Private Water Well Guidelines & Safety

PRIVATE WATER WELL GUIDELINES & SAFETY 15% of Americans rely on their own private drinking water supplies Getting drinking water from a private source, such as a water well, can pose health risks if certain precautions are not taken. Private wells are not regulated by the EPA and most states have limited rules on water well maintenance. It is the responsibility of the well owner to maintain the safety of their private water supply and well equipment. STEPS TO WATER DRILLINGK ON YOUR LAND 1. GET INFORMATION ON LOCAL SOIL & GROUNDWATER QUALITY The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) dli This organization is a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They can inform you of any pollution threats and if radon is a problem in the area. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ 2. FIND A CERTIFIED WATER WELL CONTRACTOR The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) CERTIFIED Call them at: (614) 898-7791 or (800) 551-7379 to find NG WA-certified water well contractors. Check with your local government to see if you will require a permit and any other regulations. http://www.ngwa.org/ MAINTAIN YOUR WELL Maintenance is Key. You should have annual maintenance checks including a bacterial test. Over time, small problems can become costly. Keep up-to-date records of well installation, repairs, pumping and water tests. З ТУРES TYPES = OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS DUG DRIVEN DRILLED 10-30ft 30-50ft 100-400ft Deep hole in ground Deep into Deep into soil bedrock HIGHEST MODERATE LOWER RISK RISK RISK of of of contamination contamination contamination COST COST COST $$$$ $$$$ $$$$$ WATER WELL= MAINTENENCE FOR SAFETY PREVENTING CONTAMINATION SEPTIC LEACH FIELDS SILOS LIVESTOCK MANURE STACKS SEPTIC TANKS 250FT 50FT WELL 100FT PETROLEUM TANKS MANURE STORAGE FERTILIZER STORAGE WATER TESTING Cu Fe Water Quality Reports & Water Testing Pb Check your Annual Water Quality Report from your water supplier. Find more info here: http://water.epa.gov/drink/local/index.cfm The EPA recommends that you test your water by a state certified laboratory. You can find a certified laboratory here: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/labcert/statecertification.cfm DETECTING CONTAMINATION VISIBLE TASTE SCENT Scum caused by calcium or magnesium Salty or brackish taste could mean high sodium Rotten egg odor could be caused by hydrogen sulfide gas or bacteria salts in water content Metallic tasting water could mean high iron con- tent or acidity Detergent odor or foamy water may be from septic tank seepage Turbid or unclear water due to dirt, clay salts, silt or rust Chemical taste may be Green stains on sinks or faucets left by high acidity Gasoline smell could from industrial chemicals mean gasoline seepage or pesticides into the water tank water Soapy taste might mean Musty/earthy smell might be from decaying or- Brown/red stains on sinks, dishwashers, or clothes from dissolved iron in water dissolved alkaline minerals in the water ganic matter in the water WELL LIFE Scan your property for old, abandoned wells and call a certified contractor if you find one. The contractor will properly seal it to prevent contamination into the aquifer. A well can last 20+ years. Once your well gets to this age, make sure to have a certified contractor properly seal it. WELL RESOURCES < National Drinking Water Clearinghouse U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Ground Water Protection Council http://gwpc.site.net www.estd. wvu.edu/ndwc Conservation Service www.nrcs.usda.gov Rural Community Assistance Program American Water Works Water Systems Council www.watersystemscouncil.org Association www.awwa.org www.rcap.org National Rural Water U.S. Geological Survey National Ground Water Association water.usgs.gov Association www.nrwa.org http://www.wellowner.org WL T TASTY PLACEMENT Whisenant & Lyle Water Services 3.