In deciding what additional tests to
do, it is best to understand the history
of land use at your property and the
abutting properties. You may wish to
inquire with neighbors, town officials
and state agencies. This will help you
to focus your list of the less routine
items to test.
The less-routine tests may not be
performed at all laboratories.
When To Test
Recent regulations (still under
development) require prospective
homebuyers to test the water in a home
with a private well before purchase.
Water quality in wells is generally
stable, and if a change is going to
occur, it occurs slowly. Thus the inter-
val between water quality tests can
be once per year for some items and
less frequently for others (see chart),
provided the well is properly
constructed and located in a safe area.
However, the following conditions
would prompt more frequent testing:
• Heavily developed areas with land
uses that handle hazardous chemicals.
• Recent well construction activities
or repairs. HEALTH recommends
taking a bacterial test after any well
repair or pump or plumbing modifica-
tion, but only after disinfection and
substantial flushing of the water
system.
• Contaminant concentrations above
state or federal standards found in
earlier testing.
• Noticeable variations in quality — e.g.
water quality change after a heavy rain
or an unexplained change in a previ-
ously trouble-free well (i.e. funny taste,
cloudy appearance, etc.).
When taking any sample, HEALTH
recommends that it be taken after a
heavy rainstorm. These events tend to
highlight conditions of improper well
construction or poor soil filtration.
What the Tests Tell You
Results will reveal the level at which
any of the tested substances were found
in your water sample. The mere pres-
ence of contaminants in well water does
not necessarily imply that there is a prob-
lem. However, when levels exceed state
or federal health standards, you should
take steps to correct the situation.
You should contact a licensed well
driller/pump installer for any well
repairs or replacement. Several methods
are available from commercial contrac-
tors to treat contaminated water.
HEALTH has links to informational
documents on the web concerning all
common water quality problems and
their solutions.
For More Information
RIDept. of Health
Office of Drinking Water Quality
3 Capitol Hill - Room 209
Providence, RI02908-5097
(401) 222-6867
www.health.ri.gov
This brochure was funded in part by the
US Environmental Protection Agency.
©[printed en 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50%
post ccnsuner waste, using Asgstafcle based inks
Protect
Your
Family
Test Your Well's
Water Quality
Today
A Guide to Water
Quality Testing for
Private Wells in
Rhode Island
ii in it in
mniinai
HFAITH
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
EPA 901-F-04-002B February 2004
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Private Wells
If you have a private well as a drink-
ing water source, water quality testing
should be important to you and your
family.
Some contaminants in drinking water
have been linked to cancer and toxicity,
posing a risk to human health. Many
contaminants often have no taste, odor,
or color. Their presence can only be
determined by laboratory testing.
While testing is required only at the
time of sale of properties with non-
public wells, the Rhode Island Depart-
ment of Health (HEALTH) recommends
that all homeowners with private wells
test their water regularly. Testing should
be performed at a laboratory licensed by
the State of Rhode Island.
Contamination of Wells
Well water originates as rain and
snowmelt that filters into the ground.
As it soaks through the soil, the water
can dissolve contaminants that are
present on or in the ground.
Some contaminants are naturally
occuring from features found in the
rocks and soils of Rhode Island. These
include substances like bacteria, radon,
beryllium, arsenic, uranium, and other
minerals.
Other contaminants find their way
onto the land from human activities.
On a large scale, industrial/commercial
activities, improper waste disposal, road
salting, and fuel spills can introduce
hazardous substances to the ground.
Many residental activities, such as
theuse of fertilizers and pesticides,
fueling of lawn care equipment, and
disposal of household chemicals can
contaminate the ground when done
improperly. An improperly maintained
on-site residential septic system can pose
a threat to your well. That is why taking
measures to protect your well from
contamination is so important.
Recommended Tests
The following tests identify common
contaminants found in our state's
well water. Although more tests could
be added, this list provides a cost-effec-
tive, reasonable overview of a well's
water quality. It is not necessary to do all
of these tests at one time.
4 Standard Analysis
This basic analysis covers the most
common contaminants. Some of these
contaminants pose health-related con-
cerns, while others only affect aesthet-
ics (taste and odor).
4 Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Elements
Dissolved radon is a common well
water problem. Presently, there are no
federal or state standards for radon
in drinking water, only suggested
action levels. HEALTH estimates that
most private wells in Rhode Island
exceed the suggested action levels, so
testing for radon is important. Because
the dissolved radon gas is released to
the air during normal water use, you
should consider checking your indoor
air radon levels as well.
Contaminants & Testing Frequency
Standard Analysis Testing Frequency
*Bacteria Yearly
*Nitrate/Nitrite
Sodium
*Fluoride
*lron
Every 3-5 yrs
"Lead
*Manganese
pH
"Turbidity
'Minimum requirements for property transfer.
Radon
VOCs
Every 3-5 yrs
Every 5-10 yrs
Naturally occurringradioactive minerals,
such as radium and uranium may be
dissolved in well water. A Gross Alpha
Screen is a simple test to judge whether
further testing for radium or uranium
might be needed.
4 Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs)
The most common VOCs come from
gasoline compounds (such as MTBE and
benzene) and industrial solvents. MTBE
can be found in well water even in remote
areas.
4 Additional Tests
Circumstances relative to your well may
require additional testing not described
here. For instance, HEALTH does not
recommend routine testing for things
like pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic
organic compounds, mainly because of
the high cost. However, such testing may be
warranted, depending on where you live.
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