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.
Several tests that are performed are for indicator organisms and chemicals that show the likelihood of more dangerous contaminates. While these indicator strains or chemicals may not cause illness, they often occur with more dangerous ones for which testing is more difficult. Their presence indicates potential contamination by such problems as raw sewage.
Contamination by the bacteria found in the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals is one way to test for possible contamination of disease causing bacteria. The total coliform count is an indicator of the number of this type of bacteria in a specified amount of sample. If the count is high, the chances of other bacteria that are more harmful being in the tested material are greater.
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.
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 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.
Volatile organic compounds are a problem in some regions. They are generally the result of industrial pollution or fuel spills. The exact VOCs for which the sample should be tested will vary by location. Check with the local heath department or testing lab for further information.
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.
It is generally a good idea to submit samples for well water testing on an annual basis. Submit samples if you notice a difference in the quality of the supply or if there have been land disturbances or repairs to the system. Proper testing is essential to ensure your family remains healthy.
Several tests that are performed are for indicator organisms and chemicals that show the likelihood of more dangerous contaminates. While these indicator strains or chemicals may not cause illness, they often occur with more dangerous ones for which testing is more difficult. Their presence indicates potential contamination by such problems as raw sewage.
Contamination by the bacteria found in the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals is one way to test for possible contamination of disease causing bacteria. The total coliform count is an indicator of the number of this type of bacteria in a specified amount of sample. If the count is high, the chances of other bacteria that are more harmful being in the tested material are greater.
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.
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 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.
Volatile organic compounds are a problem in some regions. They are generally the result of industrial pollution or fuel spills. The exact VOCs for which the sample should be tested will vary by location. Check with the local heath department or testing lab for further information.
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.
It is generally a good idea to submit samples for well water testing on an annual basis. Submit samples if you notice a difference in the quality of the supply or if there have been land disturbances or repairs to the system. Proper testing is essential to ensure your family remains healthy.
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