1. Drinking Water Clinic Interpretation Meeting EXTENSION AGENT, COUNTY ERIN LING AND BRIAN BENHAM VIRGINIA TECH BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

2. PRIVATE WATER SUPPLIES IN VIRGINIA
1.6 million Virginians rely on wells, springs or cisterns (21% of the population)
In the U.S. municipal water supplies are regulated by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act; private supplies are not!
Homeowners relying on private water supplies:
Are responsible for all aspects of water system management
May lack knowledge and resources to effectively manage
Usually don’t worry about maintenance until problems arise
Groundwater is a shared resource – our actions can affect others’ water supplies too!

3. HOW DOES WATER MOVE TO MY WELL? (BEDROCK/DRILLED WELL)
Well casing extends through loose “overburden” and into the bedrock, where an “open” borehole continues underground
Groundwater moves through fractures, or cracks in the bedrock
Water can come from many different directions, depths, and sources into one well
It can take water hours, days, or years to move through to bedrock
Water can come from any fractures that intersect the open borehole

4. HOW DOES WATER MOVE TO MY WELL? (SCREENED WELL)
In drilled or bored wells in sandy aquifers, groundwater fills up the pore spaces between grains of sediment or sand
In shallow wells, water moves relatively quickly from the surface down into the water table; with deeper wells, it takes more time.
There are a large range of depths of wells reaching aquifers at varying levels

5. Proper well location and construction
At least ’ and upslope from contamination sources
Not in an area that receives runoff
Ground slopes away from well
Well casing at least 12” above ground
Grout seal around casing (have checked by a well driller)
Sanitary well cap (drilled well) or sealed concrete cover (bored well)
12”
Drilled well
12”
Photo credits: SAIF Water Wells ; Penn State University
Bored/dug well

6. THE FINISHED PRODUCT Sealed, sanitary well cap
Grout seal
Sealed, sanitary well cap
Casing extending >12” above ground surface
Ground sloping away from casing
Point out the well components you mentioned – casing, grout, sanitary well cap, ground sloping away from well.

7. WELL MAINTENANCE TIPS
Do not use fertilizers, pesticides, oil, or paint near well
Keep area around well clean and accessible
Keep careful records
original contract, water test results and any maintenance or repair information
Every year:
Conduct thorough visual inspection of well
Check cap for cracks, wear and tear, tightness
Test for coliform bacteria (at least)!
Every 1-3 years have well inspected by a licensed well driller – see WellCheck page and providers!

8. PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY REGULATIONS
Virginia Private Well Regulations
Specify application, inspection and construction requirements
No requirements for maintenance or water testing after construction of well – responsibility of the owner!
EPA National Drinking Water Standards
Apply to PUBLIC systems
Primary (health) and Secondary (nuisance)
Can be used as guidance for private systems to know “how much is too much”

9. EPA SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT
Primary Standards
Also called Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
Cause health problems
Enforced for municipal systems
Includes specific chemicals and pesticides
Over 80 contaminants, including
Lead
Coliform and E. coli bacteria
Copper
Arsenic
Nitrate
Secondary Standards
Also called SMCL (Secondary) or RMCL (Recommended)
Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
Taste
Odor
Many naturally occur in ground water
About 15 contaminants, including:
Iron
Sulfate
Manganese
Hardness

10. TESTING WATER QUALITY Why test? When to test?
Protect family’s health and safety
Many contaminants undetectable by human senses
Preventive measures often more effective and less expensive
Possible legal protection in case of changes to water due to nearby impacts
When to test?
Routine tests every 1-3 years
Pregnant woman or infant in the home
Recurring gastrointestinal illness (guests too!)
Change in taste, appearance, or odor of water
Any time services or repairs are done (well cap opened/pump pulled up)

11. WHAT SHOULD I TEST FOR?
Every year test for coliform bacteria and E. coli
Simple, relatively inexpensive test
Indicates possible contamination from human or animal waste
About every three years test for other contaminants based on nearby land uses and condition of water pH
Total dissolved solids

12. UNDERSTANDING TEST RESULTS
Most results provided as concentrations:
mg/L (milligrams per liter) ≈ ppm (parts per million)
µg/L = (micrograms per liter) ≈ ppb (parts per billion)
Other units unique to test
Hardness (e.g. grains per gallon), pH scale
Compare to EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards:
How much?
4 drops of ink in a
55 gallon barrel of
water results in an
“ink concentration”
of 1 mg/L or ppm!

