not benefit from the public
health protection provided by a regulated,
public water system, which must comply
with federal and state regulations for
various monitoring, analytical, and
reporting requirements. Private wells are
not subject to such federal regulations and
are generally regulated on a very limited
basis by the states.
In most cases, individual household
wells are the concern of the local health
department. Health departments may
assist household well owners with
periodic testing for bacteria and nitrates,
as well as oversee the placement and
construction of the well with respect to
state and local regulations—especially
with regard to the placement of a drinking
water well near septic tanks, drainfields,
and livestock. The bulk of the responsibil-
ity for ensuring proper construction,
proper wellhead protection, and adequate
maintenance, however, falls on the well
owner.
The amount of risk involved is based
on your physical surroundings, including
the characteristics of the aquifer from
which you draw your water; the quality of
construction and maintenance of your
well; and the human activity that takes
place in your area.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Six basic steps will help you determine
and maintain the adequacy of your
drinking water:
• Identify potential sources of contamina-
tion
• Have your water tested periodically
• Have the test results interpreted
properly .and explained clearly
• Establish and implement a regular
maintenance schedule for your well
and keep accurate, up-to-date records
• Consult the "local experts"
• Remedy any problems, if necessary
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Identifying Potential Contamination
Sources of Your Well
The actual presence of contaminants in
your well will be affected by local geology
and climate, your water system's construc-
tion, the extent of human activity in the
area, and your proximity to contamination
sources. Ground water contamination is
usually localized and generalizations are
difficult to make. The best way to identify
potential contaminants is to consult a local
expert for guidance on conditions in your
area. (See "Consult the Local Experts")
• Obtain a copy of the list of Federal
drinking water standards. Even
though these standards do not apply to
household wells, you could use it as a
guide to help determine potential
contaminants in your water. Keep in
mind, however, that your individual
state has developed its own drinking
water standards and in some cases
they may be stricter or more exten-
sive than the federal standards. To
obtain the list of federal standards,
contact EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hotline (see below). For the state
standards, contact your state
drinking water program or local
health department. In addition, the
EPA, Office of Drinking Water, also
has chemical and health risk infor-
mation for a number of drinking
water contaminants available
through the Hotline.
Potential
Groundwater
Contamination
Sources
Source: The National Water Well Association,
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Have Your Well Water Tested
Household wells should be tested
periodically. Have a competent labora-
tory or health department test your
water annually for total coliform
bacteria (from human and animal
wastes), nitrates, total dissolved solids,
and pH levels. If you suspect other
contaminants are present, tests for these
should also be done. Chemical testing
can be expensive, so you will want to
reduce the list by identifying potential
contaminants specific to your situation.
Again, local experts may be of
assistance.
In many cases, county health depart-
ments provide testing and analysis for
bacteria and nitrates. For other contami-
nants, health departments, environmen-
tal offices, or county governments
should have a list of state certified
laboratories. A list of labs can also be
provided by the State Laboratory
Certification Officer. Call EPA's Safe
Drinking Water Hotline for the name
and phone number of your state's
certification officer.
Laboratories often provide sampling
bottles and instructions for you to use.
Follow these instructions carefully to
ensure proper testing and accurate
results.
Your water should also be tested
after replacing or repairing part of the
well system (piping, pump, or the well
itself) or if you notice a change in the
water's look, taste, or smell.
Interpretation and Explanation of
the Results
The amount of risk associated with a
drinking water contaminant depends on
the nature of the specific contaminant,
individual susceptibility, and the concen-
tration or amount present in the water.
Some contaminants present short-term or
acute risks to human health. For example,
it may take only one bacterium or virus to
make a person sick, and the consumption
of excessive nitrate levels over a relatively
short period of time can be dangerous. On
the other hand, many other contaminants
pose a long-term or chronic threat to your
health. That is, a little bit on a regular basis
over a long period of time could cause
health problems.
EPA drinking water regulations for
public water systems aim to protect
people from both short and long term
health hazards. The maximum allowable
amounts of contaminants in treated water
are based on a lifetime of protection.
Public water systems are required to
routinely monitor their water prior to
delivery to ensure that it meets established
standards.
The individual well owner, however,
must rely on proper interpretation and
explanation of lab results in relationship to
federal or state drinking water standards
to know if the water is safe. In some cases,
the laboratory will provide a very helpful
explanation. Otherwise, the well owner
will have to rely on others.
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The following sources may be able to
help:
• The state water well contractor licens-
ing agency can help you understand
the significance of the laboratory
results, and will also provide informa-
tion on proper well construction and
protection of your water supply. The
agency is usually located in the state
capital (or other major city) and is often
part of the department of health or
environmental protection. Check the
"government pages" of your local
phone book or call the American
Ground Water Trust at (614) 761-2215
for the licensing agency phone number.
