Protecting Household Drinking Water

1. Protecting Household Drinking Water This lesson teaches participants the basics of well and septic system protection and management. It is often one of the most popular lessons, as most people are very concerned about the quality of their drinking water. This lesson teaches participants the basics of well and septic system protection and management. It is often one of the most popular lessons, as most people are very concerned about the quality of their drinking water.

2. This powerpoint will cover: Watersheds and water pollution How wells work How to test drinking water Protecting well water supplies Instructor: Put agenda on flip chart or board.Instructor: Put agenda on flip chart or board.

3. We all live in watersheds, which are the areas that drain to a common point in a river or lake. Our actions in a watershed determine the quality of water downstream. In the last lesson, we talked about watersheds. Our actions in a watershed help determine the quality of water flowing from the watershed. The boundaries of a watershed are determined by topography. The highest points surrounding a stream or river, called divides, are the boundaries of a watershed. If a drop of water falls on one side of a divide, it will drain into that watershed’s river or lake. If it lands on the other side, it will drain into the river or lake of the adjacent watershed. Instructor: Optional Exercise: Provide a topographic map of a local watershed to participants. The most detailed maps from USGS are the 7.5-minute series. The area of a 7.5-minute map is about 7 miles long and 7 miles wide. The maps show the shape and elevation of land forms with contour lines. To illustrate contour lines, make a fist with one hand. The fist has width, length, and height, just like the land. With a water soluble pen or magic marker, draw a level circle around your highest knuckle. Draw a second circle just below that one. Start a third line a little lower. To stay level, the pen may trace around another knuckle before the third circle is closed. Continue to draw circles, each one beneath the last. Lines will wander in and out of the valleys between your fingers, over the broad slope on the back of your hand and across the steep cliffs above your thumb. After all the lines are drawn, spread your hand flat. Now it has only width and length, just like a map, but by looking at the contour lines you can still imagine the shape of your fist. Lines that are close together indicate steep areas, and lines farther apart show more gentle slopes. Topo maps can be printed from this web site: www.topozone.com In the last lesson, we talked about watersheds. Our actions in a watershed help determine the quality of water flowing from the watershed. The boundaries of a watershed are determined by topography. The highest points surrounding a stream or river, called divides, are the boundaries of a watershed. If a drop of water falls on one side of a divide, it will drain into that watershed’s river or lake. If it lands on the other side, it will drain into the river or lake of the adjacent watershed. Instructor: Optional Exercise: Provide a topographic map of a local watershed to participants. The most detailed maps from USGS are the 7.5-minute series. The area of a 7.5-minute map is about 7 miles long and 7 miles wide. The maps show the shape and elevation of land forms with contour lines. To illustrate contour lines, make a fist with one hand. The fist has width, length, and height, just like the land. With a water soluble pen or magic marker, draw a level circle around your highest knuckle. Draw a second circle just below that one. Start a third line a little lower. To stay level, the pen may trace around another knuckle before the third circle is closed. Continue to draw circles, each one beneath the last. Lines will wander in and out of the valleys between your fingers, over the broad slope on the back of your hand and across the steep cliffs above your thumb. After all the lines are drawn, spread your hand flat. Now it has only width and length, just like a map, but by looking at the contour lines you can still imagine the shape of your fist. Lines that are close together indicate steep areas, and lines farther apart show more gentle slopes. Topo maps can be printed from this web site: www.topozone.com

4. The cycling of Earth’s water is one of the oldest ‘recycling’ schemes in nature. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes and rivers when heated by the sun. Plants also release water vapor into the air via transpiration. The water vapor condenses into clouds, and water returns to the land by way of rain or snowfall, called precipitation. Some of the water runs off the land surface to fill lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans, called “surface water.” Surface water is easily contaminated because it is open to inputs of wastes and other pollutants. Some of the precipitation soaks into the ground (infiltrates) to replenish the ground water supply. The level at which the underground geologic formation is saturated with water is called the water table. Some ground water seeps back into streams and lakes to maintain flows. An aquifer is a formation that produces enough water to be useful for well water supplies. Ground water produces about 50 percent of drinking water nationwide. It is more protected from our activities than surface water, but shallow aquifers are still at risk of contamination. Graphic adapted by A. Miller from “Approaches to the Impacts of Urbanization”, Center for Watershed Protection, Inc., 1999. The cycling of Earth’s water is one of the oldest ‘recycling’ schemes in nature. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes and rivers when heated by the sun. Plants also release water vapor into the air via transpiration. The water vapor condenses into clouds, and water returns to the land by way of rain or snowfall, called precipitation. Some of the water runs off the land surface to fill lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans, called “surface water.” Surface water is easily contaminated because it is open to inputs of wastes and other pollutants. Some of the precipitation soaks into the ground (infiltrates) to replenish the ground water supply. The level at which the underground geologic formation is saturated with water is called the water table. Some ground water seeps back into streams and lakes to maintain flows. An aquifer is a formation that produces enough water to be useful for well water supplies. Ground water produces about 50 percent of drinking water nationwide. It is more protected from our activities than surface water, but shallow aquifers are still at risk of contamination. Graphic adapted by A. Miller from “Approaches to the Impacts of Urbanization”, Center for Watershed Protection, Inc., 1999.

