Sauk County Community Sauk County Community Drinking Water ProgramDrinking Water Program

Kevin MasarikKevin Masarik

CENTER FOR WATERSHED SCIENCE AND EDUCATION ▪ UW-STEVENS POINT ▪ UW-EXTENSION

Today’s presentation

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

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

o General groundwater quality in the Towns of Honey General groundwater quality in the Towns of Honey Creek, Prairie du Sac and Troy.Creek, Prairie du Sac and Troy.

o Improving your water qualityImproving your water quality

Precipitation

Infiltration

Runoff

River

Well

Runoff Evaporation

Transpiration

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

Water Table

Percolation

Groundwater

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 Not required to be regularly tested.regularly 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)

Coliform bacteriaColiform bacteria Coliform bacteria Coliform bacteria maymay indicate indicate

the presence of more harmful the presence of more harmful bacteria with similar life cycles. bacteria with similar life cycles.

Harmful bacteria can cause Harmful bacteria can cause gastrointestinal disease, gastrointestinal disease, cholera, hepatitischolera, hepatitis

If any is present assume that the If any is present assume that the water is unsafewater is unsafe

Sources:Sources: Live in soils and on vegetationLive in soils and on vegetation Human and animal wasteHuman and animal waste Sampling errorSampling error

Present =Unsafe

Absent = Safe

E.coli bacteriaE.coli bacteria

Type of bacteria found in the Type of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded intestines of warm-blooded animals and their feces are animals and their feces are called E.coli.called E.coli.

E.coli are often present with E.coli are often present with harmful bacteria, viruses and harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause parasites that can cause serious gastrointestinal serious gastrointestinal illnesses.illnesses.

Any detectable level of E.coli Any detectable level of E.coli means your water is unsafe means your water is unsafe to drink.to drink.

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

1.1. Use alternative source of water for drinkingUse alternative source of water for drinking2.2. Retest Retest 3. Try to identify any sanitary defects3. 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

4. Disinfect the well4. Disinfect the well5. Retest to ensure well is bacteria free. 5. Retest to ensure well is bacteria free.

For reoccurring bacteria problems it may be For reoccurring bacteria problems it may be necessary to look into drilling a new well.necessary to look into drilling a new well.

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

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

Water SofteningWater SofteningWater softeners remove calcium Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium which cause and magnesium which cause scaling and exchange it for scaling and exchange it for sodium (or potassium).sodium (or potassium).

Negative: Increases sodium Negative: Increases sodium content of water. content of water.

Suggestions:Suggestions: Bypass your drinking water Bypass your drinking water

faucet.faucet. Do not soften water for outdoor Do not soften water for outdoor

faucets. faucets. If you are concerned about If you are concerned about

sodium levels – use potassium sodium levels – use potassium chloride softener salt.chloride softener salt.

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

Nitrate-NitrogenNitrate-Nitrogen

Health Effects:Health Effects: Methemoglobinemia (blue Methemoglobinemia (blue

baby disease)baby disease) Possible links to birth defects Possible links to birth defects

and miscarriages (humans and and miscarriages (humans and livestock)livestock)

Indicator of other contaminantsIndicator of other contaminants

Sources:Sources: Agricultural fertilizerAgricultural fertilizer Lawn fertilizerLawn fertilizer Septic systemsSeptic systems Animal wastesAnimal wastes

What can I do to reduce my What can I do to reduce my nitrate levels?nitrate levels?

Eliminate contamination source or reduce Eliminate contamination source or reduce nitrogen inputsnitrogen inputs

Change well depth or relocate wellChange well depth or relocate well Carry or buy waterCarry or buy water Water treatment devicesWater treatment devices

Reverse osmosisReverse osmosis DistillationDistillation Anion exchangeAnion exchange

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

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: 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

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

Lead and CopperLead and Copper

Solutions:Solutions: Run water until cold before drinking.Run water until cold before drinking. Use a treatment device. Use a treatment device.

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

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…

Next StepsNext Steps

Test well annually for bacteria, or if water Test well annually for bacteria, or if water changes color or clarity.changes color or clarity.

If levels are elevated, test again in 15 If levels are elevated, test again in 15 months for nitrate.months for nitrate.

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

Thanks to the following for helping sponsor this Thanks to the following for helping sponsor this program:program:

• Town of Honey CreekTown of Honey Creek• Town of Prairie du SacTown of Prairie du Sac

• Town of TroyTown of Troy• Sauk County Land and Water Conservation Sauk County Land and Water Conservation

DepartmentDepartment• Sauk County UW-ExtensionSauk County UW-Extension

• Center for Watershed Science and EducationCenter for Watershed Science and Education

Questions?Questions?

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