Drinking Water Drinking Water Education Education ProgramProgram

Sauk CountySauk CountyTowns of Dellona, Excelsior Towns of Dellona, Excelsior

and Winfieldand WinfieldSponsored by: • Towns of Dellona, Excelsior and Winfield• Sauk County UW-Extension Office• Sauk County Land Conservation Department• Sauk County Public Health Department• Center for Watershed Science and Education

Today’s presentationToday’s presentation

What is groundwater and where does it come from?What is groundwater and where does it come from?

What do my individual test results mean?What do my individual test results mean?

General groundwater quality in the Towns of Spring General groundwater quality in the Towns of Spring Green and FranklinGreen and Franklin

Improving your water qualityImproving your water quality

Groundwater MovementGroundwater Movement

Soil

Private vs. Public Water SuppliesPrivate vs. Public Water SuppliesPublic Water SuppliesPublic Water Supplies

Regularly tested and Regularly tested and regulated by drinking water regulated by drinking water standards.standards.

Private WellsPrivate Wells

Not required to be regularly Not required to be regularly tested.tested.

Not required to take Not required to take corrective actioncorrective action

Owners must take special Owners must take special precautions to ensure safe precautions to ensure safe drinking water.drinking water.

Why do people test their water?Why do people test their water?

Installed a new wellInstalled a new well Change in taste or odorChange in taste or odor Buying or selling their homeBuying or selling their home Plumbing issuesPlumbing issues Want to know if it’s safe to Want to know if it’s safe to

drink.drink.

What are the Health Concerns?What are the Health Concerns?

Acute EffectsAcute Effects – Usually seen within a – Usually seen within a short time after exposure to a short time after exposure to a substance. substance.

(ex. Bacterial contamination may cause intestinal disease) (ex. Bacterial contamination may cause intestinal disease)

Chronic EffectsChronic Effects – Results from – Results from exposure to a substance over a long exposure to a substance over a long period of time. period of time.

(ex. Arsenic or pesticides can increase the chance of (ex. Arsenic or pesticides can increase the chance of developing certain types of cancer)developing certain types of cancer)

No one No one test tells us test tells us everything we everything we need to know need to know about the about the safety and safety and condition of a condition of a water supplywater supply

Coliform bacteriaColiform bacteria SodiumSodium NitrateNitrate Copper Copper LeadLead TriazineTriazine ZincZinc SulfateSulfate ArsenicArsenic

Saturation Index Saturation Index AlkalinityAlkalinity Conductivity Conductivity PotassiumPotassium

Interpreting Drinking Water Interpreting Drinking Water Test ResultsTest Results

Tests important Tests important to health:to health:

RedRed = human-influenced,= human-influenced, BlueBlue = naturally found= naturally found

HardnessHardness IronIron ManganeseManganese ChlorideChloride

Tests for aesthetic Tests for aesthetic (taste,color,odor) (taste,color,odor)

problems:problems:

Other important Other important indicator tests:indicator tests:

Laboratory Results:

Homeowners Package: Bacteria-Coliform Absent Hardness-Total 357 mg/l CaCO3 Alkalinity 326 mg/l CaCO3 Conductivity 724 umhos/cm Homeowners Metal Package: Arsenic (VISTA-ICP) Less Than 0.005 mg/l (None Detected) Calcium 0.5 mg/l Copper (VISTA-ICP) 0.031 mg/l Iron (VISTA-ICP) 0.065 mg/l Lead (VISTA-ICP) 0.016 mg/l Pesticides: Triazine Screen 0.2 ppb

Laboratory Results:

Homeowners Package: Bacteria-Coliform Absent Hardness-Total 357 mg/l CaCO3 Alkalinity 326 mg/l CaCO3 Conductivity 724 umhos/cm Homeowners Metal Package: Arsenic (VISTA-ICP) Less Than 0.005 mg/l (None Detected) Calcium 0.5 mg/l Copper (VISTA-ICP) 0.031 mg/l Iron (VISTA-ICP) 0.065 mg/l Lead (VISTA-ICP) 0.016 mg/l Pesticides: Triazine Screen 0.2 ppb

Conductivity 724 umhos/cm Homeowners Metal Package:

Lead (VISTA-ICP) 0.016 mg/l Pesticides:

milligrams per liter (mg/l) = parts per million (ppm)

1 mg/l = 1000 parts per billion (ppb)

Tests Important to HealthTests Important to Health

Any present makes water unsafeAny present makes water unsafe

Not harmful themselves, but may Not harmful themselves, but may indicate pathogens (indicate pathogens (E.coliE.coli))

Pathogens can cause Pathogens can cause gastrointestinal disease, cholera, gastrointestinal disease, cholera, hepatitishepatitis

Sources:Sources: Sampling errorSampling error SoilsSoils Human and animal wasteHuman and animal waste Well construction faultsWell construction faults Maintenance issuesMaintenance issues

Coliform bacteriaColiform bacteria

AbsentAbsent

PresentPresentUnsafe

Safe

Some Common Causes of Bacteria Some Common Causes of Bacteria ProblemsProblems

What should I do if I have What should I do if I have Bacteria Problems?Bacteria Problems?

