|
If you get water from
your own well or spring, you're responsible for ensuring its quality.
Unlike public water supplies, government agencies are not required to
monitor private water systems for contamination. Periodic water testing
is an important step towards providing a supply that's both safe and appealing
to use.
Although many substances
can degrade drinking water quality, testing for the presence of every
possible contaminant would be very expensive. It is best to run tests
that are broad in scope for those contaminants that are likely to be present.
Such testing can provide a great deal of information.
Testing for the five
water concerns listed below will give you a good indication of your drinking
water quality. Remember that this list applies to agricultural areas in
general. It may be necessary for you to have additional tests run for
other contaminants that you suspect may be present in your particular
area.
TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA
Contamination sources: Sewage;
manure.
Reason for test: Although most coliform bacteria don't cause illness,
they're easy to test for and may be used to indicate the possibility of
pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms in a water supply.
Acceptable level: No coliform bacteria present. A test report for
an uncontaminated sample may read coliform negative, less than one (<
1) per 100 ml, or less than 2.2 (< 2.2) depending on the measurement
technique the laboratory uses.
Frequency of testing*: Annually
Cost**: $12 to $15
* For each contaminant, individual circumstances may require more frequent
testing.
** All test costs are approximations and will vary by laboratory.
NITRATE
Contamination sources: Sewage;
manure; nitrogen fertilizer; landfill leachate.
Reason for test: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water
may cause a potentially fatal disease -- methemoglobinemia (blue-baby
syndrome) -- in infants less than six months old.
Acceptable level: Not more than 10 mg/l (milligrams per liter)
nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). Some labs may report the test results
as nitrate (NO3), in which case the acceptable level is 45
mg/l or less.
Frequency of testing: Annually
Cost: $10 to $15
PESTICIDES
Contamination sources: Improper
storage, application or disposal of pesticides.
Reason for test: A pesticide scan will tell you if any of a number
of pesticides are in your water. Birth defects, an increased risk of cancer,
and damage to body organs are possible chronic health effects associated
with exposure to pesticides above recommended levels.
Acceptable level: Drinking water standards have been set for only
a few pesticides. Guidelines, which may change as more is learned about
the potential health hazards of particular pesticides, are available for
others. To find out the recommended safe level for a specific pesticide,
contact the Cooperative Extension Office or the local Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) office.
Frequency of testing: As needed but at least every three years.
Check with your neighbors to see which pesticides they are using. Test
your water for traces of those pesticides.
Cost: $100-$2,500 depending on the extent of the test(s) performed
pH
Contamination sources: Mining
and gas drilling; unacceptable levels may also occur naturally.
Reason for test: The pH test measures how acidic or basic water
is. The scale for pH ranges from 0 to 14; a pH of less than 7 is acidic,
pH 7 is neutral, and a pH of greater than 7 is basic. Water that is too
acidic or too basic may corrode household plumbing. In addition to damaging
pipes, metals (such as copper, lead, cadmium) that dissolve from the plumbing
system may contaminate your water and pose health problems.
Acceptable level: pH 6.5 - pH 8.5
Frequency of testing: At least every three years
Cost: $4 to $5
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS
Contamination sources: Landfill
leachate; mining and gas drilling; high levels may also occur naturally.
Reason for test: This test tells you the concentration of dissolved
materials in your water. Water with a TDS concentration above the recommended
limit may have an objectionable taste and deposit scale in pipes. People
unaccustomed to water with a high TDS concentration may temporarily suffer
gastrointestinal upsets (such as diarrhea) when they drink the water.
Also, if total dissolved solids are at high levels, it would be wise to
have further tests to determine specific contaminants.
Acceptable levels: 500 mg/l
Frequency of testing: At least every three years
Cost: $7.50 to $10
Many commercial water
testing laboratories can run all five of these tests. In addition, DEP
will test water for bacteria. (There is a fee. Contact the local office
for details.) For the names of DEP certified, commercial water testing
labs in your area, consult the web by clicking on http://www.dep.state.pa.us/labs
or call the local DEP or Penn
State Cooperative Extension office. The Extension Service and DEP can
also help you interpret the results of your water tests, determine if
additional tests are required, and assist you in eliminating any water
quality problems that are discovered.
Produced
by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. with financial
support provided by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection Chesapeake Bay Program and
the Environmental Protection Agency Section 319 Program.
|