5. Ground water accumulates when surface water soaks into the soil and moves downward. Wells are drilled into the zone of saturation in the aquifer. Unlike popular perception, water seldom runs in “rivers” underground. Instead, ground water simply fills all the spaces between soil or rock particles to saturate the formation. Ground water accumulates from precipitation or surface water which soaks into (infiltrates) the soil and moves downward (percolates) to the water table, which is the uppermost layer of the zone of saturation. The process by which underground water deposits, called aquifers, are replenished from the surface is called recharge. Above the water table, some pores are not filled. Wells tap into the zone of saturation to provide water for domestic uses. Ground water is a renewable resource. In most parts of the United States, water removed from the ground is constantly replaced. However, in some parts of the country such as arid and semiarid regions, a low rate of replenishment is far exceeded by the rate of ground water pumping, resulting in serious problems of ground water mining. Adequate time is needed to allow replenishment of underlying ground water reservoirs (aquifers). Such areas also must be properly managed in order to prevent water-soluble waste products stored in these areas from infiltrating and polluting the underground supply. Wells are drilled into the zone of saturation in the aquifer. Unlike popular perception, water seldom runs in “rivers” underground. Instead, ground water simply fills all the spaces between soil or rock particles to saturate the formation. Ground water accumulates from precipitation or surface water which soaks into (infiltrates) the soil and moves downward (percolates) to the water table, which is the uppermost layer of the zone of saturation. The process by which underground water deposits, called aquifers, are replenished from the surface is called recharge. Above the water table, some pores are not filled. Wells tap into the zone of saturation to provide water for domestic uses. Ground water is a renewable resource. In most parts of the United States, water removed from the ground is constantly replaced. However, in some parts of the country such as arid and semiarid regions, a low rate of replenishment is far exceeded by the rate of ground water pumping, resulting in serious problems of ground water mining. Adequate time is needed to allow replenishment of underlying ground water reservoirs (aquifers). Such areas also must be properly managed in order to prevent water-soluble waste products stored in these areas from infiltrating and polluting the underground supply.

6. Wells A drilled well consists of a hole bored into the ground, with the upper part being lined with casing. The casing prevents the collapse of the borehole walls and, with a drive shoe or grout seal, prevents surface or subsurface contaminants from entering the water supply. The casing also provides a housing for a pumping mechanism and for the pipe that moves water from the pump to the surface. The casing must meet certain specifications, since substandard pipe does not have sufficient strength to withstand driving without potential damage to the joints. Such damage may allow shallow or surface water to enter the well. The casing must also have a drive shoe attached to the bottom to prevent damage during driving and to make a good seal with the formation. In some applications, a grout seal of cement or bentonite may also be recommended to prevent contamination. Below the casing, the lower portion of the borehole is the intake through which water enters the well. The intake may be an open hole in solid bedrock or it may be screened and gravel-packed, depending upon the geologic conditions. Once the well is completed, it is bailed or pumped to develop the well and determine the yield. Many areas need further work after drilling to remove fine material remaining from the drilling process so that water can more readily enter the well. Possible development methods include compressed air (blowing), bailing, jetting, surging, or pumping. The quantity of water (yield test) is usually measured during development. The minimum test time is one hour. After proper disinfection, the well is capped to provide sanitary protection until it is hooked into the customer’s system. The cap requires an air vent. The purpose of the vent is to equalize the air pressure between the inside of the casing and the atmosphere, and to release unpleasant or explosive lighter-than-air gases. If such gases are present and the well is enclosed in a building or confined space, the air vent should always be extended to the outside atmosphere. The vent pipe must be shielded and screened to prevent the entry of foreign material such as insects into the well. If drilling produces poor quality water, the water can be sealed off. One method is to install additional casing or liner inside the original casing and grout it into place. If the water quality remains unsatisfactory, or if construction defects cannot be remedied, the well must be abandoned and completely sealed to prevent cross-contamination between sites. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT.A drilled well consists of a hole bored into the ground, with the upper part being lined with casing. The casing prevents the collapse of the borehole walls and, with a drive shoe or grout seal, prevents surface or subsurface contaminants from entering the water supply. The casing also provides a housing for a pumping mechanism and for the pipe that moves water from the pump to the surface. The casing must meet certain specifications, since substandard pipe does not have sufficient strength to withstand driving without potential damage to the joints. Such damage may allow shallow or surface water to enter the well. The casing must also have a drive shoe attached to the bottom to prevent damage during driving and to make a good seal with the formation. In some applications, a grout seal of cement or bentonite may also be recommended to prevent contamination. Below the casing, the lower portion of the borehole is the intake through which water enters the well. The intake may be an open hole in solid bedrock or it may be screened and gravel-packed, depending upon the geologic conditions. Once the well is completed, it is bailed or pumped to develop the well and determine the yield. Many areas need further work after drilling to remove fine material remaining from the drilling process so that water can more readily enter the well. Possible development methods include compressed air (blowing), bailing, jetting, surging, or pumping. The quantity of water (yield test) is usually measured during development. The minimum test time is one hour. After proper disinfection, the well is capped to provide sanitary protection until it is hooked into the customer’s system. The cap requires an air vent. The purpose of the vent is to equalize the air pressure between the inside of the casing and the atmosphere, and to release unpleasant or explosive lighter-than-air gases. If such gases are present and the well is enclosed in a building or confined space, the air vent should always be extended to the outside atmosphere. The vent pipe must be shielded and screened to prevent the entry of foreign material such as insects into the well. If drilling produces poor quality water, the water can be sealed off. One method is to install additional casing or liner inside the original casing and grout it into place. If the water quality remains unsatisfactory, or if construction defects cannot be remedied, the well must be abandoned and completely sealed to prevent cross-contamination between sites. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT.

