Private Water Supplies everything is voluntary!

Sanitary well cap Grout seal Good casing Sloping Ground Soil Bedrock Groundwater “aquifer” Water Table

X Protect the Wellhead Area!

Some Problems Occur Naturally Iron Manganese Hydrogen Sulfide Corrosive Hardness

We Cause Many Problems

How do I know what to test my water for? 1.Symptoms – tastes, odors, stains 2.Local land use and activities 3.Local water testing results

Symptoms White residue, dull laundry - hardness Reddish stains, metallic taste – iron Black stains, metallic taste - manganese Rotten egg odor - hydrogen sulfide gas Blue stains, metallic taste - corrosive water

Be Aware of Local Activities

ActivityPollutants Septic systemsbacteria, nitrate Highwaysodium, chloride Gas or Oil Wellspetroleum, salts, metals Agriculturepesticides, nitrate, bacteria Gas or fuel storagegasoline, petroleum products Industry, landfillorganics, petroleum products Miningiron, manganese, low pH

How close must activities be to my well to cause a problem?

Coliform Bacteria A large group of common surface bacteria Indicate the “potential” for harmful bacteria Possible sources –Surface water –Animal waste –Septic system Occur frequently especially in springs and shallow wells

The Most Common Problems % of water supplies with problem

Common Aesthetic Problems % of water supplies with problem

Water Testing Routine tests give you protection Use certified labs! Annual bacteria test Every 3 years – pH, TDS, local pollutant

Interpreting a Water Test Compare your result with the Drinking Water Standard which gives the “acceptable” level Primary Standard (MCL) –health risk Secondary Standard (RMCL) –taste, stain, odor

Drought Stages Drought Watch –5% voluntary water use reduction Drought Warning –10-15% voluntary water use reduction Drought Emergency –Mandatory water restrictions –Ban on non-essential water use –These DO apply to private wells & springs

How is the Drought Stage Determined? 1.Precipitation 2.Stream flow 3.Groundwater levels 4.Palmer Drought Index 5.Reservoir storage

Historical Droughts in Pennsylvania Palmer Drought Index

Drought Outlook Short-term relief likely Ground water and surface water drought will continue 12 to 20 inches of precipitation needed over next three months

Natural Groundwater Fluctuations Ground Surface Deeper Underground

Submersible pump No pumping “static water level”

Normal “drawdown”

Sporadic Water Loss

Permanent Water Loss

More and More Users! Wells drilled million wells and counting

Pennsylvania Water Law You do NOT own the water under your property You are entitled to “reasonable use” Little protection of existing sources Permitting of large users in Delaware and Susquehanna Basins Several pending bills on water use

Preventing a Dry Well Obtain your well log –Your well driller –Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey Identify alternate sources Always conserve water! Talk to neighbors, local well drillers Monitor your water supply if possible Monitor nearby wells on the web

observed average record low

If You Lose Your Water... Water may return in time –Emergency water conservation –Reduce peak demands Have well driller determine the cause –Faulty or worn-out pump –Electrical problem –Low water level Lower the pump in the existing well Deepen existing well Drill new well –Beware of unlicensed drillers

Always Conserve Water!

Achieving Water Conservation Change in water use habits Install water saving devices

Water Use Study of Eight Families in Central PA Average use –100 to 322 gallons per day Peak use –240 to 880 gallons per day

Septic System Consumptive Water Use Non-Consumptive Water Use

Average Water Use Toilet Shower Clothes Outside Other Bath Washer Gallons per person per day

Toilet Water Use

Clothes Washer Standard –40 to 55 gallons per load Front-loading –22 to 33 gallons per load

Showers Standard –4 to 6 gallons per minute Low flow –2 gallons per minute

Faucets Standard –4 to 6 gallons per minute Flow control aerators –Kitchen – 1.5 gallons per minute –Bathroom – 0.5 gallons per minute

Effect of Water Conservation Total savings = 32%

Water Harvesting

Types of Water Treatment Point of entry Point of use

Examples of Point of Entry Water softener Ultraviolet light (disinfection) Carbon filter (volatiles)

Examples of Point of Use Reverse osmosis Distiller Carbon filter –faucet or counter-top

Water Treatment Disinfection Ion exchange Oxidation-reduction Filtration

Disinfection

continuous chlorination

Ultraviolet Light Sterilizer U-V Tube

Ion Exchange

Water Softening cation exchange process remove calcium, magnesium add sodium (potassium) will remove some iron

Schematic of Softener Water Softener RESIN (Sodium) Raw Water (Sodium) Calcium & Magnesium Treated Water Ion Exchange: Sodium for Calcium & Magnesium

Oxidation

Iron Removal

Iron Treatment Options Iron ConcentrationChemical Form of Iron Treatment Method Less than 3 mg/LColorless – reduced Water softener or polyphosphates 3 to 10 mg/L Colorless (reduced) or red (oxidized) Oxidizing Filter More than 10 mg/L Colorless (reduced) or red (oxidized) Oxidation followed by filtration

Carbon Filtration

Filter Maintenance replace GAC every six months dispose of spent GAC properly

Solving Water Problems new source pollution control maintenance + inspection treatment

Before You Buy Treatment Equipment have your water tested by a certified labhave your water tested by a certified lab –don’t rely on in-home water test results consult unbiased water quality expertsconsult unbiased water quality experts explore all alternativesexplore all alternatives –new source, pollution control, maintenance maintenance