Rockingham County Drinking Water Clinic Interpretation Meeting Cristin Sprenger and Amber Vallotton Virginia Cooperative Extension Erin Ling and Brian Benham Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Cooperative Extension

1
Rockingham CountyDrinking Water
ClinicInterpretation MeetingCristin Sprenger
and Amber VallottonVirginia Cooperative
ExtensionErin Ling and Brian BenhamVirginia
Tech Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia
Cooperative Extension
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Private Water Supplies in Virginia

• 1.7 million Virginians rely on wells, springs or
  cisterns (22 of the population)
• In the U.S. municipal water supplies are
  regulated by the EPA under the Safe Drinking
  Water Act private supplies are not!
• Homeowners relying on private water supplies
• Are responsible for all aspects of water system
  management
• May lack knowledge and resources to effectively
  manage
• Usually dont worry about maintenance until
  problems arise
• Groundwater is a shared resource our actions
  can affect others water supplies too!

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How does water move to my well?(Bedrock/drilled
well)

• In a bedrock well, groundwater moves through
  fractures, or cracks in the bedrock
• Water can come from many different directions,
  depths, and sources into one well
• It can take water hours, days, or years to move
  through to bedrock
• Well casing extends through loose overburden
  and into the bedrock, where an open borehole
  continues underground
• Water can come from any fractures that intersect
  the open borehole

4
Proper well location and construction

• At least 50-100 and upslope from contamination
  sources
• Not in an area that receives runoff
• Ground slopes away from well
• Well casing at least 12 above ground
• Grout seal around casing (have checked by a well
  driller)
• Sanitary well cap (drilled well) or sealed
  concrete cover (bored well)

Photo credits SAIF Water Wells Penn State
University
5
The Finished Product Drilled Well
Sealed, sanitary well cap
Casing extending gt12 above ground surface
Ground sloping away from casing
Grout seal
http//www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/06
-117.htm
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Well Maintenance Tips

• Do not use fertilizers, pesticides, oil, or paint
  near well
• Keep area around well clean and accessible
• Keep careful records
• original contract, water test results and any
  maintenance or repair information
• Every year
• Conduct thorough visual inspection of well
• Check cap for cracks, wear and tear, tightness
• Every 1-3 years have well inspected by a
  qualified professional (with WWSP classification)

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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, including
• Iron
• Sulfate
• 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, relatively inexpensive test
• 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
• Hardness, pH
• Compare to EPA standards http//www.epa.gov/safew
  ater/contaminants/index.html

How much? 4 drops of ink in a 55 gallon barrel
of water results in an ink concentration of 1
mg/L or ppm!
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Household water quality is complex!
Photo credits Penn State Univ.,
http//www.banthebagspdx.com/?p283, USGS
http//www.clker.com/clipart-puzzle-pieces-2.html
http//levahnbros.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/coppe
r-pipe-leak/ http//www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-6
70/442-670.html
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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
Where a contaminant comes from affects how we can
deal with it!
Some are found in groundwater naturally, either
due to human activities on or below ground
arsenic
TDS
sodium
iron
chloride
hardness
pH/corrosivity
fluoride
sulfate
nitrate
manganese
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Options for problem water

• 1. If possible, control the source of pollution
• Divert runoff, maintain septic system
• 2. Improve maintenance of water system
• Install sanitary well cap, slope the ground
• 3. Treat the water to reduce contaminant
  concentration
• Match the treatment option to the pollutant
• Consult a professional
• 4. Develop a new source of water
• Deeper well, develop spring, connect to
  public water

http//static.howstuffworks.com/gif/septic-tank-cl
eaning-1.jpg, http//www.shipewelldrilling.com/Pic
tures/well_drilling_rig.jpg, http//www.clearflow.
ca/REVERSE_OSMOSIS2.jpg
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Treatment Considerations

• Be sure to explore ALL of your options
• Always have water tested by a certified lab
• Look for National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and
  Water Quality Association (WQA) certifications,
  consult Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Point of Use (POU) vs. Point of Entry (POE)
• If it sounds too good to be true, it is! E.g.,
  magnets
• Weigh benefits and limitations of a device
• Cost
• Maintenance requirements
• Warranty

