Tips for Managing Your Water Quality and Private Water System

YOUR NAME HERE, VolunteerVirginia Master Well Owner Network

Today’s PresentationToday’s Presentation• Virginia Household Water Quality Program

• Virginia Master Well Owner Network

• How to care for your private water system• Well location, protection, and construction

• Well maintenance and care

• Drinking water regulations – How much is too much?

• Water testing – What’s in your water?

• Dealing with water problems

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What is the VAHWQP?What is the VAHWQP?

Established in 1989County-based Drinking Water Clinics

Coordinated with local Extension Agents Kickoff Meeting Homeowners collect sample; samples analyzed at VT lab Interpretation Meeting: test results and advice for dealing with

water problems provided

• The Virginia Master Well Owner Network

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Virginia Master Well Owner Network Virginia Master Well Owner Network (VAMWON) (VAMWON) Includes extension agents and volunteers

Training workshops across VA•Groundwater basics•Proper well location, construction and maintenance•Land use impacts•Water testing•Solving water problems•Education and outreach ideas

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VAMWON volunteer outreach:Fairs and home showsSpeak to church or civic groups

One-on-one conversations with neighbors and friends

Write an article for local paperHelp with drinking water clinic

Proper well locationProper well locationWell should be at least:◦ 5 feet from property boundary◦ 10 feet from building foundation

(50 feet if termite treated)◦ 50 feet from road◦ 50 feet from sewers and septic tanks◦ 100 feet from pastures, on-lot sewage system

drainfields, cesspools or barnyardsUpslope from potential contaminationNot in an area that receives runoff

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Proper well constructionProper well constructionContract a licensed driller:

◦ Valid Class A, B or C contractor license with WWP (Water Well and Pump) classification

Well casing ◦ Minimum of 20’ for bored, 50 – 100’ deep

for drilled, depending on class of well

◦ Extends 12” above ground

Grouting to a minimum of 20’Sanitary well cap or sealed concrete cover Ground slopes away from well

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Well Maintenance TipsWell Maintenance TipsDo not use fertilizers, pesticides, oil, or paint

around wellKeep area around well clean and accessibleKeep 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

Every 10 years have well inspected by a qualified professional (with WWP classification)

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Private Water Supply RegulationsPrivate Water Supply Regulations

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• Virginia Private Well Regso Specify application, inspection and

construction requirementso No requirements for maintenance or

water testing after construction of well – responsibility of the owner!

• EPA National Drinking Water Standards

o Apply to PUBLIC systemso Primary (health) and Secondary

(nuisance)o Can be used as guidance for

private systems to know “how much is too much”

EPA Drinking Water StandardsEPA Drinking Water StandardsPrimary Standards• Also called Maximum

Contaminant Level (MCL)

• Cause health problems

• Enforced for public systems

• Over 80 contaminants

• For example: o Nitrateo Leado Coliformo Most organic chemicals and

pesticides

Secondary Standards Also called SMCL or RMCL Cause aesthetic problems:

o Stainingo Tasteo Odor

Can naturally occur in ground water

About 15, including:o Iron o Fluoride o Chloride

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Testing water qualityTesting water qualityWhy test?

◦ Protect family’s health and safety

◦ Many contaminants undetectable by human senses

◦ Preventive measures often more effective and less expensive

◦ Legal protection

When to test?◦ Routine tests every 1-3 years

◦ Pregnant woman or infant in the home

◦ Recurring gastrointestinal illness

◦ Change in taste, appearance, odor of water

◦ Any services or repairs are done

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What should I test for?What should I test for?Every year test for coliform bacteria

◦ Simple, inexpensive test (<$40)

◦ Indicates possible contamination from human or animal waste

Every three years test:◦ pH (secondary std: 6.5 – 8.5)

◦ Total Dissolved Solids (TDS; secondary std 500 mg/L)

◦ Other contaminants based on local land uses nearby and condition of water

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ResidentialDevelopmentBacteriaNitratesSedimentLawn Chemicals

How do I test my water?How do I test my water?Participate in a VAHWQP drinking water clinic ◦ List of 2013 clinics: http://www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/events.php

Choose a certified laboratory ◦ List available at www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/resources.php

Use containers provided and follow directions◦Sample bottles often contain fixers- do not rinse ◦Be aware of time requirements to get samples to lab

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Understanding test resultsUnderstanding test resultsMost 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

◦Bacteria

◦Radon, hardness, pH

Compare to EPA standards: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html

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1 ppm = about 4 drops in a 55 gallon barrel!

Options for problem waterOptions for problem water

1. If possible, control the source of pollution◦ Divert runoff from well, 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

14http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/septic-tank-cleaning-1.jpg, http://www.shipewelldrilling.com/Pictures/well_drilling_rig.jpg, http://www.clearflow.ca/REVERSE_OSMOSIS2.jpg

Treatment ConsiderationsTreatment ConsiderationsBe sure to explore ALL of your optionsAlways have water tested by a certified labBe aware of dishonest businesses – look for NSF

(National Sanitation Foundation) and WQA (Water Quality Association) certifications, consult BBB

If it sounds too good to be true…it probably is!Point of Use (POU) vs. Point of Entry (POE)Weigh benefits and limitations of device◦ Cost

◦ Maintenance

◦ Warranty

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Interested in learning more?Interested in learning more?

Come to a drinking water clinicJoin the Virginia Master Well Owner Network!◦ Learn more about your own water system and how to

protect your water quality◦Help others by sharing this information◦Apply today at: www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu◦At VAMWON training workshop:

Free water conservation devices for home and garden Resource binder Presentations and activities with water experts

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Erin Ling, CoordinatorVirginia Household Water Quality Program

Virginia Master Well Owner Network

Website: www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu

Email: wellwater@vt.edu

Ph: 540-231-9058

YOUR NAME HERE, VolunteerVirginia Master Well Owner Network

ResourcesResources Virginia Cooperative Extension household water quality:

http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Docs.woa/wa/getcat?cat=ir-nrem-wq-hwq

Virginia Cooperative Extension Offices: www.ext.vt.edu

Virginia Department of Health/Private Well Regulations: www.vdh.state.va.us

EPA private wells site: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/privatewells/whatyoucando.html

National Groundwater Association Well Owner: http://www.wellowner.org/

National Sanitation Foundation: www.nsf.org

Water Quality Association: www.wqa.org

Consumer Reports or Better Business Bureau: www.consumerreports.org OR www.bbb.org

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Spring Management TipsSpring Management Tips

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Make sure spring box is sealed to prevent insects, animals, and surface water from entering

Fence livestock out of stream catchment area

Disinfect springs after construction and test annually for bacteria

Cistern Management TipsCistern Management Tips

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Make sure cistern is constructed properly to ensure it is the proper size to meet your water demands. A minimum of 5,000 gallons is recommended.

All cisterns require treatment. Most rely on rainwater that can be extremely corrosive to plumbing systems

Water should be disinfected before it is consumed

The Finished Product – Drilled WellThe Finished Product – Drilled Well

21http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/06-117.htm

The Finished Product – Bored WellThe Finished Product – Bored Well

22http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/06-117.htm