1. Retest 1. Retest 2. Try to identify any sanitary defects2. Try to identify any sanitary defects

Loose or non-existent well capLoose or non-existent well cap Well construction faultsWell construction faults Abandoned wellAbandoned well Inadequate filtration by soilInadequate filtration by soil

3. Disinfect the well3. Disinfect the well

Drill a new well Drill a new well Use alternative source of water for drinking Use alternative source of water for drinking

Rock and Soil Impacts Rock and Soil Impacts on Water Qualityon Water Quality

Tests for Aesthetic ProblemsTests for Aesthetic Problems

Natural (rocks and soils)Natural (rocks and soils) Primarily calcium and Primarily calcium and

magnesiummagnesium No health concernsNo health concerns

Problems: scaling, scum, Problems: scaling, scum, use more detergent, use more detergent, decrease water heater decrease water heater efficiencyefficiency

0

200

150

“SOFT”

“HARD”

IDEAL?

HardnessHardness

Tests for Overall Water QualityTests for Overall Water Quality AlkalinityAlkalinity – ability to neutralize acid – ability to neutralize acid ConductivityConductivity – –

Measure of total ionsMeasure of total ions can be used to indicate presence of can be used to indicate presence of

contaminants (~ twice the hardness)contaminants (~ twice the hardness) pHpH – Indicates water’s acidity and helps – Indicates water’s acidity and helps

determine if water will corrode plumbingdetermine if water will corrode plumbing

70 14Acidic Basic

(-3)(-3) (-1)(-1)(-2)(-2) (+2)(+2)(0)(0) (+1)(+1)(+0.5)(+0.5) (+3)(+3)

Corrosion occursCorrosion occurs Scaling occursScaling occurs

IdealIdeal SevereSevereSevereSevere ModerateModerate ModerateModerateSlightSlight SlightSlight

Saturation IndexSaturation Index

Tests for Overall Water QualityTests for Overall Water Quality

Land Use and Water Quality

Well pumping

water

Nitrate NitrogenNitrate Nitrogen Greater than 10 mg/L Greater than 10 mg/L

Exceeds State and Federal Limits Exceeds State and Federal Limits for Drinking Waterfor Drinking Water

Between 2 and 10 mg/L Between 2 and 10 mg/L Some Human ImpactSome Human Impact

Less than 2.0 mg/L Less than 2.0 mg/L “Transitional” “Transitional”

Less than 0.2 mg/L Less than 0.2 mg/L “Natural”“Natural” 0

10

2

“NATURAL”

UNSAFE

Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health

Tests Important to HealthTests Important to Health

SourcesSources Agricultural fertilizerAgricultural fertilizer Lawn fertilizerLawn fertilizer Septic systemsSeptic systems Animal wastesAnimal wastes Decomposing wastesDecomposing wastes

Health EffectsHealth Effects Methemoglobinemia (blue baby Methemoglobinemia (blue baby

disease)disease) Possible links to birth defects, Possible links to birth defects,

miscarriages (humans & livestock)miscarriages (humans & livestock) Indicator of other contaminantsIndicator of other contaminants

Nitrate-NitrogenNitrate-Nitrogen

Nitrate NitrogenNitrate Nitrogen

What can you do?What can you do? Change well depth or relocate wellChange well depth or relocate well Use alternative source of water for drinkingUse alternative source of water for drinking Water treatment devicesWater treatment devices

Reverse osmosisReverse osmosis DistillationDistillation Anion exchangeAnion exchange

Eliminate contamination sourceEliminate contamination source

Greater than 250 mg/lGreater than 250 mg/l- No direct effects on health- No direct effects on health

- Salty taste- Salty taste

- Exceeds recommended level- Exceeds recommended level

Greater than 10 mg/l may Greater than 10 mg/l may indicate human impactindicate human impact

Less than 10 mg/lLess than 10 mg/l

““Natural” in much of WINatural” in much of WI 10 mg/l

250 mg/l

Tests for Aesthetic ProblemsTests for Aesthetic Problems

ChlorideChloride

Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health

Sources: Naturally occurring in Sources: Naturally occurring in mineral depositsmineral deposits

Standard: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)Standard: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)

Health Effects:Health Effects: Increased risk of skin cancers Increased risk of skin cancers

as well as lung, liver, bladder, as well as lung, liver, bladder, kidney, and colon cancers.kidney, and colon cancers.