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Rockingham Questionnaire Results (n81)
Problems experienced with water reporting
Staining of fixtures, appliances, laundry 32.1
Presence of particles 13.6
Objectionable odor 8.6
Unpleasant taste 4.9
Unnatural color or appearance 7.4
Corrosion of pipes and plumbing fixtures 4.9
Sources of potential contamination reporting
Stream (lt 100) 6.2
Septic (lt 100) 4.9
Oil Tank (lt100) 4.9
Field crop operation (lt 1/2 mile) 64.2
Major farm animal operation (lt 1/2 mile) 67.9
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SAMPLE Test Report
Test Household Water Sample Maximum Recommended Level or Range
Iron (mg/L) ND 0.3
Manganese (mg/L) 0.073 0.05
Hardness (mg/L) 44.7 180
Sulfate (mg/L) 1.2 250
Fluoride (mg/L ND 2
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 84.5 500
pH 5.8 6.5 to 8.5
Sodium (mg/L) 8.1 20
Nitrate-N (mg/L) ND 10
Total Coliform Bacteria Present Absent
E. Coli Bacteria Absent Absent
First Draw Data
Arsenic (mg/L) ND 0.01
Copper (mg/L) 1.1 1.3
Lead (mg/L) 0.007 0.015
Flush Data
Arsenic (mg/L) ND 0.01
Copper (mg/L) ND 1.3
Lead (mg/L) ND 0.015
exceeds recommended level
ND not detected by instrument may be expressed
as gt0.001
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2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81)
Test Std Ave Max/Extreme Exceeding Std
Iron (mg/L) 0.3 0.04 0.42 2.5
Manganese (mg/L) 0.05 0.005 0.27 2.5
Hardness (mg/L) 180 138.2 393 39.5
Sulfate (mg/L) 250 13.1 74 0
Fluoride (mg/L) 2.0/4.0 0.17 1.8 0
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 500 379 1057 17.3
pH 6.5 to 8.5 7.3 5.2 3.7 (lt6.5)
pH 6.5 to 8.5 7.3 8.3 0 (gt8.5)
Sodium (mg/L) 20 69.3 294.7 44.4
Nitrate-N (mg/L) 10 3.25 13.79 4.9
Total Coliform Bacteria ABSENT -- -- 51.9(present)
E. Coli Bacteria ABSENT -- -- 7.4(present)
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2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81) 2013 Rockingham Results (n81)
Test Std Ave Max/Extreme Exceeding Std
Copper (mg/L) First Draw 1.0/1.3 0.23 6.80 1.2
Copper (mg/L) Flushed 1.0/1.3 0.021 0.39 0
Arsenic (mg/L) First Draw 0.010 ND ND 0
Arsenic (mg/L) Flushed 0.010 ND ND 0
Lead (mg/L) First Draw 0.015 0.006 0.14 8.6
Lead (mg/L) Flushed 0.015 ND 0.006 0
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Coliform Bacteria

• Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
• Coliform bacteria is an indicator organism
  means disease-causing bacteria may be present
• Public standard is 0 colony forming units
  (cfu)/100 mL (ABSENT)
• If present, test for fecal coliform or E. coli
  presence indicator that sewage or animal waste
  is present.

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

• Dont panic!
• Examine well for pathways surface water can enter
  well (cracks in casing), make sure sanitary well
  cap is installed and secure, ground slopes away
  from well, etc.
• Consider shock chlorination
• Retest after shock chlorination
• Long term treatment options ozonation, UV light,
  continuous chlorination

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If E. Coli Bacteria are PRESENT

• Take immediate steps to address
• Shock chlorinate
• Retest water
• In the meantime, consider boiling or use another
  source of water for drinking or cooking
• Check for potential contamination sources
• Consider long-term treatment options UV light,
  ozonation, continuous disinfection

http//www.kimicontrol.com/microorg/escherichia_co
li.jpg
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pH

• Measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a
  substance (0 14) scale
• Logarithmic scale pH 5 is 100 times more
  acidic than pH 7
• Good indicator of general water quality

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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 mg/L with a health action level of
  0.015 mg/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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Addressing Lead or Copper in Water

• Options to consider
• Discuss test results with your physician if
  concerned!
• Metals will be highest with corrosive water and
  contact time with pipes. Flushing pipes may
  address problem. Make sure that water runs until
  it is as cold as it gets before drinking
• Activated carbon filter (e.g. Brita)
• MAKE SURE IT IS LABELED TO REMOVE LEAD
• MAKE SURE TO CHANGE AS DIRECTED
• Address corrosivity of water if pH lt 6.5, can
  use acid neutralizing filter however,
  corrosivity can be caused by other factors as
  well
• Reverse Osmosis
• Use another source of water known to be safe

