Should I get the well water tested?
How much is a water test?
The fee is $299 and the results are available in 5 business days. If you're on a well, then it isn't monitored like public water systems. Ecoli, nitrates and arsenic are common contaminates and our test fee covers all of them. Results are expedited due to the time sensitive nature of real estate transactions rather than the standard 10 business days. . . .
What does a standard water test evaluate?
Chloroform Bacteria- Chloroform is a group of micro-organisms that exist in the intestines of all mammals and is present in fecal matter. The presence of chloroform in a well indicates that livestock or human sewage (likely from a septic tank) has contaminated the well. Chloroform ingested can bring on sickness and a variety of health complications.
Nitrates- When nitrogen fertilizers are used to enrich soils, nitrates may be carried by rain, irrigation and other surface waters through the soil into ground water. Human and animal wastes can also contribute to nitrate contamination of ground water. Levels above 10 milliliters is considered contaminated by the EPA and should be addressed.
Arsenic- This poison is a naturally occurring element that is normally present throughout our environment in water, soil, dust, air, and food. Levels of arsenic can vary from place to place due to farming and industrial activity as well as natural geological processes. Levels above .01 per milliliter is considered contaminated by the EPA and should be addressed.
But the well water looks fine!
Many contaminants can exist in your tap water without being detected by your senses. So just because a glass of water looks nice and clear doesn’t mean it’s safe to drink. Most toxins are invisible to the human eye and often do not give off any odor.
What are the signs of a potentially contaminated well?
If one of these issues are present, you might want to have a well tested:
· Nearby livestock
· Older homes that may have had oil heat
· Abandoned houses
· Homes with septic tank issues
· A history of contaminated wells in the area
· Nearby landfill or dry cleaning facility
What are my options if the test comes back positive for contamination?
Treat the Well Water
Many water filters on the market can improve the taste and remove odors from drinking water but do not remove arsenic. Some home water treatment systems that use reverse osmosis, distillation, or special filtration material can reduce the amount of arsenic in the water. These systems vary in cost and the amount of water they can supply every day. Point-of-entry equipment, commonly referred to as a whole-house system, treats all the water used in the house. Point-of-use systems treat water at a single tap, such as a kitchen sink faucet.The quality of your water will affect how well the treatment system works and how much maintenance it will require. We recommend installing equipment that has been certified by NSF International (1-800-673-6275), a not-for-profit public health and safety company that tests home water treatment systems. After installation and routine maintenance, your water should be tested to ensure that the system is removing arsenic.
Drill a New Well
A new well installed at a different location or depth may or may not provide water with acceptable levels of arsenic. However, it is an option that may be worth pursuing in some situations.
Connect to a Public Water Supply or Community Well. It may be possible to connect to a public water supply or community well if one is nearby. These water systems must be maintained regularly and meet federal and state public health standards. Contact your local water utility to ask about the possibility of connecting to a public supply.
Any recommendations of who to call to have the well treated?
Yes, there are solutions! You might try “Water and Air Works”. They are a Vancouver based company that specialize in reverse osmosis, and whole house filtration systems. You can find them on the web at waterandairworks.com. A typical filtration system runs between $2,400 –$4,400.