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Safety
It was the best of water... it was the worst of water If a private well is your main source of drinking water, you should have the water tested on a regular basis. Water testing can done by the Illinois Department of Public Health or by private labs. A basic test analyzes water for two common contaminants, coliform bacteria and nitrate. The best time to test for these contaminants is during spring or summer following a period of heavy rainfall.
The presence of coliform bacteria is an overall water quality indicator. If coliform bacteria are detected in a water sample, there is some degree of contamination, and other organisms may also be present. High nitrate levels in water are especially a concern for pregnant women and infants under six months of age. If nitrate-nitrogen levels exceed the standard of 10 parts per million, water should not be consumed by pregnant women or infants under the age of six months. Use an alternate water source for drinking. Laboratories can also test water for other physical and chemical problems. They can measure color, corrosiveness, odor, pH and they can test for the presence of detergents, pesticides, and other contaminants. Iron, copper, manganese, organic chemicals and organic matter can cause a visible tint in the water. Industrial wastes, household detergents, and other foaming agents can give the water a cloudy appearance and an unpleasant odor. Methane can also make the water appear cloudy or bubbly.
A rotten-egg, septic, musty or chemical smell can have a variety of causes, such as dissolved gases, minerals, and chemicals; leaking underground storage tanks; landfill or septic runoff; bacteria, algae, and organic matter. If the water contains unacceptable levels of some compounds, first identify the source and try to correct the problem. If this approach does not work, you might consider a water treatment device. Since no single treatment system corrects all water quality problems, it is important to know what type of contaminants you want to remove. In addition, all systems have limitations and life expectancies, and all systems require some type of maintenance. The water treatment field, like other consumer areas, attracts its share of questionable claims and sales tactics. If you are thinking of having your water tested by someone in the business of selling treatment devices, keep in mind that the company may have a conflict of interest. Do not be rushed into making a decision, instead, take time to shop around and compare different water-treatment systems. Find out the costs and frequency of maintenance, as well as the cost per gallon to treat water. Two publications about water testing are available from your local University of Illinois Extension office. Safe Drinking Water: Testing and Treating Home Drinking Water (Land and Water Publication Number 17) contains information about water testing, types of contaminants, and treatment devices that are available. This publication also includes a list of labs that are certified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to test home drinking water. Planning Your Well: Guidelines for Safe, Dependable Drinking Water (Land and Water Publication Number 14) provides information about water quality, planning and installing a well, and understanding geologic conditions that affect groundwater.
George Czapar is an Extension Educator, Integrated Pest Management at the Springfield Extension Center, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois. 14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING APRIL 2000 |
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