Water Quality Contaminants of Concern

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Water Quality Contaminants of Concern
Erin James Virginia Master Well Owner
Network Training
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• Sources of potential contaminants or issues of
  concern

well
Surface water contamination nitrate, bacteria
Source may be plumbing materials or existing
water treatment device sodium copper lead bacteri
a
Often found in groundwater naturally, may be due
to mans activities on or below ground
TDS
sodium
iron
chloride
hardness
pH/corrosivity
fluoride
sulfate
nitrate
manganese
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Testing water quality

• Why test?
• Protect familys health and safety
• Many contaminants undetectable by human senses
• Preventive measures often more effective and less
  expensive
• Legal protection
• When to test?
• Routine tests every 1-3 years
• Pregnant woman or infant in the home
• Recurring gastrointestinal illness
• Change in taste, appearance, odor of water
• Any 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 results

• Most 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/safew
  ater/contaminants/index.html

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Private Water Supply Regulations

• Virginia Private Well Regulations
• Specify application, inspection and construction
  requirements
• No requirements for maintenance or water testing
  after construction of well responsibility of
  the owner!
• EPA National Drinking Water
  Standards
• Apply to PUBLIC systems
• Primary (health) and Secondary (nuisance)
• Can be used as guidance for private systems to
  know how much is too much

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EPA Drinking Water Standards

• Primary Standards
• Also called Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example
• Nitrate
• Lead
• Coliform
• Most organic chemicals and pesticides

• Secondary Standards
• Also called SMCL or RMCL
• Cause aesthetic problems
• Staining
• Taste
• Odor
• Can naturally occur in ground water
• About 15 contaminants including
• Iron
• Fluoride
• Chloride

http//www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.ht
ml
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Tests for Specific Health Concerns
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)
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Tests based on nearby land use
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)
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Nuisance Problems
Symptom Description Recommended Tests
Stained plumbing fixtures Red or brown Reddish-brown slime Black Green or Blue Chalky white Iron Iron bacteria Manganese Copper Hardness
Off-color water Cloudy Black Brown or yellow Turbidity, suspended solids Hydrogen sulfide, Mn Iron, tannic acid
Unusual taste or odor Rotten egg Metallic Salty Septic, musty, earthy Alkali, bitter Gasoline or oil Soapy Hydrogen sulfide pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb TDS, chloride, sodium Coliform, methane pH, TDS Hydrocarbon scan Surfactants 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)
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Coliform Bacteria

• Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
• Coliform bacteria is an indicator organism
  means disease-causing pathogens may be present
  (e.g., Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera,
  Giardia)
• Public standard is 0 colony forming
  units(cfu)/100 mL (ABSENT)
• Sources
• Human and animal waste
• Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
• Flooding older or shallow wells without sanitary
  well cap

Photo credits www.water-research.net,
www.britannica.com
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If Coliform Bacteria are PRESENT

• Dont 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 chlorination
• Long term treatment options ozonation, UV light,
  continuous chlorination

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If E. Coli Bacteria are PRESENT
http//www.kimicontrol.com/microorg/escherichia_co
li.jpg

• Take immediate steps to address
• Shock chlorinate
• Retest water
• In 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)
http//wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

• Serious health concern for infants lt 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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Corrosive and Scaling Water

• Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
• Corrosive (aggressive) water
• Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage,
  pitting
• Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water
  health concern!
• EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive
• Scaling water
• Contains high levels of minerals
• Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances,
  lime deposits on shower heads and taps
• Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency
  of heaters and appliances

http//www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Cor
rosion.jpg www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard
_water.htm
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Corrosive and Scaling Water

• Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
  often reported as a Saturation Index (varies by
  lab)

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
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Corrosive Water

• Also 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

http//www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Cor
rosion.jpg http//www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmenta
l/teach/wtprimer/corrosion/corrosion.html
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Corrosive Water Metals of concern

• Lead
• 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 (lt8) 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

http//www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg
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Hardness/Scaling

• Hard water contains high levels of
  calcium and magnesium ions
• Dissolved into water during contact with
  limestone and other minerals
• Not a health risk nuisance
• Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents
• Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
• Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters
• No EPA standard for public systems
• Treat using water softener

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm
www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

• Water is a great solvent dissolves many
  compounds as it travels over and under ground
• TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities lt
  2µm dia
• Natural sources limestone, salt deposits, other
  minerals
• Man-made sources
• Septic systems and sewage
• Run off from agricultural or urban land
• Road salt, industrial sources
• General indicator of water quality
  test at
  least every three years
• EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
• Treat using distillation or reverse osmosis

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http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solid
s
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Fluoride

• Occurs 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 cancer
• Shorter term exposure dental or skeletal
  fluorosis
• EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
• Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
• Limited use for children up to 8 years
• Treatment (reverse osmosis) removes ALL fluoride

http//www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients
/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis
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Sodium and Chloride

• Low levels occur naturally high levels usually
  from man-made source
• Road 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

/www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg
/www.apswater.com/images/fleck205600.jpg
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Iron and Manganese

• Nuisance - not health concern
• SMCL Iron 0.3 mg/L Manganese 0.05 mg/L
• Red-brown/black staining, particles,
  
  metallic taste
• Treatment 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

http//www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-qual
ity/chemicals/water20in20reddish-brown.jpg
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Hydrogen Sulfide
thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

• Colorless gas rotten egg smell
• Not regulated by EPA people can detect low
  levels
• Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal
  or oil fields
• Sulfur-reducing bacteria produce (not a health
  risk)
• Treatment depends on concentration, so must test
• Only 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 rod

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What do you recall about..

• Iron and manganese
• Bacteria
• Hardness
• Corrosive and Scaling Water
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Nitrate
• Sodium
• TDS
• Fluoride

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Nuisance problems
http//www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_
Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/engli
sh/content.asp?id24
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Nuisance problems
Photo credits www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html,
cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains
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Nuisance problems
Photo credits Midland Corrosion Associates,
www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronat
ion.html, http//www.copper.org/applications/plum
bing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg