We have well water here On The Home Front, when we built our house we wanted to have a spring fed water system but the bank required a drilled artesian well. We have plenty of water and have never run the well dry even during the driest summers. Personally we think our water is wonderful. The well was tested when it was first drilled 17 years ago but we’ve never had the water tested since then. My husband is an avid home brewer and was curious about our water chemistry, so we decided to go ahead and have it tested for more details.
The Vermont Department of Health is a wonderful source of information. Although there are no requirements for the testing of private residential wells, the Vermont Department of Health recommends the following testing schedule:
Total coliform bacterial test – EVERY YEAR
Inorganic chemical test – EVERY FIVE YEARS
Gross alpha radiation screening test – EVERY FIVE YEARS
What are these tests?
Total coliform bacterial test
This test is recommended every year for homeowners with private wells. Coliform bacteria are a large group of soil and intestinal bacteria that indicate potential well contamination and may cause health problems. However, coliform bacteria do not necessarily make you sick. If total coliform bacteria are found, the water is then checked to determine if the origin of the contamination is fecal. This result indicates whether recent animal or human waste has entered the water. Do not drink water that has tested positive for bacterial contamination. Boiling drinking water for one minute will kill bacteria so that it can be used for drinking.
Inorganic Chemical Test
This test is recommended every five years for wells and includes tests for arsenic, chloride, copper, fluoride, hardness, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, sodium and uranium. These inorganic chemicals can create nuisance problems, or in some cases, health symptoms.
Gross Alpha Test
This test is recommended every five years. It is a screening test for mineral radioactivity in water, for example, uranium and radium. This radioactivity is measured and reported in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L).
While water usually has some radioactivity, the gross alpha test will help determine if the levels are high enough to warrant additional testing due to potential health concerns. If screening results are equal to or greater than 5 pCi/L, the water should also be tested for radium. If the screening results are equal to or greater than 15 pCi/L, the water should be tested for radium and uranium.
Once the test kits were ordered and received, the collection of each water sample was pretty easy.
You let the water run for a certain amount of time and then using the container provided collect a sample.
There was a mailing kit provided but my husband decided to drop off the samples in person.
Once the health department received the water sample they will run the tests and mail us the results. Now to be patient while we wait for the results.
Linked To: WildcraftingWednesday
Nancy on the Home Front 