7. Who protects my drinking water? The Safe Drinking Water Act, first created in 1974, is the main federal law that regulates drinking water provided by municipal water suppliers The EPA sets standards and oversees water suppliers Ensuring safe water from private wells is the responsibility of the homeowner The National Ground Water Association has determined that 52 percent of the U.S. population depends on ground water for its drinking water supply, either from a public source or a private well. There are 282,828 public supply wells in the United States. These are wells for public distribution systems. In comparison, there are 15.1 million individual households served by private wells. Approximately 800,000 boreholes are drilled in the United States annually. The construction of these vitally needed water supply systems involves the use of more than 19,000 drilling rigs by an estimated 8,000 ground water contracting firms. On average, about 95 gallons are required per person per day for indoor uses, including cooking, bathing, washing clothes, etc. This does not include water for livestock or irrigation uses. We expect water to be fit and safe to drink, or potable. However, more and more instances of ground water contamination are reported in the news every day. Once contaminated, ground water is extremely difficult to remediate. Estimates suggest that 2 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 5 million individuals, are presently affected by contaminated drinking water. Thousands of wells have been shut down due to contamination by synthetic organic chemical compounds and other toxins leaking from abandoned and still-in-use dumps. The Safe Drinking Water Act is one of the more successful federal environmental laws. Created in 1974, it regulates the quality of drinking water provided by municipal water suppliers that serve more than 25 homes. Water from private wells is not monitored for quality by government agencies. This means you, the homeowner, are responsible for the safety of the drinking water you and your family use. Instructor: Provide copies of state and EPA standards and discuss how to interpret the numbers. Application of the numbers will follow the discussion on water testing.The National Ground Water Association has determined that 52 percent of the U.S. population depends on ground water for its drinking water supply, either from a public source or a private well. There are 282,828 public supply wells in the United States. These are wells for public distribution systems. In comparison, there are 15.1 million individual households served by private wells. Approximately 800,000 boreholes are drilled in the United States annually. The construction of these vitally needed water supply systems involves the use of more than 19,000 drilling rigs by an estimated 8,000 ground water contracting firms. On average, about 95 gallons are required per person per day for indoor uses, including cooking, bathing, washing clothes, etc. This does not include water for livestock or irrigation uses. We expect water to be fit and safe to drink, or potable. However, more and more instances of ground water contamination are reported in the news every day. Once contaminated, ground water is extremely difficult to remediate. Estimates suggest that 2 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 5 million individuals, are presently affected by contaminated drinking water. Thousands of wells have been shut down due to contamination by synthetic organic chemical compounds and other toxins leaking from abandoned and still-in-use dumps. The Safe Drinking Water Act is one of the more successful federal environmental laws. Created in 1974, it regulates the quality of drinking water provided by municipal water suppliers that serve more than 25 homes. Water from private wells is not monitored for quality by government agencies. This means you, the homeowner, are responsible for the safety of the drinking water you and your family use. Instructor: Provide copies of state and EPA standards and discuss how to interpret the numbers. Application of the numbers will follow the discussion on water testing.

8. How do I know if my water is safe to drink? Water testing helps ensure that your water is safe. Don’t depend on the results of your neighbor’s water analysis to describe your well’s water quality, because even wells that are close together may draw water from separate aquifers. In the next slides, we’ll discuss how to take a valid sample, and what the results mean. Instructor: Do the “Which would YOU drink?” activity to reinforce the concept that water that looks fine may not be potable.Water testing helps ensure that your water is safe. Don’t depend on the results of your neighbor’s water analysis to describe your well’s water quality, because even wells that are close together may draw water from separate aquifers. In the next slides, we’ll discuss how to take a valid sample, and what the results mean. Instructor: Do the “Which would YOU drink?” activity to reinforce the concept that water that looks fine may not be potable.

9. Where can I have my water tested? Private labs vs. state health labs Make sure lab is certified for drinking water analysis Check with lab before you do the test to make sure you have all the necessary information Ask about costs and turnaround time Water may be analyzed by any certified laboratory. Check to see if there is a state health lab or other facility that can provide the tests. Cost of the routine analysis will vary with private labs, so ask for rates in advance. Ask the laboratory the best way to ship the samples so that their quality is not affected. The lab will provide sampling instructions and sample containers as well as information on maximum hold time and temperatures at which samples should be stored. Most often, samples should be refrigerated or stored in a cooler. When in doubt, ask the lab! Instructor: Provide a list of local labs and bring in sample bottles and instructions for participants, if possible. Water may be analyzed by any certified laboratory. Check to see if there is a state health lab or other facility that can provide the tests. Cost of the routine analysis will vary with private labs, so ask for rates in advance. Ask the laboratory the best way to ship the samples so that their quality is not affected. The lab will provide sampling instructions and sample containers as well as information on maximum hold time and temperatures at which samples should be stored. Most often, samples should be refrigerated or stored in a cooler. When in doubt, ask the lab! Instructor: Provide a list of local labs and bring in sample bottles and instructions for participants, if possible.

10. What should I test for? NEW WELLS OR NEW HOMES: Test for bacteria Request a separate general water chemistry panel analysis Many lenders will require a well be tested for bacteria and chemistry prior to approving a loan. There are other constituents that can be measured, including pesticides, MTBE and total hydrocarbons, organics, radiologic parameters, etc. These must be specially requested and may be very expensive, but are sometimes necessary if you have reason to believe contamination may have occurred. Many lenders will require a well be tested for bacteria and chemistry prior to approving a loan. There are other constituents that can be measured, including pesticides, MTBE and total hydrocarbons, organics, radiologic parameters, etc. These must be specially requested and may be very expensive, but are sometimes necessary if you have reason to believe contamination may have occurred.

