County Drinking Water Clinic Interpretation Meeting Erin James Ling and Brian Benham Biological Systems Engineering Department Virginia Tech.

County Drinking Water ClinicInterpretation Meeting

Erin James Ling and Brian Benham

Biological Systems Engineering Department

Virginia Tech

Why are we here?Why are we here?

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

• Well maintenance and care

• Drinking water regulations – knowing how much is too much

• Water testing – what’s in your water?

• Dealing with problems

• Additional resources

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Private Water Supplies in VirginiaPrivate Water Supplies in VirginiaMajority of households in 60 of Virginia’s 95

counties rely on private water supply systems

(> 1,500,000 homes)

In 52 counties, the number of households using

private wells is increasing faster than the number

connecting to public systems (VADEQ, 2007)

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

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How does water move to my well?How does water move to my well?

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In this part of Virginia, groundwater

moves through fractures, or cracks in

the bedrock

Water can come from many different

directions and sources into one well

It can take water hours, days, or years

to move through bedrock

Well casing extends through loose

“overburden” and into the bedrock,

where an open borehole continues

underground

Water can come from any fractures that

intersect the open borehole

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 barnyards

Upslope from potential contamination

Not in an area that receives runoff

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Proper well constructionProper well construction Contract 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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The Finished Product – Drilled WellThe Finished Product – Drilled Well

7http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/06-117.htm

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

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

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 Regulationso Specify application, inspection and

construction requirements

o No requirements for maintenance or water

testing after construction of well –

responsibility of the owner!

• EPA National Drinking

Water Standardso Apply to PUBLIC systems

o 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 Standards

Primary Standards• Also called Maximum

Contaminant Level (MCL)

• Cause health problems

• Enforced for public systems

• Over 80 contaminants

• For example:

o Nitrate

o Lead

o Coliform

o Most organic chemicals and

pesticides

Secondary Standards Also called SMCL or RMCL

Cause aesthetic problems:

o Staining

o Taste

o 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 ($15-20)

◦ 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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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

◦Radon, hardness, pH

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

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Sources of potential contaminants or issues of

concern

pH/corrosivity hardness

nitratefluoride

TDS

iron

manganese sulfatechloride

sodium

Surface water contamination: nitrate, bacteria

Source may be plumbing materials or existing water treatment device:sodiumcopperleadbacteria

Often found in groundwater naturally, may be due to human activities on or below ground:

well

Options for problem waterOptions for problem water1. 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

15http://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 options

Always have water tested by a certified lab

Be aware of unscrupulous businesses – look for

National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and Water

Quality Association (WQA) certifications, consult

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Point of Use (POU) vs. Point of Entry (POE)

Weigh benefits and limitations of a device:

◦ Cost

◦ Maintenance requirements

◦ Warranty

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SAMPLE Test ReportSAMPLE Test ReportTest

Household Water Sample

Recommended Maximum or Range

Iron (mg/L) 0.02 0.3

Manganese (mg/L) <0.001 0.05

Hardness (mg/L) 44.5 180

Sulfate (mg/L) 2.066 250

Chloride (mg/L) 30 250

Fluoride (mg/L) < 0.1 2.0

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 102 500

pH 6.2** 6.5 to 8.5

Copper (mg/L) 0.04 1.0

Sodium (mg/L) 7.8 20

Nitrate-N (mg/L) 4 10

Total Coliform Bacteria PRESENT** ABSENT

E. Coli Bacteria ABSENT ABSENT

17** measured value exceeds recommendation for household water

Coliform BacteriaColiform BacteriaCannot be smelled, tasted or seenColiform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means disease-causing bacteria may be present

Public standard is 0 colony forming units(cfu)/100 mL (ABSENT)

If present, test for fecal coliform or E. coli presence – indicator that sewage or animal waste is present.

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If Coliform Bacteria are PRESENTIf Coliform Bacteria are PRESENT

Don’t panic!May consider retesting to ensure cross-

contamination wasn’t the problem◦ List available at

http://www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/resources.php

Examine well or spring for damageConsider shock chlorinationLong term treatment: ozonation, UV light,

continuous chlorination

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If If E. Coli E. Coli Bacteria are PRESENTBacteria are PRESENT

Take immediate steps to address

Shock chlorinate

Check for potential contamination sources

Retest water after shocking

In the meantime, consider boiling

or use another source of water for

drinking or cooking

Consider long-term treatment options: UV light,

ozonation, continuous disinfection

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Corrosive WaterCorrosive Water Also called aggressive water

Corrodes metal plumbing – can leach metals, causes pitting and leaks, reduces length of appliance life

Most commonly caused by low pH; other contributing factors include alkalinity, temperature, TDS levels

EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

Excess copper or lead in drinking water is a health concern

Depending on pH, treat with acid neutralizing filter or soda ash injection

21http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/wtprimer/corrosion/corrosion.html

Corrosive Water: Metals of concernCorrosive Water: Metals of concern Lead

◦ Many serious health effects, especially in children and infants

Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

◦ EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with a health action level of 15 µg/L.

