 |  |  |  |  |  |
TESTING WELL WATER FOR CONTAMINANTS
New wells can operate for many years without showing signs of bacterial
contamination, but there are no guarantees. Private wells should be tested at
least once a year for bacterial safety. It is also wise to test well water any time
the water changes in taste, odor, or appearance. Contact your local health
department for instructions on collecting samples for bacterial testing.
After testing, if your well water is reported to be unsafe, the water must not be
used for drinking or food preparation unless it is boiled at least 1 minute at a
full-rolling boil. To disinfect the well you can perform a simple chlorination
procedure yourself, or you can contact a licensed well driller or pump installer
to disinfect your well for you.
In addition to testing for bacterial contamination, well water should be checked
every two or three years for indications of nitrate contamination, more
frequently if nitrate has been found before. Other contaminants that you
should test for include arsenic, lead, and volatile organic and agricultural
chemicals. While these contaminants pose a threat to health, all are easily
discoverable and most are treatable. The one people most frequently request
information about its causes and effects is arsenic.
Arsenic is a part of the earth's crust and occurs naturally in some soil and rock.
Arsenic from soil and rock can leach into groundwater. Groundwater is the
primary source of drinking water and almost all arsenic in drinking water is
from these underground deposits. While human activities such as mining and
manufacturing can contribute to arsenic levels in drinking water, these sources
are not considered to be a major concern. Even though arsenic is not in
common use today, it was once an ingredient in pesticides, and residues remain
from past use and improper disposal of pesticides. Arsenic is, however, still in
use as a treatment for wooden foundations, decks and children's playscapes.
In rural farm areas, it is especially important to test regularly for the presence
of arsenic in well water because of pollution resulting from the management of
cotton defoliants.
In nature, pure arsenic is rare. It is usually combined with other elements to
form "compounds." Arsenic combined with compounds containing carbon is
called "organic arsenic," and arsenic combined with other elements such as
oxygen, chlorine, or sulfur, is called "inorganic arsenic." Arsenic from plants
and animals is usually organic; and arsenic in soil, rock, and water is most
often inorganic.
Despite its reputation as a deadly poison, arsenic is like any toxic substance: its
effects depend on how much and how long people are exposed to it. Testing
on a regular basis is essential to detect the presence of arsenic before it has
time to effect the health of your family. If it is determined that arsenic is a
problem, there are treatment strategies to effectively manage it.
contamination, but there are no guarantees. Private wells should be tested at
least once a year for bacterial safety. It is also wise to test well water any time
the water changes in taste, odor, or appearance. Contact your local health
department for instructions on collecting samples for bacterial testing.
After testing, if your well water is reported to be unsafe, the water must not be
used for drinking or food preparation unless it is boiled at least 1 minute at a
full-rolling boil. To disinfect the well you can perform a simple chlorination
procedure yourself, or you can contact a licensed well driller or pump installer
to disinfect your well for you.
In addition to testing for bacterial contamination, well water should be checked
every two or three years for indications of nitrate contamination, more
frequently if nitrate has been found before. Other contaminants that you
should test for include arsenic, lead, and volatile organic and agricultural
chemicals. While these contaminants pose a threat to health, all are easily
discoverable and most are treatable. The one people most frequently request
information about its causes and effects is arsenic.
Arsenic is a part of the earth's crust and occurs naturally in some soil and rock.
Arsenic from soil and rock can leach into groundwater. Groundwater is the
primary source of drinking water and almost all arsenic in drinking water is
from these underground deposits. While human activities such as mining and
manufacturing can contribute to arsenic levels in drinking water, these sources
are not considered to be a major concern. Even though arsenic is not in
common use today, it was once an ingredient in pesticides, and residues remain
from past use and improper disposal of pesticides. Arsenic is, however, still in
use as a treatment for wooden foundations, decks and children's playscapes.
In rural farm areas, it is especially important to test regularly for the presence
of arsenic in well water because of pollution resulting from the management of
cotton defoliants.
In nature, pure arsenic is rare. It is usually combined with other elements to
form "compounds." Arsenic combined with compounds containing carbon is
called "organic arsenic," and arsenic combined with other elements such as
oxygen, chlorine, or sulfur, is called "inorganic arsenic." Arsenic from plants
and animals is usually organic; and arsenic in soil, rock, and water is most
often inorganic.
Despite its reputation as a deadly poison, arsenic is like any toxic substance: its
effects depend on how much and how long people are exposed to it. Testing
on a regular basis is essential to detect the presence of arsenic before it has
time to effect the health of your family. If it is determined that arsenic is a
problem, there are treatment strategies to effectively manage it.
Lone Star
Water Wells
LONE STAR WATER WELLS