11. What’s included in a standard chemistry panel? pH TDS Hardness Calcium Magnesium Sodium Potassium Instructor: Adjust the list to reflect your state’s standard panel. If at all possible, contact your state lab and have them provide instructions and order forms for tests. Also ask for a price list. The routine analysis listed above costs $106 in Nevada in 2001. If priced separately, the cost would be well over $200. Also point out that public labs may be less expensive than private, for-profit labs. The most important consideration when selecting a lab is that it is a certified drinking water lab. A popular activity is to have participants bring in samples of their tap water and then use nitrate dipsticks to get a general estimate of the nitrate level. Stress that the dipstick method is not very accurate, and their choices of water containers may also have affected their results. Nitrate testing kits are fairly inexpensive (less than $60) and give more precise results, although the test takes much longer to complete.Instructor: Adjust the list to reflect your state’s standard panel. If at all possible, contact your state lab and have them provide instructions and order forms for tests. Also ask for a price list. The routine analysis listed above costs $106 in Nevada in 2001. If priced separately, the cost would be well over $200. Also point out that public labs may be less expensive than private, for-profit labs. The most important consideration when selecting a lab is that it is a certified drinking water lab. A popular activity is to have participants bring in samples of their tap water and then use nitrate dipsticks to get a general estimate of the nitrate level. Stress that the dipstick method is not very accurate, and their choices of water containers may also have affected their results. Nitrate testing kits are fairly inexpensive (less than $60) and give more precise results, although the test takes much longer to complete.

12. What should I test for every year? EXISTING WELLS: Test for bacteria Test for pH, nitrate and total dissolved solids (TDS) Test for any constituents that are at or near the drinking water standard Bacteria: The test for bacteria measures contamination of drinking water by fecal material from humans and warm-blooded animals. It may also indicate the presence of soil and plant material contamination. Bacteria in water can be a serious health problem. If the test confirms the presence of coliform bacteria, it indicates the supply is unsanitary and may contain disease-causing organisms. At a minimum, you should retest your water to be sure that the results of the test are accurate and bacteria are present. In any case, take action to decontaminate and retest your well before drinking coliform-positive water. pH: pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in water. The pH of water indicates whether the water is acid or alkaline. The measurement of pH ranges from 1 to 14 with a pH of 7 indicating a neutral condition (neither acid nor alkaline). Numbers lower than 7 indicate acidity; numbers higher than 7 indicate alkalinity. Drinking water with a pH between 6.5 and 8.5 is generally considered satisfactory. Acid waters tend to be corrosive to plumbing and faucets, particularly if the pH is below 6. Alkaline waters are less corrosive. Waters with a pH above 8.5 may tend to have a bitter or soda like taste. TDS: High concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) may cause adverse taste effects. Highly mineralized water may also deteriorate domestic plumbing and appliances. It is recommended that waters containing more than 500 mg/l of dissolved solids not be used if other less mineralized supplies are available. This does not mean water containing more than 500 mg/l TDS is unusable. Nitrate: Nitrate is normally found in very limited quantities in groundwater. Presence of nitrate indicates that the well is connected to a surface water source somewhere. High nitrate may cause methemoglobinemia (infant cyanosis or "blue baby disease") in infants who drink water or formula made from water containing nitrate levels higher than recommended. The drinking water standard for NO3-N is 10 mg/L. Adults can drink water with considerably higher concentrations than infants without adverse affects, however it is best to follow the standards when making decisions about consumption. Livestock water can contain up to 100 mg/l of nitrate-nitrogen, but young monogastric animals such as hogs may be affected by nitrate levels of considerably less than 100 mg/l. Bacteria: The test for bacteria measures contamination of drinking water by fecal material from humans and warm-blooded animals. It may also indicate the presence of soil and plant material contamination. Bacteria in water can be a serious health problem. If the test confirms the presence of coliform bacteria, it indicates the supply is unsanitary and may contain disease-causing organisms. At a minimum, you should retest your water to be sure that the results of the test are accurate and bacteria are present. In any case, take action to decontaminate and retest your well before drinking coliform-positive water. pH: pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in water. The pH of water indicates whether the water is acid or alkaline. The measurement of pH ranges from 1 to 14 with a pH of 7 indicating a neutral condition (neither acid nor alkaline). Numbers lower than 7 indicate acidity; numbers higher than 7 indicate alkalinity. Drinking water with a pH between 6.5 and 8.5 is generally considered satisfactory. Acid waters tend to be corrosive to plumbing and faucets, particularly if the pH is below 6. Alkaline waters are less corrosive. Waters with a pH above 8.5 may tend to have a bitter or soda like taste. TDS: High concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) may cause adverse taste effects. Highly mineralized water may also deteriorate domestic plumbing and appliances. It is recommended that waters containing more than 500 mg/l of dissolved solids not be used if other less mineralized supplies are available. This does not mean water containing more than 500 mg/l TDS is unusable. Nitrate: Nitrate is normally found in very limited quantities in groundwater. Presence of nitrate indicates that the well is connected to a surface water source somewhere. High nitrate may cause methemoglobinemia (infant cyanosis or "blue baby disease") in infants who drink water or formula made from water containing nitrate levels higher than recommended. The drinking water standard for NO3-N is 10 mg/L. Adults can drink water with considerably higher concentrations than infants without adverse affects, however it is best to follow the standards when making decisions about consumption. Livestock water can contain up to 100 mg/l of nitrate-nitrogen, but young monogastric animals such as hogs may be affected by nitrate levels of considerably less than 100 mg/l.