◦ Sources include: Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)

Solder in homes built prior to 1986

“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

Copper

◦ High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps; infants and

children particularly sensitive

◦ EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L

◦ Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L

22http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

Hardness/ScalingHardness/Scaling

Hardness Rating Grains per Gallon mg/L

Soft Less than 1.0 Less than 17.1

Slightly-Moderately Hard 1.0-7.0 17.1-120

Hard 7.0-10.5 120-180

Very Hard Over 10.5 Over 180

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Hard water contains high levels of

calcium and magnesium ions

◦ Dissolved into water during contact with 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

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds

as it travels over and under ground

TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia

Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals

Man-made sources:

◦ Septic systems and sewage

◦ Run off 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

24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

Sodium and ChlorideSodium and Chloride Low levels occur naturally; high levels usually from

man-made source

◦ Road salt storage or application

◦ Industrial waste

◦ Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste

◦ WATER SOFTENER

Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L

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, demineralization

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pHpH 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

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Increasing acidity

Increasing alkalinity

Neutral

Lemon juice

Vinegar

Recommended pH range 6.5 – 8.5

Milk

Battery acid

Ammonia

Milk of magnesia

Baking sodaSea water

Lye

Distilled water

Coffee

Bleach

Gastric acid

Nitrate (NONitrate (NO33-N)-N)

Serious health concern for infants

◦ Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”

Nitrate nitrite during digestion and blood cannot carry oxygen

◦ CL 10 mg/L NO3-N or 45 mg/L of NO3

If 3-5 mg/L, use 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, ion exchange

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Hydrogen SulfideHydrogen SulfideColorless 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

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Iron and ManganeseIron and Manganese Nuisance - not health concern

SMCL: Iron = 0.3 mg/L Manganese = 0.05 mg/L

Red-brown/black staining, particles,

metallic taste

Treatment depends on type/form of iron

◦ Ferrous: water initially clear orange-brown or

black solid particles

◦ Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or

water has a tint

◦ Iron bacteria: not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,

forming red-brown or black-brown slime

Treatment: water softener, aeration and filtration, ozonation,

distillation

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FluorideFluorideOccurs naturally in varying levels

◦ Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

Added to many public water systems for reduced dental

caries and strong teeth and bones

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

Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L

Limited use for children up to 8 years

Treatment (reverse osmosis) removes ALL fluoride

30http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

Virginia Master Well Owner Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training WorkshopNetwork Training Workshop

New opportunity for

private water supply users!

Visit www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu

today to find out more and complete an

application

or contact Erin James Ling

[email protected]

540-231-9058

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Help Others!

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Contact UsContact Us

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Barry RobinsonMontgomery Co Extension

[email protected](540) 382-5790

Erin James Ling

Virginia Household Water Quality Program and Master Well Owner

Network [email protected]

540-231-9058

Brian Benham

Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering

Extension [email protected]

540-231-5705

Visit our Private Water Supply Protection Website:

www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu

ResourcesResources Virginia Household Water Quality Program www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu

Virginia Certified Lab Listing

http://www.dgs.state.va.us/divisionofconsolidatedlaboratoryservices/

services/laboratorycertification/tabid/508/default.aspx

EPA Private Wells Site

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/privatewells/whatyoucando.html

National Groundwater Association Well Owner

http://www.wellowner.org/

Water Systems Council Wellcare Hotline http://www.wellcarehotline.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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Questions?Questions?

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Local land uses Local land uses

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MiningIronManganesepH

AgricultureNitratesBacteriaPesticides

RoadsSodium Chloride

Industry or LandfillPetroleum

VOC’s

ResidentialDevelopmentBacteriaNitratesSedimentLawn Chemicals

Conditions or nearby activities of concernConditions or nearby activities of concernConditions or Nearby Activities Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored Colors, detergents

36Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

Treatment OptionsTreatment OptionsPrimary Problem Treatment Method Notes

Corrosive water, copper, lead, leaks

Acid neutralization Uses limestone chips or soda ash to increase water pH and hardness to prevent corrosion

Arsenic, fluoride Activated alumina Water pH must be less than 8.5 Pretreatment with oxidation may be necessary to achieve good arsenic removal

Hydrogen sulfide, methane, volatile organics, radon

Aeration Expensive and susceptible to cogging by other pollutants but very effective when multiple gases are present

Sulfate, nitrate, arsenic Anion exchange Increases chloride concentration in treated water. May make water more corrosive.

Chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, radon, miscellaneous tastes and odors, volatile organics

Carbon filter Disinfection should be used on water supplies with bacterial contamination because bacteria can multiply in filter. Carbon must be replaced periodically.

37Adapted from Tips for Buying Water Treatment Equipment by Stephanie Clemens and Bryan Swistock, Penn State University

Treatment OptionsTreatment Options

Primary Problem Treatment Method Notes

Bacteria, iron and manganese

Chlorination Water must be clear for chlorine to work. Requires tank for storage and contact time.

Removes everything except volatile organics, pesticides, herbicides

Distillation Produces small amounts of bland-tasting water. Space needed to store treated water.

Iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide

Oxidizing filters Periodic addition of chemicals and backwashing is necessary. Good option when all three are present.

Bacteria, metals, odors, tastes

Ozone Expensive to purchase and operate but very effective at removing multiple pollutants.

All dissolved pollutants Reverse osmosis Produces small amounts of water and some waste water. Will not remove most organic pollutants or bacteria

38Adapted from Tips for Buying Water Treatment Equipment by Stephanie Clemens and Bryan Swistock, Penn State University

Treatment OptionsTreatment Options

Primary Problem Treatment Method Notes

Soil, sand, other particles Sediment filter Must be routinely changed or backwashed

Removes scale or hardness and limited amounts of dissolved iron and manganese

Softener Causes increase in water sodium level. Water may become more corrosive after softening.

Bacteria Ultraviolet light Water must be free of sediment to kill bacteria effectively. Change bulb annually.

39Adapted from Tips for Buying Water Treatment Equipment by Stephanie Clemens and Bryan Swistock, Penn State University