When you pour a glass of water, you expect it to be pure and safe. However, absolutely pure water rarely exists in nature. Water absorbs minerals, organic materials, and organisms as it moves through the air and soil into surface and ground water supplies. So, while most water appears clean and problem free at the tap, it may not be safe for drinking or acceptable for household activities. Taste and odor are not always indicators of water quality. Contaminated water can taste and smell fine, while unpleasant tasting or smelling water can be safe to drink or use. Public water systems regularly test for over 80 contaminants, according to the rules and regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Occasionally, problems such as spills, floods, or treatment malfunctions do occur at a public water supply and prevent the local water supply from meeting water quality standards. Consumers are notified immediately of violations and told how to take corrective actions (such as boiling water). Test results from public water suppliers are public information and are available upon request. In 1999, public water suppliers began distributing annual quality reports to their customers. You may wish to test your water if you suspect a problem in your home’s plumbing, connections, or treatment system.

If you are one of the 1.7 million private well owners in Indiana, you should already know that you are responsible for monitoring the quality of your water. There is no general test for water quality. Water must be tested for specific substances, but testing for every possible contaminant is unnecessary and expensive.

Which Tests?

Your first concern is to provide your family with a safe source of water. Private well owners should test annually for total coliform bacteria and nitrate. Although they are not the only potential problems, the presence or absence of bacteria or nitrate often indicates the general safety of your water supply. These contaminants can only be identified through testing because both are typically invisible, odorless, and tasteless.

Bacteria

The most commonly found contaminant in private wells is coliform bacteria, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. Coliform bacteria are found in the digestive tract of all birds and mammals. Most coliform bacteria are not harmful themselves, but point to an unsanitary condition and possible presence of disease causing organisms. In some cases the bacteria are found in the plumbing or in the well and not in the water supply itself. Coliform bacteria serve as indicators of pathogens that are difficult to identify and measure. Pathogens commonly found in water cause acute intestinal infections. Drinking water from private wells should be tested for the presence of bacteria at least once a year or when work has been done to the water supply system or any time there is any change in the water. The drinking water quality standard for coliform bacteria is set at less than one coliform organism per 100 ml of water.

Nitrates

High levels of nitrate in the water supply can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), which is a serious health threat for infants less than six months old. Potential sources of nitrate in ground water include septic systems, fertilizers, and livestock manure. A regular nitrate test is recommended for all wells and is essential for wells serving infants less than six months of age. If nitrate levels are less than 5 mg/l, retesting every few years should be adequate. If the results are between 5 and 10 mg/l, annual testing is recommended. If the well is located near a source of nitrate, such as manure storage or septic or sewer systems, consider retesting for nitrate.

Lead

How Can I Protect My Water Supply?

Your everyday activities affect water quality either positively or negatively. Careful attention to what you do, particularly near your well, can protect the quality of both ground and surface waters.

Slope the area around the well to drain surface runoff away from the well.
Keep accurate records of well maintenance and water analysis.
Regularly check exposed parts of the well for cracked, corroded, or damaged well- casing, a broken or missing well cap, or settling and cracking of surface seals.
Avoid mixing or using pesticides, fertilizers, degreasers, fuel, and other pollutants near the well.
Properly dispose of used motor oil, leftover paint, antifreeze, and other hazardous compounds. Do not pour these compounds on the ground or down the drain.
Seal abandoned wells using recommended methods.
Do not cut off the well-casing below the ground surface.
Make certain set-back distances between the septic system and well are adequate.