13. What should I test for every five years? Have a complete water chemistry analysis performed Keeping track of your results will allow you to determine if your water quality is changing with time. If any constituents are half or more of the drinking water standard or higher, you may want to have them measured on a yearly basis to ensure levels are not getting dangerously high. There are other constituents that can be measured, including pesticides, MTBE and total hydrocarbons, organics, radiologic parameters, etc. These must be specially requested and may be very expensive, but are sometimes necessary if you have reason to believe contamination may have occurred. Instructor: Check with your local health department to see if a different testing period is recommended in your area.Keeping track of your results will allow you to determine if your water quality is changing with time. If any constituents are half or more of the drinking water standard or higher, you may want to have them measured on a yearly basis to ensure levels are not getting dangerously high. There are other constituents that can be measured, including pesticides, MTBE and total hydrocarbons, organics, radiologic parameters, etc. These must be specially requested and may be very expensive, but are sometimes necessary if you have reason to believe contamination may have occurred. Instructor: Check with your local health department to see if a different testing period is recommended in your area.

14. Always keep copies of ALL results so you can track changes in your water quality over time. Instructor: Stress the importance of maintaining accurate records.Instructor: Stress the importance of maintaining accurate records.

15. Also test your water if you: Are considering the purchase of water treatment equipment Want to check the performance of existing water treatment equipment Are purchasing a new home, and want to know if the water supply is of good quality There are many other circumstances under which you may want to test your well water. Some signs are disturbing to us aesthetically, such as a hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg) odor; others are invisible but can be harmful. Remember that water treatment salespeople are in the business of selling their own type of system. NEVER invest in a water treatment system without first having an independent analysis performed. Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout. There are many other circumstances under which you may want to test your well water. Some signs are disturbing to us aesthetically, such as a hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg) odor; others are invisible but can be harmful. Remember that water treatment salespeople are in the business of selling their own type of system. NEVER invest in a water treatment system without first having an independent analysis performed. Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout.

16. Also test your water if: You have drilled a new well, and want to know if the water is safe to drink You are pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or have an infant less than 6 months old Your septic system absorption field, or your neighbor’s, is close to the well (within 100 feet) A separation distance of 100 feet between well and septic system may be marginal, depending on slope and substrate. Class B wells, serving more than 10 people but fewer than 25 people, require 250 feet between the drainfield and the well. Class A wells (serving more than 25 people) require 500 feet! Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout. A separation distance of 100 feet between well and septic system may be marginal, depending on slope and substrate. Class B wells, serving more than 10 people but fewer than 25 people, require 250 feet between the drainfield and the well. Class A wells (serving more than 25 people) require 500 feet! Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout.

17. Also test your water if your well is located near a: Gas station or fuel storage tank Retail chemical facility Gravel pit Mining operation Oil or gas drilling operation Dump, landfill, junkyard, or factory Dry-cleaning business Road-salt storage area, or heavily salted road Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout. Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout.

18. Test your water and fix the system if: Anyone in the household has recurrent gastrointestinal illnesses Your well does not meet construction codes Water leaves scaly residues and stains Water is cloudy or colored Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout. Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout.

19. Test your water and fix the system if: Pipes show signs of corrosion Water supply equipment wears out rapidly, including pumps or water heaters The area around the wellhead has been flooded or submerged Back-siphoning has occurred Water smells or tastes bad Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout. Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout.

20. Test your water and fix the system if: Your well is in or close to a livestock confinement area, such as a corral or feeding area You have mixed or used pesticides near the well, or have spilled pesticides or fuel near the well You have a heating oil tank or underground fuel tank near the well that you know has leaked If your well is in a pasture, corral, or animal holding area, special precautions are needed to safeguard your drinking water. You can put fencing around the wellhead (with as large of a protected area surrounding the well as possible); stop irrigating over the wellhead; have the well inspected; and test your water more frequently. Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout. If your well is in a pasture, corral, or animal holding area, special precautions are needed to safeguard your drinking water. You can put fencing around the wellhead (with as large of a protected area surrounding the well as possible); stop irrigating over the wellhead; have the well inspected; and test your water more frequently. Instructor: Shorten the list to reflect the biggest risks in your area, and then provide the others as a handout.

21. A poorly collected sample is worse than no sample at all …and wastes your money! Remember, when you take a sample of your water, you are relying on a very small amount of water to give you accurate information about the entire source of water – for example, an aquifer. If the sample is not taken correctly, two kinds of problems may occur. First, if you add contaminants to the sample that weren’t there, you could have a false positive, which might lead to unnecessary further sampling or treatment. Second, if you take the sample incorrectly, or do not conform with shipping and storage instructions, you could change the concentration of contaminants, possibly leading to a false negative. In this case, you would miss critical information about the presence of contaminants that could affect your health. In either case, your sample will only provide you with useful, accurate information if you follow collection, storage and shipping instruction with great care. We’re providing some general guidelines for sample collection, but well owners should discuss collection, storage and shipping directly with the laboratory that will carry out the analysis before collecting the sample. Remember, when you take a sample of your water, you are relying on a very small amount of water to give you accurate information about the entire source of water – for example, an aquifer. If the sample is not taken correctly, two kinds of problems may occur. First, if you add contaminants to the sample that weren’t there, you could have a false positive, which might lead to unnecessary further sampling or treatment. Second, if you take the sample incorrectly, or do not conform with shipping and storage instructions, you could change the concentration of contaminants, possibly leading to a false negative. In this case, you would miss critical information about the presence of contaminants that could affect your health. In either case, your sample will only provide you with useful, accurate information if you follow collection, storage and shipping instruction with great care. We’re providing some general guidelines for sample collection, but well owners should discuss collection, storage and shipping directly with the laboratory that will carry out the analysis before collecting the sample.

