In many rural areas, homes depend on wells to supply for their needs. While the Environmental Protection Agency requires that public supplies be tested to ensure they meet certain standards, such tests are not generally required for private wells in the United States. Well water testing ensures a home's supply is safe for the family to consume.
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.
One of the greatest concerns is contamination by bacteria often found in the digestive systems of humans and other warm blooded animals. For example, the lab may perform a total coliform count to indicate the number of such bacteria in the sample size. If such counts are high, there is a larger chance of the presence of other bacteria, which can cause harm, being present in the sample.
A more specific bacterial test is for Escherichia coli, often abbreviated as E. Coli. A positive test for E. Coli indicates fecal contamination of wells. While the indicator form of E. Coli is generally harmless, the germs that contaminate wells when it is present may cause health problems including hepatitis, dysentery or diarrhea. Owners should note the presence of the indicator E. Coli is not the same as the more dangerous strain of the bacteria that often makes the news.
The pH of the sample indicates if it is acid or basic. The pH affects the taste as well as the looks of one's supply. The pH of a neutral sample is 7.0. If numbers are much higher or lower than 7.0, the liquid can leach heavy metals from pipes to the tap. Liquids that are not neutral can also damage pipes and over time make the occupants of the home sick.
While nitrates are used as preservatives in foods, they should not be found in the wells that supply homes. Continual consumption can make one ill. They often come from flooded septic tanks or sewers as well as animal waste and other farm runoff. They affect the quality of wells. Other sources include natural geographic formations.
In some regions, volatile organic compounds from fuel or industrial pollution contaminate wells. The exact VOCs for which one should test depend on the location in which one lives. If they are a problem in your region, the local health department can tell you the tests to have completed.
Other health concerns are also location specific. These could include chemicals such as radium, mercury or arsenic. You may live in an area where wells need to be tested for specific germs to ensure safety for the family.
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.
One of the greatest concerns is contamination by bacteria often found in the digestive systems of humans and other warm blooded animals. For example, the lab may perform a total coliform count to indicate the number of such bacteria in the sample size. If such counts are high, there is a larger chance of the presence of other bacteria, which can cause harm, being present in the sample.
A more specific bacterial test is for Escherichia coli, often abbreviated as E. Coli. A positive test for E. Coli indicates fecal contamination of wells. While the indicator form of E. Coli is generally harmless, the germs that contaminate wells when it is present may cause health problems including hepatitis, dysentery or diarrhea. Owners should note the presence of the indicator E. Coli is not the same as the more dangerous strain of the bacteria that often makes the news.
The pH of the sample indicates if it is acid or basic. The pH affects the taste as well as the looks of one's supply. The pH of a neutral sample is 7.0. If numbers are much higher or lower than 7.0, the liquid can leach heavy metals from pipes to the tap. Liquids that are not neutral can also damage pipes and over time make the occupants of the home sick.
While nitrates are used as preservatives in foods, they should not be found in the wells that supply homes. Continual consumption can make one ill. They often come from flooded septic tanks or sewers as well as animal waste and other farm runoff. They affect the quality of wells. Other sources include natural geographic formations.
In some regions, volatile organic compounds from fuel or industrial pollution contaminate wells. The exact VOCs for which one should test depend on the location in which one lives. If they are a problem in your region, the local health department can tell you the tests to have completed.
Other health concerns are also location specific. These could include chemicals such as radium, mercury or arsenic. You may live in an area where wells need to be tested for specific germs to ensure safety for the family.
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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