The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions:

1. WHAT SHOULD I TEST MY WELL WATER FOR?

If you have a private well, you should test your water minimally for Coliform Bacteria, Nitrates and Arsenic.

Coliform are present in the environment and feces of all warm-blooded animals and humans. The presence of Coliform Bacteria indicates disease causing organisms (pathogens) may be present.
Total Coliform from the environment are generally harmless and usually found in soil and vegetation.
Fecal Coliform, a sub-group of Coliform are a greater risk of pathogens and come from feces.
E. Coli, a sub-group of Fecal Coliform, are an even greater risk.

Nitrates are naturally occuring and have ill health effects, especially with infants and school aged children. High levels of Nitrates cause Methemoglobinemia or "Blue Baby Syndrome"

Arsenic is also naturally occuring and we have an abundance in our soils, which leaches into our groundwater.

2. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE COLIFORM PRESENT IN MY TEST?

You should shock your well with a commercial bleach containing approximately 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite. Dose your well at a level of 1 gallon bleach per 1000 gallons of water. Once you have dumped the bleach into the well, open every faucet in your home until you smell the bleach come through. Keep the faucets shut off for 24 hours, then flush each faucet until you don't smell the bleach any longer then flush it for two more minutes. Be sure not to allow anyone to use the water during the disinfection phase. THIS LEVEL OF CHLORINE CAN BE VERY HARMFUL IF INGESTED.

3. WHAT IS HARDNESS?

Hardness is the measure of minerals (Calcium and Magnesium) in your water. Hardness is generally not harmful to your health, but can be a nuisance in your home. If you have hard water, you will have difficulty lathering soap as well as white deposits on your faucets and dishes. Hard water will also consume more energy to heat. Soft water can be a problem as well. Most metals are partially soluble in water, especially soft water or heated water. If you have soft water, this will create "pin holes" in your copper pipes or dissolve the solder that holds them together and as a result will leach those metals into your drinking water.

4. HOW DO I TEST MY HOUSE FOR LEAD BASED PAINT?

Scrape a one to four inch square of paint from an inconspicuous area of your home and place it into a plastic bag and bring it to AmTest for analysis. If the test reveals less than 5,000 ppm lead you that particular paint is considered non-lead based. If the test reveals less than 500 ppm it is considered lead free. If the test reveals you are between 500 and 5000 ppm, the paint is considered to contain lead, but not lead based.

If your home was built prior to 1978, you should test for lead based paint.

If your home was built prior to 1988, you should test your plumbing for lead based solder.

5. WHAT IS SULFUR REDUCING BACTERIA (SRB)?

Sulfure Reducing Bacteria is a nonpathogenic anaerobic bacteria which forms enzymes that reduce sulfur containing compounds to hydrogen sulfide, a rotten egg smelling, highly corrosive gas. They form a slime using other bacteria to protect themselves, which makes SRB's very difficult to treat. Shock chlorination will treat the SRB's, but because they secrete the thick slimes, this actually protects them from the chlorination process. Multiple chlorine treatments may be necessary, or salt or acid treatments in very severe cases. SRB's will also flourish in hot water tanks. Hot water tanks are usually set at or below 140 degrees Fahrenheit. SRB's die at temperatures above 140 degrees, so increasing your hot water tank temperature is an effective treatement. Professional assistance should be sought for this treatment.

6. WHAT IS IRON BACTERIA (SRB)?

Iron bacteria is more common than sulfur bacteria because iron is more abundant in the ground water. Iron bacteria oxidize the iron and manganese in your water and create a foul smelling brown slime resembling fuel, cucumbers or sewage. There isn't a heatlh hazard with iron bacteria, but it can be a nusiance as well by clogging well screens, pipes and plumbing fixtures. Iron bacteria can cause your water to have a yellow, red or orange color and sometimes you will see a sheen on your water.




If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.