22. How do I take a water sample? First, call the lab for sample containers and procedures Use the appropriate container for the type of sample Store the sample carefully according to instructions before taking it to the lab The proper collection, handling and preservation of a water sample is crucial for an accurate water test. To get an accurate reading of your water’s chemical make-up, follow these steps: Contact the laboratory and request an appropriate sample collection bottle. Label the bottle with your name, address and phone number. Use a permanent marker. To ensure an accurate reading, operate your water system long enough to remove water from within the well casing prior to sampling. The length of time needed to clear the casing will vary by the depth and diameter of the well, but generally running the outside irrigation system for two to four hours is sufficient. Running water outside the house rather than inside will prevent overloading of the septic system. New wells or water systems not in use for several weeks may require longer pumping periods prior to collecting a water sample. After two to four hours, shut off the outside water. Remove any aerators or screens in the kitchen faucet, and run your tap water for five to six minutes. Now you’re ready to take the sample. Fill the container with tap water according to the instructions from the laboratory and close it tightly. Ship or bring the water sample to the lab. Be sure to include the standard form and mark the types of contaminants you want tested. Also, be sure to follow shipping and storage instructions from the laboratory exactly. Instructor: Provide instructions from local labs.The proper collection, handling and preservation of a water sample is crucial for an accurate water test. To get an accurate reading of your water’s chemical make-up, follow these steps: Contact the laboratory and request an appropriate sample collection bottle. Label the bottle with your name, address and phone number. Use a permanent marker. To ensure an accurate reading, operate your water system long enough to remove water from within the well casing prior to sampling. The length of time needed to clear the casing will vary by the depth and diameter of the well, but generally running the outside irrigation system for two to four hours is sufficient. Running water outside the house rather than inside will prevent overloading of the septic system. New wells or water systems not in use for several weeks may require longer pumping periods prior to collecting a water sample. After two to four hours, shut off the outside water. Remove any aerators or screens in the kitchen faucet, and run your tap water for five to six minutes. Now you’re ready to take the sample. Fill the container with tap water according to the instructions from the laboratory and close it tightly. Ship or bring the water sample to the lab. Be sure to include the standard form and mark the types of contaminants you want tested. Also, be sure to follow shipping and storage instructions from the laboratory exactly. Instructor: Provide instructions from local labs.

23. How do I take a water sample for bacteria? First, call the lab for sample containers and procedures Never rinse out the sample container, as it is sterile and contains a preservative Samples must be kept cool and delivered to the lab within a short period of time (often less than 24 hours) or they will not be analyzed Prior to taking a sample, contact the laboratory and obtain a sterile sampling bottle. Ask the lab for sampling procedures. When in doubt, follow the rules provided by the laboratory. The sampling procedure is slightly different from the routine domestic analysis. Analysts at your certified laboratory must begin the test within 30 hours of sample collection. Samples must be kept refrigerated (not frozen) after collection and during shipping. To prepare for sampling, follow steps for a routine water analysis as described in the previous slide. The sample vial contains a preservative. Do not open the bottle until you are ready to take the sample, and do not rinse the bottle prior to collecting the sample. When you are ready to take your sample, wash your hands with soap and rinse well. Carefully twist off the lid of the vial, fill with water above the indented fill line on the shoulder of the bottle, but not to the very top of the bottle’s lip. If you do not fill the bottle to above the indented fill line, the lab cannot run the analysis. Recap the vial tightly, label it, and keep the sample refrigerated or in a cooler during transportation to the lab. Whenever possible, get samples to the lab immediately. Prior to taking a sample, contact the laboratory and obtain a sterile sampling bottle. Ask the lab for sampling procedures. When in doubt, follow the rules provided by the laboratory. The sampling procedure is slightly different from the routine domestic analysis. Analysts at your certified laboratory must begin the test within 30 hours of sample collection. Samples must be kept refrigerated (not frozen) after collection and during shipping. To prepare for sampling, follow steps for a routine water analysis as described in the previous slide. The sample vial contains a preservative. Do not open the bottle until you are ready to take the sample, and do not rinse the bottle prior to collecting the sample. When you are ready to take your sample, wash your hands with soap and rinse well. Carefully twist off the lid of the vial, fill with water above the indented fill line on the shoulder of the bottle, but not to the very top of the bottle’s lip. If you do not fill the bottle to above the indented fill line, the lab cannot run the analysis. Recap the vial tightly, label it, and keep the sample refrigerated or in a cooler during transportation to the lab. Whenever possible, get samples to the lab immediately.

24. What do the results mean? Compare your lab report to the drinking water standards If any values exceed the standards, DO NOT DRINK THE WATER! Retest if bacteria, nitrate or organic parameters exceed the standards If concentrations are increasing between samples, try to determine and mitigate the source of pollutants There are two categories of drinking water standards: Primary or Maximum Contaminant Level, and Secondary or Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level. Primary standards are the highest allowable concentrations of contaminants based on health considerations. Secondary standards regulate contaminants that cause offensive taste, odor, color, corrosivity, foaming, and staining. Primary and secondary standards do not apply to individual private wells, but serve as a guide to ensure safe drinking water for these systems. “Action” levels for lead and copper are guidelines to trigger preventive measures. Other information is provided by the laboratory to help you determine the water’s suitability for a particular use. Instructor: Use the handout on interpreting a mineral analysis for more information on specific constituents that may be of interest to your participants.There are two categories of drinking water standards: Primary or Maximum Contaminant Level, and Secondary or Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level. Primary standards are the highest allowable concentrations of contaminants based on health considerations. Secondary standards regulate contaminants that cause offensive taste, odor, color, corrosivity, foaming, and staining. Primary and secondary standards do not apply to individual private wells, but serve as a guide to ensure safe drinking water for these systems. “Action” levels for lead and copper are guidelines to trigger preventive measures. Other information is provided by the laboratory to help you determine the water’s suitability for a particular use. Instructor: Use the handout on interpreting a mineral analysis for more information on specific constituents that may be of interest to your participants.

