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

Overview Identifying Problems / Sampling Water Quality Considerations Available Resources

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

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

Well Construction and Test Report

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.

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

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!!!

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

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

Potential Sources of Contamination

Abandoned wells should be properly plugged and sealed

Inspecting Well Casing/Cap/Seal

Older PVC Cap PVC cap and casing requires extra attention

Water Quality Considerations – Cisterns & Storage Tanks

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

Well Pits – pit cover

Well Pits – pit hole

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

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

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

Resources http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/WQ/

Water Quality Publications http://www. colostate

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: neibauer@colostate.edu (970) 491-5124