• The local health department may help
you understand the results, and might
also provide information about any
present or potential concerns it has
regarding contamination of drinking
water in your area, as well as offer
suggestions about how to protect the
well against contamination.
• The state drinking water program can
explain how your lab results compare
to the standards established for the
state's public water systems. State
programs are usually located in the
state capital (or another major city) and
are often part of the department of
health or environmental regulation.
Consult the blue "government pages"
in your local phone book for the proper
address and phone number.
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency operates a toll-free, nation-
wide information service—the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (see last
page). The Hotline can help by
explaining the federal regulations
that apply to public water systems,
and further, by comparing the
"numbers" in your lab report to the
established federal standards. In
addition, the Hotline can provide
copies of the federal drinking water
regulations, which contain a list of
contaminants monitored by public
water systems; provide copies of
health advisories that have been
prepared for specific drinking water
contaminants; locate your state
drinking water program; and
identify your state laboratory
certification officer to get a list of
approved labs.
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Well Construction and
Maintenance
Proper well construction and
continued maintenance of the system
are essential to the provision ot an
SS^ water supV *«*
well contractor licensing agency,
health department or local water
system professional should be able to
provide information on well construe-
tion.
Many homeowners tend to forget the
value of proper maintenance until
problems reach crisis levels that
demand immediate and often drastic
action. Maintaining a well mvoWes early
detection and correction of problems
that could reduce well P***™?08'..
Ke\p up-to-date records of well mstaUa-
tion!repairs, pumping tests and water
testo. Such well records can he p identify
Sges in the supply, contamination of
?te water source, or deterioration of the
water system. If you encounter prob-
lems, have a local expert check your
well construction and maintenance
records to determine if your well is
within acceptable standards.
And, importantly, protect your own
well area, by proper storage and
Tsposal of household and lawn care
chemicals and wastes; careful applica-
tion of fertilizers and pesticides; sound
agricultural practices to reduce erosion
and prevent surface runoff; routine
checks of underground storage tanks
that hold home heating oil or gasoline,
and adequate protection from the
wastes of livestock, pets, and wildlife.
Consult the Local Experts
Valuable sources of information,
ad^,and assistance can befound dose
to home. Following is a list of these local
experts":
• The local health department can help
you in many ways, as mentioned
above Within the health department, a
registered sanitarian is likely to be the
most experienced and knowledgeable
£rson to identify and correct problems
with private wells.
. Local professional water well contrac-
i°i are also knowledgeable about well
Sing and familiar with the particu ar
eeology and water conditions in your
Sea. Look in the yellow pages of your
phone book or contact your state water
well contractor licensing agency. Call
the National Water Well Association
* (614 761-1711 to identify NWWA
certified water well contractors in your
area.
Source: National Rural Water Association
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• The nearest public water system may
explain what they consider common
threats to their supply of water and
may assist you with sampling, analysis,
and interpretation of tests done on your
water. Consult the local health depart-
ment or the phone book for the name
and address of the closest system.
• Local or county planning commissions
may provide information about past
and present land use in your area.
• Local County Extension agents may
have information about local land use,
including agriculture and forestry
practices, and may also provide
information about water testing.
• The U.S. Soil Conservation Service and
the U.S. Geological Survey—both in
the blue pages of your local phone
book—may provide information about
local soils and the hydrogeological
nature of the area < i.e., where the local
water supply is located, how it is
recharged or replenished, and how
readily it can become contaminated).
• Your local public library may also
have records and maps that can
provide this information, including the
occurrence of radon.
• Nearby colleges and universities have
research facilities that can provide a
wealth of knowledge and expertise, as
well as a possible place for testing.
Remedy Problems Immediately
If you determine that your well water
is contaminated, remedy the problem as
soon as possible. In some cases, you
may need to disinfect the water source,
have a new well drilled, replumb or
repair your system, or possibly consider
hooking into a nearby community water
system (if one is available). If you have a
new well drilled or connect to a commu-
nity water system, the abandoned well
should be properly decommissioned.
Consult "local experts" for assistance.
You might also consider the installa-
tion and use of an appropriate water
treatment device. Information about
treatment devices can be obtained from
the following:
Water Quality Association
P.O. Box 606
Lisle, IL 60532
National Sanitation Foundation
P.O. Box 1468
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
Public Information Center
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Please note: different types of home
water treatment devices are designed to
remove different types of contami-
nants—no one device does it all; further,
it is essential that home treatment
devices are strictly maintained by the
user to assure their continued effective-
ness. For more information, obtain a
copy of EPA's pamphlet, "Home Water
Treatment Units."
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