Erin James

Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering

Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training

October 29-30, 2008

Harrisonburg Virginia

Water Quality Contaminants of Concern

OverviewGeneral recommendations of VAHWQP and

VAMWONEPA public drinking water standardsGeneral water quality indicatorsSpecific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landusesSpecific contaminants common in VA

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General VAHWQP RecommendationsTest every year for bacteriaTest every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutantsTest before new nearby activity - legal protection!Test if there are infants or people with

compromised immune systems in your homeTest if change in odor, appearance or tasteAlways recommend testing through a certified lab

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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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http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html

General Water Quality IndicatorsIndicator Acceptable Limit Indication

Coliform bacteria < I coliform/100 ml Possible bacterial or viral contamination from human or animal waste

pH 6.5 to 8.5 Important overall measure of water quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and solubility of contaminants.Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures, metallic tasteHigh pH: water has slippery feel, soda taste

Total dissolved solids

500 mg/L Dissolved metals, like iron or manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste or staining.

5Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

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)

Coliform Bacteria

Cannot be smelled, tasted or seenColiform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means disease-causing bacteria may be present

Public standard is 0 cfu/100mLIf present, test for fecal coliform or

E. coli presence – strong indicator that sewage or animal waste is present.

7Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

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)

Nuisance problems

9http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

Nuisance problems

10Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

Nuisance problems

11Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

Tests for Specific Contamination

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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, fecal streptococcus, 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)

Conditions or nearby activities of concernConditions or Nearby Activities Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored Colors, detergents

13Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

Most common contaminants in Virginia

Iron and manganeseBacteriaHardnessCorrosive and Scaling WaterHydrogen SulfideNitrateSodiumTDSFluoride

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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 bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn, forming red-brown or black-brown slime

15http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

BacteriaColiform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

Sources:Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wellsFlooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

Laboratory test:EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mLReported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)

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HardnessHard water contains high levels of calcium and

magnesium ionsDissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

Not a health risk – nuisanceDecreased cleaning action of soaps, detergentsScale build-up in pipes and on appliancesReduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

No EPA standard for public systems

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Hardness Rating Grains per Gallon Mg/L

Soft Less than 1.0 Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard 1.0-3.5 17.1-60

Moderately Hard 3.5-7.0 60-120

Hard 7.0-10.5 120-180

Very Hard Over 10.5 Over 180

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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

18http://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 Water: Metals of concernLead

Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (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!

CopperHigh levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitiveEPA MCL is 1.3 mg/LNuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L

20http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

Hydrogen SulfideColorless gas; rotten egg smellNot regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levelsNaturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil

fieldsProduced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health

risk)Treatment depends on concentration, so you must testOnly noticeable in hot water?

Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod21

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Nitrate (NO3)Serious health concern for infants

Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome” Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms

methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen) EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate) If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants

under 6 months

Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewageNO3 dissolves and moves easily through soilTest in spring months; levels change over timeNOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!

22http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

Sodium and ChlorideLow levels occur naturallyHigher levels usually from man-made source

Road salt storage or application Industrial waste Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/LChloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/LHigher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicalsSalty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and

water heaters

23http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

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/L

24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

FluorideOccurs naturally in varying levels

Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

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 years

25http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

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

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