25. Units of measurement ppm = parts per million That’s one drop in one million drops of water Or, it’s one pancake in a stack four miles high! ppb = parts per billion That’s one drop in one billion drops of water Or, it’s one penny in ten million dollars! One of the most confusing parts of your test results may be interpreting the units by which the constituents are reported. Your report may refer to “ppm” or “ppb.” These units are just abbreviations that allow us to put concentrations in perspective. One ppm = one minute in two years, or one drop of vermouth in 80 fifths of gin, or one bad apple in 2000 barrels. One ppb = a much smaller amount - one second of time in 32 years, one square foot in 36 square miles, or a REALLY dry martini - one drop of vermouth in 500 BARRELS of gin!One of the most confusing parts of your test results may be interpreting the units by which the constituents are reported. Your report may refer to “ppm” or “ppb.” These units are just abbreviations that allow us to put concentrations in perspective. One ppm = one minute in two years, or one drop of vermouth in 80 fifths of gin, or one bad apple in 2000 barrels. One ppb = a much smaller amount - one second of time in 32 years, one square foot in 36 square miles, or a REALLY dry martini - one drop of vermouth in 500 BARRELS of gin!

26. Units of measurement One part per million (ppm) is the same as one milligram per liter Milligram per liter is abbreviated as mg/l When scientists measure concentrations, they determine the amount of a contaminant in a liter of water, or milligrams per liter (mg/l). Since we’re talking about water, this is the same as ppm. Many labs now report in metric standards. One part per billion (ppb) = one microgram per liter (ug/l).When scientists measure concentrations, they determine the amount of a contaminant in a liter of water, or milligrams per liter (mg/l). Since we’re talking about water, this is the same as ppm. Many labs now report in metric standards. One part per billion (ppb) = one microgram per liter (ug/l).

27. Groundwater Contamination While ground water is more protected than surface water, there have been many instances in which ground water has become contaminated by man’s activities. Many human activities and pollutants have contaminated our aquifers. Industrial and agricultural fuels, nutrients from animal wastes and septic systems, and fertilizers are examples of pollutants that can reach ground water. Such pollutants are sometimes misused, dumped on the ground, spilled or leaked. In some cases, old-fashioned (and now illegal) dry wells and leachfields are used for industrial waste disposal, resulting in direct injection of pollutants to ground water. Pollutants can percolate downward by themselves or in solution with water, making the ground water unusable by plants, animals and humans. Shallow aquifers are typically recharged not only by precipitation and seepage from lakes and rivers but also from irrigated agricultural fields and ditches. Their shallow nature and easy recharge makes them particularly susceptible to contamination, especially as human activity above them increases. Contamination of deep aquifers is less likely, but can occur when people use abandoned wells improperly as waste disposal sites. Once contaminated, ground water is not easily cleaned to EPA standards. It may take 20 to 100 years and many millions of dollars to clean some pollutants from aquifers. Prevention is far cheaper and easier. Instructor: Participants will need extra time to view this complicated graphic. Graphic by A. Miller, Black Dog Graphics.Groundwater Contamination While ground water is more protected than surface water, there have been many instances in which ground water has become contaminated by man’s activities. Many human activities and pollutants have contaminated our aquifers. Industrial and agricultural fuels, nutrients from animal wastes and septic systems, and fertilizers are examples of pollutants that can reach ground water. Such pollutants are sometimes misused, dumped on the ground, spilled or leaked. In some cases, old-fashioned (and now illegal) dry wells and leachfields are used for industrial waste disposal, resulting in direct injection of pollutants to ground water. Pollutants can percolate downward by themselves or in solution with water, making the ground water unusable by plants, animals and humans. Shallow aquifers are typically recharged not only by precipitation and seepage from lakes and rivers but also from irrigated agricultural fields and ditches. Their shallow nature and easy recharge makes them particularly susceptible to contamination, especially as human activity above them increases. Contamination of deep aquifers is less likely, but can occur when people use abandoned wells improperly as waste disposal sites. Once contaminated, ground water is not easily cleaned to EPA standards. It may take 20 to 100 years and many millions of dollars to clean some pollutants from aquifers. Prevention is far cheaper and easier. Instructor: Participants will need extra time to view this complicated graphic. Graphic by A. Miller, Black Dog Graphics.

28. How can I protect my well water supply? Consider: Location Construction Condition Wellhead protection is a basic strategy to protect ground water. By keeping all hazardous or toxic substances away from the wellhead (the portion of the well above ground), the potential for pollution of ground water can be reduced. The following slides will help you learn to assess the risk to your water supply, and determine what actions you should take to protect your water. Wellhead protection is a basic strategy to protect ground water. By keeping all hazardous or toxic substances away from the wellhead (the portion of the well above ground), the potential for pollution of ground water can be reduced. The following slides will help you learn to assess the risk to your water supply, and determine what actions you should take to protect your water.

