Erin James

Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training

Water Quality Contaminants of Concern

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Sources of potential contaminants or issues of concern

pH/corrosivity hardness

nitratefluoride

TDS

iron

manganesesulfate

chloride

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 man’s activities on or below ground:

well

Testing water qualityWhy test?

Protect family’s health and safetyMany contaminants undetectable by human sensesPreventive measures often more effective and less

expensiveLegal protection

When to test?Routine tests every 1-3 yearsPregnant woman or infant in the homeRecurring gastrointestinal illnessChange in taste, appearance, odor of waterAny services or repairs are done

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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 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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Private Water Supply Regulations

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• Virginia Private Well Regulationso Specify application, inspection and

construction requirementso No requirements for maintenance or

water testing after construction of well – responsibility of the owner!

• EPA National Drinking Water Standards

o Apply to PUBLIC systemso Primary (health) and Secondary

(nuisance)o Can be used as guidance for private

systems to know “how much is too much”

EPA Drinking Water StandardsPrimary Standards• Also called Maximum

Contaminant Level (MCL)• Cause health problems• Enforced for public systems• Over 80 contaminants• For example:

o Nitrateo Leado Coliformo Most organic chemicals and

pesticides

Secondary StandardsAlso called SMCL or RMCLCause aesthetic problems:

o Stainingo Tasteo Odor

Can naturally occur in ground water

About 15 contaminants including:o Iron o Fluoride o Chloride

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Tests for Specific Health Concerns

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Situation Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring incidents of gastrointestinal illness

Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate

Household plumbing contains lead pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper, cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended low-sodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

Tests based on nearby land use

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If you suspect or observe Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity, manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead, pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand, VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system Fecal coliform/E. coli, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan, pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

Nuisance Problems

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Symptom Description Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing fixtures

Red or brownReddish-brown slimeBlackGreen or BlueChalky white

IronIron bacteriaManganeseCopper Hardness

Off-color water CloudyBlackBrown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solidsHydrogen sulfide, MnIron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor Rotten eggMetallicSaltySeptic, musty, earthyAlkali, bitter Gasoline or oilSoapy

Hydrogen sulfidepH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, PbTDS, chloride, sodiumColiform, methanepH, TDSHydrocarbon scanSurfactants or detergents

Corrosive water Deposits, pitting of plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

If Coliform Bacteria are PRESENTDon’t panic!Recommend RETEST

Use certified lab Follow with test for E. Coli bacteria

Take this as an opportunity to examine well or spring for damage or needed improvements

Consider shock chlorinationLong term treatment options: ozonation, UV

light, continuous chlorination

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If E. Coli Bacteria are PRESENTTake immediate steps to addressShock chlorinateRetest waterIn the meantime, consider boiling for at least 3

minutes or use another source of water for drinking or cooking

Check for potential contamination sources, examine well or spring

Consider long-term treatment options: UV light, ozonation, continuous disinfection

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Nitrate (NO3-N)Serious health concern for infants < 6 mo

Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”

Nitrate nitrite during digestion and blood cannot carry oxygen

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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pH

Measure of whether a substance is acidic or alkaline

Scale: 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline)

pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than pH of 7 (logarithmic scale)

Good indicator of general water quality

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2

3

4

5

6

7

0

8

9

10

12

11

14

13

more acidic

more alkaline

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

Corrosive and Scaling WaterMeasure of alkalinity, TDS, and pHCorrosive (aggressive) water

Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pittingLeaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health concern!EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

Scaling water Contains high levels of mineralsForms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime deposits

on shower heads and tapsCan lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters and

appliances

16http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

Corrosive and Scaling WaterUsually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)

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Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)

Description Recommendation

-5 to -3 Severe corrosion Treatment recommended

-3 to -1 Moderate corrosion Consider treatment

1- to 1 Balanced Treatment not needed

1 to 3 Moderate scaling Consider treatment

3 to 5 Severe scaling Treatment recommended

Corrosive WaterAlso 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

18http://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 concernLead

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

19http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

Hardness/Scaling

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Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ionsDissolved into water during contact with

limestone and other mineralsNot a health risk – nuisance

Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergentsScale build-up in pipes and on appliancesReduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

No EPA standard for public systemsTreat using water softener

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

travels over and under groundTDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm diaNatural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other mineralsMan-made sources:

Septic systems and sewageRun off from agricultural or urban landRoad salt, industrial sources

General indicator of water quality; test at least every three years

EPA SMCL is 500 mg/LTreat using distillation or reverse osmosis

21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

FluorideOccurs naturally in varying levels

Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater (3-6 mg/L)

Added to many public water systems for reduced dental caries and strong teeth and bones

Health concerns: Long term exposure: links to bone cancerShorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/LOptimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/LLimited use for children up to 8 yearsTreatment (reverse osmosis) removes ALL fluoride

22http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

Sodium and ChlorideLow levels occur naturally; high levels usually from

man-made sourceRoad salt storage or application

Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste

WATER SOFTENER

Sodium: EPA MCL for those onlow-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; increased corrosion of pipes and water heaters

Treat using distillation, reverse osmosis, demineralization

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Iron and ManganeseNuisance - not health concernSMCL: Iron = 0.3 mg/L Manganese = 0.05 mg/LRed-brown/black staining, particles,

metallic tasteTreatment 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/Manganese 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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Hydrogen SulfideColorless gas; rotten egg smellNot regulated by EPA – people can detect low levelsNaturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil fieldsSulfur-reducing bacteria produce (not a health risk)Treatment depends on concentration, so must testOnly noticeable in hot water?

Bacteria could be thriving in your water heaterSulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your

water heater during a reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod

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What do you recall about…..Iron and manganeseBacteriaHardnessCorrosive and Scaling WaterHydrogen SulfideNitrateSodiumTDSFluoride

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