1. Water Quality Issues with Wells
Matt Neibauer, Troy Bauder, and Reagan Waskom
Colorado State University

2. Overview Identifying Problems / Sampling Water Quality Considerations
Available Resources

3. Diagnosing Water Quality Problems
Symptoms:
Taste
Odor
Appearance
Feel
Many problems have none of these symptoms!

4. Diagnosing Water Quality Problems
How old is the well?
How deep is the well?
Have neighbors had problems?
Do you have a recent water test?
Is the well located near:
Underground storage tanks
Feedlots
Dumps
Leach fields – septic system
Abandoned wells
Mines

5. Well Construction and Test Report

6. Sampling and Lab Testing
Starts with a GOOD water sample
ALL new, prospective, and current well owners should sample well water to get baseline quality!! – And keep records!!!
Complete or routine – pH, TDS, hardness, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, sodium, calcium, magnesium, metals, etc.
Bacteria – fecal coliform, total coliform, and/or E. coli.

7. Good Sample? Fresh, chilled Clean lab bottle preferred Inside:
Bypass water treatment
Faucet – remove aerator
Flush one minute
Outside:
Nearest hydrant
10 min. flush

8. Sample Interval Annual Five to ten Sample interval depends upon:
Bacteria + nitrate
Five to ten
Complete – pH, TDS, hardness, sulfate, sodium, chloride, metals
Sample interval depends upon:
Well construction
Well depth
Previous problems
Location – proximity to contaminants
Keep records!!!

9. Water Quality Considerations – Irrigation for Landscape/Garden/Crops
Salinity – measured by electrical conductivity (E.C.) or T.D.S.
Reduces water availability to plants
Sodium (Na) adsorption ratio – SAR
Ratio of Na to Ca
Causes soil structural problems
Specific plant toxicity

10. Special Water Quality Considerations
Iron Bacteria:
Generally harmless
Can cause foul taste/odor
Can cause pumping problems and well plugging
Sanitation following drilling
Chlorination

11. Potential Sources of Contamination

12. Abandoned wells should be properly plugged and sealed

13. Inspecting Well Casing/Cap/Seal

14. Older PVC Cap
PVC cap and casing
requires extra attention

15. Water Quality Considerations – Cisterns & Storage Tanks

16. Corral / Livestock >50’ Separation
Livestock and wells DON’T mix.

17. Well Pits – pit cover

18. Well Pits – pit hole

19. Wells Pits – well cap DO NOT store ANYTHING in pit that could
contaminate the well.

20. Potential Problems for Wells
Location
Above ground vs. in pit
Aspect of land – slope & drainage
Potential sources of contamination
Access
Materials
Age and condition
PVC vs Steel
Cap and seal
Condition
Cracks
Settling
Last service date

21. Treatment Categories Point of Entry Point of Use Both Physical
Media filters
Sand filters
Reverse Osmosis
Activated carbon
Chemical
Chlorination
Point of Entry
Point of Use
Both

22. Resources

25. Water Quality Publications http://www. colostate

26. Summary
Diagnosing water quality problems requires observation, proper well sampling, and reputable testing labs.
Identifying and understanding the potential problems associated with new and existing wells is the key to a healthy water supply.
The responsibility of a clean well water supply lies with the home/land owner.
Matt Neibauer:
(970)