Circulatory disordersCirculatory disorders Stomach pain, nausea, diarrheaStomach pain, nausea, diarrhea Unusual skin pigmentation Unusual skin pigmentation

ArsenicArsenic

Sources: Copper water pipesSources: Copper water pipes Standard: 1.3 mg/LStandard: 1.3 mg/L

Health Effects:Health Effects: Some copper is needed for good Some copper is needed for good

healthhealth Too much may cause problems:Too much may cause problems:

Stomach cramps, diarrhea,Stomach cramps, diarrhea,vomiting, nauseavomiting, nauseaFormula intolerance in infantsFormula intolerance in infants

Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health

CopperCopper

00

1.31.3Unsafe

Tests for Aesthetic ProblemsTests for Aesthetic Problems

Natural (rocks and Natural (rocks and soils)soils)

May benefit healthMay benefit health Red and yellow stainsRed and yellow stains

on clothing, fixtureson clothing, fixtures

Potential for iron Potential for iron bacteriabacteria Slime, odor, oily filmSlime, odor, oily film

0.3 mg/L

0

IronIron

Sources: Lead solder joining Sources: Lead solder joining copper pipes (pre-1985)copper pipes (pre-1985)

Standard: 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)Standard: 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)

Health Effects:Health Effects: Young children, infants and Young children, infants and

unborn children are particularly unborn children are particularly vulnerable.vulnerable.

Lead may damage the brain, Lead may damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system, red kidneys, nervous system, red blood cells, reproductive system.blood cells, reproductive system.

Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health

LeadLead

00

0.0150.015Unsafe

Measures the levels of Measures the levels of triazine pesticides (atrazine, triazine pesticides (atrazine, simazine, propazine, simazine, propazine, cyanazine, etc)cyanazine, etc)

Sources: Triazine pesticides Sources: Triazine pesticides (mainly atrazine used on (mainly atrazine used on corn crops)corn crops)

Drinking water limit: Drinking water limit:

3 ppb3 ppb

Tests Important to HealthTests Important to Health

Triazine ScreenTriazine Screen

Test water at a certified labTest water at a certified lab

Know the types and amounts of contaminants you Know the types and amounts of contaminants you need to removeneed to remove

Choose a device approvedChoose a device approvedby the Wisconsin Department by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce for the problems of Commerce for the problems found in your waterfound in your water

Maintenance is necessary to Maintenance is necessary to ensure proper treatment.ensure proper treatment.

A word about water treatment…A word about water treatment…

Nitrate-N Nitrate-N (mg/L)(mg/L)

Chloride Chloride (mg/L)(mg/L)

Twig’s Beverage, Inc. Twig’s Beverage, Inc. ShawanoShawano 3.123.12 15.815.8

Premium Waters, Inc., Premium Waters, Inc., Chippewa FallsChippewa Falls 4.944.94 16.016.0

Nap Beverage, Inc., Nap Beverage, Inc., SuperiorSuperior <0.50<0.50 76.676.6

La Crosse Premium La Crosse Premium Water, La CrosseWater, La Crosse <0.50<0.50 22.222.2

Buffalo Don’s Artesian Buffalo Don’s Artesian Wells, Ltd., MishicotWells, Ltd., Mishicot 0.960.96 21.221.2

Woodman’s Food Woodman’s Food Market, MadisonMarket, Madison 2.652.65 9.129.12

Mineral Spring Water Mineral Spring Water Co., OshkoshCo., Oshkosh <0.50<0.50 49.549.5

Kwik Trip Dairy, La Kwik Trip Dairy, La CrosseCrosse <0.50<0.50 2.962.96

Wisconsin Glacier Wisconsin Glacier Springs Bottling, LLC, Springs Bottling, LLC, New BerlinNew Berlin

1.211.21 51.351.3

Black Bear Bottling Black Bear Bottling Group, Oak CreekGroup, Oak Creek <0.50<0.50 24.424.4

Culligan Bottled Water, Culligan Bottled Water, BurlingtonBurlington <0.50<0.50 4.194.19

http://datcp.state.wi.us/fs/consumerinfo/food/health/bottled-water/index.jsp

DATCP Bottled Drinking Water - 2006

Next StepsNext Steps

Test in 15 months for bacteria, or if water Test in 15 months for bacteria, or if water changes color or claritychanges color or clarity

Test in 15 months for nitrate, or seasonally Test in 15 months for nitrate, or seasonally if levels are elevated if levels are elevated

Test for lead and copper if in your Test for lead and copper if in your plumbingplumbing

Next StepsNext Steps

Test for known or potential contaminants Test for known or potential contaminants in your neighborhoodin your neighborhood Gasoline?Gasoline? Pesticides?Pesticides? Solvents?Solvents?

Check for known contamination sites in Sauk County at:Check for known contamination sites in Sauk County at:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/gis/index.htmhttp://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/gis/index.htm

For more information go to theFor more information go to theCentral Wisconsin Groundwater Center Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center

website.website.

Thank you for coming!Thank you for coming!