1. Michael Papay, REHS Lee County Environmental Health Private Wells Septic Systems (919) 718-4641

2. Private Water Supply Wells

3. Types of Wells (in Lee County) Dug Bored Drilled

4. Dug Well Literally “hand dug” Mineralogy from the soil Considered unsafe for drinking water – Not protected from surface water intrusion – No casing – Rock-lined or un-lined walls – Water source very shallow (near ground surface) – Potential to transmit contaminants deeper

5. Bored Well 20- to 24-inches wide Shallow, max 90 ft. (generally 35-ish) Concrete casing / Tile casing (grout?) Mineralogy from soil (& weathered rock) Often coliform + (= unsafe) – Water source near ground surface – Root intrusion between casing sections – Potential to transmit contaminants deeper

6. Drilled Well Penetrates consolidated rock Deep (100 – 400 feet, or more) 6-inch casing (steel or PVC) Mineralogy from the rock that holds the water

7. Lee County Private Water Supply Well Program Permitting & Inspection – New – Repair Sampling – New Wells – Existing Wells

8. Sampling New Well Standard Kit – Microbiological – Inorganic – Nitrates/Nitrites Individual Sample Types – Microbiological – Inorganic – Nitrates/Nitrites – Pesticides – Petroleum VOCs Extractables

9. Microbiological Coliform – Indicate the well is contaminated – If these are present then nastier microbes might be present Fecal Coliform – From animal waste/poo

10. Inorganic Analysis Arsenic Barium Cadmium Calcium Chloride Chromium Copper Fluoride Iron Lead Magnesium Manganese Mercury Nitrate/Nitrite pH Selenium Silver Sodium Sulfate Total Alkalinity Total Hardness Zinc

11. Laws and Rules for Private Water Supply Wells 40 CFR 141.2 (Definitions) G.S. 87 Article 7 (N.C. Well Construction Act) G.S. 130A Article 10 (N.C. Drinking Water Act) 15A NCAC 02C.0100 (Well Constr. Standards) 15A NCAC 02C.0300 (Permitting & Inspection) 15A NCAC 18C.0100 (Protection of Public Water Supplies)