13. SOURCES OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANTS OR ISSUES OF CONCERN
well
Surface water contamination: nitrate, bacteria
Source may be plumbing materials or existing water treatment device:
sodium
copper
lead
bacteria
Where a contaminant comes from affects how we can deal with it!
Some are found in groundwater naturally, either due to human activities on or below ground:
TDS
arsenic
sodium
iron
chloride
pH/corrosivity
hardness
fluoride
sulfate
nitrate
manganese

14. OPTIONS FOR PROBLEM WATER
1. If possible, control the source of pollution
Divert runoff, maintain septic system
2. Improve maintenance of water system
Install sanitary well cap, slope the ground
3. Treat the water to reduce contaminant concentration
Match the treatment option to the pollutant
Consult a professional
4. Develop a new source of water
Deeper well, develop spring, connect to public water

15. TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS
No treatment device can remove all contaminants
Each device has tradeoffs; be sure to explore ALL of your options
Always have water tested by a third-party certified lab
Certifications to look for:
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) – certifies DEVICES
Water Quality Association (WQA) – trains WATER TREATMENT SPECIALISTS and certifies DEVICES
Point of Use (POU) vs. Point of Entry (POE)
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is (e.g., magnets, electronic charge, magic)
Consider: upfront cost, maintenance requirements and warranty

16. SAMPLE TEST REPORT ** = exceeds recommended level
ND = not detected by instrument; may be expressed as <0.001

17. COLIFORM BACTERIA Coliform bacteria is an indicator organism
Generally harmless in itself
Present in soil, from animals/humans, common in environment
Means disease-causing bacteria may also be present
Water recently on the surface may be reaching well water
Public standard is 0, or absent (in municipal supplies)
If present, lab will analyze for E. coli bacteria

18. IF COLIFORM BACTERIA ARE PRESENT
Don’t panic!
Check well for pathways surface water can enter well
Casing intact and extends above ground at least 12”?
Sealed, sanitary well cap is installed and secure?
Ground slopes away from well?
Has driller checked for grout seal?
Shock chlorination; retest after 2-4 weeks
Long term treatment options: UV light, ozonation, continuous chlorination

19. IF E. COLI BACTERIA ARE PRESENT
More serious result: human or animal waste is entering water supply
Take immediate steps to address
Boil water or use another source of water for drinking or cooking
Check well for pathways surface water can enter well
Shock chlorinate and retest after 2-4 weeks
Long-term treatment options: UV light, ozonation, continuous disinfection
None were, but just in case!

20. How much?
Colilert ™ is added to the water, which is poured into a tray and sealed. Yellow = coliform present and fluorescing under ultraviolet light = E. coli present.
BACTERIA MPN
If bacteria are present, you will see a number under the word PRESENT.
MPN = Most Probable Number (statistical estimate of the number of bacteria per 100 mL water)
Number (of coliform and E. Coli) ranges from 1 to >2419.
ABSENT: MPN will be ND (not detected)
TNTC = Too Numerous To Count = >2419 MPN
Still want to see both types of bacteria ABSENT
Gives people an idea of the extent of the problem for both total coliform and E. coli.

21. pH Measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance (0 – 14) scale2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 11 14 13
Increasing acidity
Increasing alkalinity
Neutral
Lemon juice
Vinegar
Recommended
pH range for
drinking water
6.5 – 8.5
Milk
Battery acid
Ammonia
Milk of magnesia
Baking soda
Sea water
Lye
Distilled water
Coffee
Bleach
Gastric acid
Measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance (0 – 14) scale
Logarithmic scale: pH = 5 is 100 times more acidic than pH = 7
Good indicator of general water quality; largely driven by geology

22. CORROSIVE WATER Water is “aggressive”; corrodes metal plumbing
Dissolves metals present into drinking water
Causes pitting and pinhole leaks
Reduces length of appliance life (e.g. water heaters)
Commonly caused by low pH; other contributing factors include alkalinity, temperature, TDS levels
EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive; metals like lead and copper can be a health concern
Long-term treatment: acid neutralizing filter or soda ash injection (depending on pH)

23. METALS OF CONCERN: LEAD
Linked to many serious health effects, especially in children and infants
Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal problems
Cumulative poison; small amounts accumulate in body over time
Lead MCL Goal is 0 mg/L with a health action level of mg/L
Sources include:
Lead solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fittings and fixtures (<8% lead until January 2014, when the allowed level was lowered to 0.25%)
Some galvanized steel components in wells

24. ADDRESSING LEAD IN WATER
There is no safe level of lead.
Even if below ppm, take action, especially if children/pregnant women are drinking the water
Discuss test results with your physician
Compare first draw and flushed
Metals may be highest with corrosive water and contact time with pipes.
Flushing pipes may address problem, if flushed lead level is considerably lower.