29. Well separation distances Using the map of your property and what you’ve already learned, try to determine the following: How deep is your water table? If you dig a hole, does it fill up with water and stay filled (indicating a shallow water table)? The closer the water table to the land surface, the higher the risk of contamination. How close are sources of pollution? Are they uphill of your well? Uphill sources of pollution could contaminate your well. Does water drain toward your wellhead, or does runoff submerge the wellhead? Flowing water may introduce contaminants to the well. Is your well separated from other sources of contamination by at least the minimum separation distance? In general, your well should be AT LEAST 100 feet from any source of pollution. What is your soil type (sandy vs. clayey)? How fast does it drain? Sandy soils that drain rapidly allow pollutants to move farther faster, and represent the greatest risk of contamination. Your well log should contain this information. Are there any abandoned wells in the vicinity? If not properly plugged, they provide conduits for direct introduction of contaminants. Instructor: State and local distances and regulations may vary. Be sure to determine separation distances, etc., for your area. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT.Using the map of your property and what you’ve already learned, try to determine the following: How deep is your water table? If you dig a hole, does it fill up with water and stay filled (indicating a shallow water table)? The closer the water table to the land surface, the higher the risk of contamination. How close are sources of pollution? Are they uphill of your well? Uphill sources of pollution could contaminate your well. Does water drain toward your wellhead, or does runoff submerge the wellhead? Flowing water may introduce contaminants to the well. Is your well separated from other sources of contamination by at least the minimum separation distance? In general, your well should be AT LEAST 100 feet from any source of pollution. What is your soil type (sandy vs. clayey)? How fast does it drain? Sandy soils that drain rapidly allow pollutants to move farther faster, and represent the greatest risk of contamination. Your well log should contain this information. Are there any abandoned wells in the vicinity? If not properly plugged, they provide conduits for direct introduction of contaminants. Instructor: State and local distances and regulations may vary. Be sure to determine separation distances, etc., for your area. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT.

30. This slide shows a common situation that can jeopardize your well. This horse holding area includes the wellhead. The traffic from heavy horses can crack well grouting, and livestock wastes are high in nutrients and pathogens. In this situation, determine whether the wellhead area can be fenced out of the holding area, and have the well inspected to make sure it has not been damaged. Livestock MUST be excluded from the wellhead area.This slide shows a common situation that can jeopardize your well. This horse holding area includes the wellhead. The traffic from heavy horses can crack well grouting, and livestock wastes are high in nutrients and pathogens. In this situation, determine whether the wellhead area can be fenced out of the holding area, and have the well inspected to make sure it has not been damaged. Livestock MUST be excluded from the wellhead area.

31. Well construction makes a big difference in protecting your water. Wells over 50 years old may not be deep enough or properly sealed.  Hire a qualified well driller or repair company to inspect these wells. Well construction makes a big difference in protecting your water. Older wells (more than 50 years old) may not be deep enough or may not be properly sealed. Hire a qualified well driller or repair company to inspect these wells. There are several ways to construct wells. Hand dug, large diameter wells are generally shallow and poorly protected. Today, most wells are drilled and cased to below the water table. In many cases, the use of well water is limited to domestic purposes - water for using inside the house, and water for the landscaping around the house. It is often illegal to use domestic well water to irrigate pastures. In addition, there may be limits on the total amount of water that can be used from a well on a daily basis. For example, in Nevada, well users are limited to 1800 gallons per day. Of course, since few well owners have meters on their wells, it is often difficult to determine if these limits have been exceeded. Instructor: Customize according to state or local regulations. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT. Well construction makes a big difference in protecting your water. Older wells (more than 50 years old) may not be deep enough or may not be properly sealed. Hire a qualified well driller or repair company to inspect these wells. There are several ways to construct wells. Hand dug, large diameter wells are generally shallow and poorly protected. Today, most wells are drilled and cased to below the water table. In many cases, the use of well water is limited to domestic purposes - water for using inside the house, and water for the landscaping around the house. It is often illegal to use domestic well water to irrigate pastures. In addition, there may be limits on the total amount of water that can be used from a well on a daily basis. For example, in Nevada, well users are limited to 1800 gallons per day. Of course, since few well owners have meters on their wells, it is often difficult to determine if these limits have been exceeded. Instructor: Customize according to state or local regulations. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT.

32. Well protection The following factors will help you determine if the well is properly protected: Has the well been properly sealed, and is the seal intact? If the well is not properly sealed after construction, pollutants can run directly down the side of the casing into the ground water. Do a visual inspection, make sure the well cap fits tightly and the pipe is secure when pushed, and look for cracks or damage to the seal. The well should be cased below the water table level according to local regulations. It’s generally best if the casing extends at least 30 feet below the water level. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT.The following factors will help you determine if the well is properly protected: Has the well been properly sealed, and is the seal intact? If the well is not properly sealed after construction, pollutants can run directly down the side of the casing into the ground water. Do a visual inspection, make sure the well cap fits tightly and the pipe is secure when pushed, and look for cracks or damage to the seal. The well should be cased below the water table level according to local regulations. It’s generally best if the casing extends at least 30 feet below the water level. Graphic adapted with permission from Home*a*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87 by the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, MT.

33. The top of the well casing pipe should extend at least 12 inches above ground level, and the soil should slope away from the pipe. If the area of the wellhead floods regularly, make sure the wellhead extends above the flood level. There should be antibackflow devices in place to prevent the flow of contaminated fluids into the ground water. Whenever you have your well inspected or repaired, be sure to keep records about the condition of the well and the work that has been done. You must also treat the water for bacterial contamination by chlorinating any time the well is worked on. Graphic redrawn from Clark Conservation District, Brush Prairie, WA by A. Miller, Black Dog Graphics. The top of the well casing pipe should extend at least 12 inches above ground level, and the soil should slope away from the pipe. If the area of the wellhead floods regularly, make sure the wellhead extends above the flood level. There should be antibackflow devices in place to prevent the flow of contaminated fluids into the ground water. Whenever you have your well inspected or repaired, be sure to keep records about the condition of the well and the work that has been done. You must also treat the water for bacterial contamination by chlorinating any time the well is worked on. Graphic redrawn from Clark Conservation District, Brush Prairie, WA by A. Miller, Black Dog Graphics.