Water Testing

According to the well water data collected, nearly one in four wells were found to be contaminated with coliform bacteria.

Many well water supplies have a low pH (acidic water) while some have high levels of iron and manganese. A few private wells were also found to have arsenic and uranium. Although testing is not required for homeowners with existing wells, it is important practice to follow on a scheduled basis.

Homeowners with private wells are responsible for the quality of their own drinking water. They are generally not required to test their drinking water. However, testing is a good idea even if you do not suspect a problem because testing is the only way to be sure your water is safe to drink. A good time to test is when buying a home so that you can make any contamination findings part of your home purchase decision, or before getting ready to sell your house, so buyers can see the great results! The best time of the year to test is after a spring or summer heavy rainy period. Even if your current water supply proves to be clean and safe to drink, regular testing is important because it establishes a record of water quality that may help identify and solve future problems.

Protect your Well!!

You can protect your private well by paying careful attention to what you do in and around your home as well as your neighbor’s activities near your well. Regular testing and good practices to prevent contamination can help ensure that your well supplies you and your family with good quality drinking water. Here are some important ways you can protect your drinking water well:

• Locate a new well far from potential contamination sources.
• Hire a professional to construct a new well and periodically inspect an existing well.
• Use backflow prevention devices on outside faucets
• Properly seal abandoned and unused wells.
• Never flush gasoline, motor oils, automotive chemicals, painting chemicals or solvents down the sink or toilet into a septic system.
• Inspect and maintain your septic system.
• Keep livestock and pet waste away from well.
• Do not allow road, driveway or roof runoff to collect around well.
• Do not mix or use pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, fuels or other hazardous materials near well.