25. ADDRESSING LEAD IN WATER
There is no safe level of lead.
Even if below ppm, take action, especially if children/pregnant women are drinking the water
Treatment options:
Activated carbon filter (e.g. Brita or Pur)
MAKE SURE IT IS LABELED TO REMOVE LEAD AND CHANGE AS DIRECTED
Acid neutralizing filter can address corrosivity of water if pH < 6.5; however, corrosivity can be caused by other factors as well
IF LEAD IS ELEVATED IN FLUSHED SAMPLE, ACTIVATED CARBON MAY STILL BE NECESSARY
Reverse osmosis device will also remove dissolved metals
Or, use another source of water known to be safe

26. METALS OF CONCERN: COPPER
High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps Infants and children particularly sensitive EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L Nuisance effects, such as blue-green staining, noticeable at 1.0 mg/L

27. IRON AND MANGANESE Nuisance - not health concern for most
SMCL: Iron = 0.3 mg/L; Mn = 0.05 mg/L
Red/brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
Tend to occur together in geology
Concentrations should be ADDED to determine treatment
Treatment depends on type/form of each
Ferrous/Manganous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black solid particles
Ferric/Manganic: solid particles visible immediately, or water has a tint
Iron bacteria: not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn, red-brown or black-brown slime
Treatment: water softener, aeration/filtration, ozonation, distillation

28. Slightly-Moderately Hard
HARDNESS/SCALING
Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ions, dissolved from limestone and other minerals
Not a health risk – nuisance
Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents
Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters
No EPA standard for public systems
Treat using water softener
Hardness Rating
Grains per Gallon
mg/L
Soft
Less than 1.0
Less than 17.1
Slightly-Moderately Hard
Hard
Very Hard
Over 10.5
Over 180

29. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)
Water is a solvent: dissolves many compounds as it travels over and under ground
TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities
Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
Man-made sources: septic systems, runoff from agricultural or urban land, road salt, industrial sources
General indicator of water quality; test at least every three years
EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
Treat using distillation or reverse osmosis

30. SODIUM
Varying levels occur naturally; high levels may be from man-made source
Road salt storage or application, industrial waste, sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
Natural sources (some bedrock and sediments)
WATER SOFTENER – works by ion exchange: extracts calcium, magnesium, iron, adds sodium
EPA recommendation for those on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L
Consider other sources of salt in diet and discuss with doctor
Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria or other contaminants
Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and water heaters
Treat using distillation, reverse osmosis
/ /

31. NITRATE (NO3-N) Serious health concern for infants
Serious health concern for infants
Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”
Nitrate  nitrite during digestion and blood cannot carry oxygen
MCL is 10 mg/L NO3-N or 45 mg/L of NO3
If 3-5 mg/L, do not use water for infants under 6 months
Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage; NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil
Test in spring months; levels change over time
BOILING INCREASES concentration of nitrates!
Treatment: distillation, reverse osmosis, anion exchange

32. Hydrogen Sulfide Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com
Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
Not regulated by EPA – people can detect low levels
Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil fields
Sulfur-reducing bacteria produce (not a health risk)
Treatment depends on concentration, so must test
Only noticeable in hot water?
Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod

33. ARSENIC
Occurs naturally in some rocks; more common in groundwater supplies when water levels rise and fall frequently
Used in wood preservatives, paints, pesticides, etc.
Linked to many types of cancer, stomach pain, paralysis, and blindness
EPA primary standard is mg/L
Treatment: reverse osmosis, distillation

34. FLUORIDE Occurs naturally; some high levels in E. Virginia groundwater
Added to many public water systems for strong teeth and bones (levels mg/L); limit intake for kids under 8
Health concerns:
Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis
EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
Treatment (reverse osmosis) removes ALL fluoride

35. Virginia Household Water Quality Program State program personnel:
Erin Ling
Brian Benham
ph:
Local Extension Agent:

36. RESOURCES
Virginia Household Water Quality Program
Virginia Certified Lab Listing:
EPA Private Wells Site
National Groundwater Association Well Owner
Water Systems Council Wellcare Hotline
NSF International:
Water Quality Association:
Consumer Reports or Better Business Bureau OR

37. END OF SLIDE SHOW. ADDITIONAL SLIDES FOLLOW IF YOU WISH TO ADD THEM.