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Nitrate (NO3-N)
http//wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

• Serious health concern for infants
• Methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome
• Nitrate ? nitrite during digestion and blood
  cannot carry oxygen
• MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N or 45 mg/L of NO3
• If 3-5 mg/L, use do not use water for infants
  under 6 months
• 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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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

Hardness Rating Grains per Gallon mg/L
Soft Less than 1.0 Less than 17.1
Slightly-Moderately Hard 1.0-7.0 17.1-120
Hard 7.0-10.5 120-180
Very Hard Over 10.5 Over 180
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Sodium

• Low levels occur naturally high levels may
  be from man-made source
• Road salt storage or application
• Industrial waste
• Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
• WATER SOFTENER
• Sodium EPA recommendation for people on
  low-sodium diets 20 mg/L
• Consider other sources of salt in diet and
  discuss with Dr.
• Higher levels may indicate contamination test
  for bacteria or other contaminants
• Salty taste and may accelerate 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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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
• 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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Iron and Manganese

• Nuisance - not health concern
• SMCL Iron 0.3 mg/L Mn 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 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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Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
Workshop
Learn more about your water!
Help Others!

• Want to learn more about
• your private water supply?
• Visit www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu
• TRAINING WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD IN 2014
• Contact Erin Ling
• wellwater_at_vt.edu
• 540-231-9058

Apply today!
Free Resource Binder!
33
Cristin Sprenger (cristinc_at_vt.edu) Amber
Vallotton (avallott_at_vt.edu) Virginia Household
Water Quality Program Virginia Master Well Owner
Network Erin Ling (wellwater_at_vt.edu) Brian
Benham (benham_at_vt.edu) www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu
Email wellwater_at_vt.edu Ph 540-231-9058
34
Resources

• Virginia Household Water Quality Program
  www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu
• Virginia Certified Lab Listing
  http//www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/files/Labslist2013
  .pdf
• EPA Private Wells Site http//www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pr
  ivatewells/whatyoucando.html
• National Groundwater Association Well Owner
  http//www.wellowner.org/
• Water Systems Council Wellcare Hotline
  http//www.wellcarehotline.org/
• National Sanitation Foundation www.nsf.org
• Water Quality Association www.wqa.org
• Consumer Reports or Better Business Bureau
  www.consumerreports.org OR www.bbb.org

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End of slide show. Additional slides follow if
you wish to add them.
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Arsenic

• Occurs naturally in some rocks more common in
  groundwater supplies when water tables rise and
  fall frequently
• Used in wood preservatives, paints, pesticides,
  etc.
• Linked to many types of cancer, stomach pain,
  paralysis, and blindness
• EPA primary standard is 0.010 mg/L
• Reverse osmosis to remove

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Fluoride

• Occurs 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 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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Treatment Options
Primary Problem Treatment Method Notes
Corrosive water, copper, lead, leaks Acid neutralization Uses limestone chips or soda ash to increase water pH and hardness to prevent corrosion
Arsenic, fluoride Activated alumina Water pH must be less than 8.5 Pretreatment with oxidation may be necessary to achieve good arsenic removal
Hydrogen sulfide, methane, volatile organics, radon Aeration Expensive and susceptible to cogging by other pollutants but very effective when multiple gases are present
Sulfate, nitrate, arsenic Anion exchange Increases chloride concentration in treated water. May make water more corrosive.
Chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, radon, miscellaneous tastes and odors, volatile organics Carbon filter Disinfection should be used on water supplies with bacterial contamination because bacteria can multiply in filter. Carbon must be replaced periodically.
Adapted from Tips for Buying Water Treatment
Equipment by Stephanie Clemens and Bryan
Swistock, Penn State University
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Treatment Options
Primary Problem Treatment Method Notes
Bacteria, iron and manganese Chlorination Water must be clear for chlorine to work. Requires tank for storage and contact time.
Removes everything except volatile organics, pesticides, herbicides Distillation Produces small amounts of bland-tasting water. Space needed to store treated water.
Iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide Oxidizing filters Periodic addition of chemicals and backwashing is necessary. Good option when all three are present.
Bacteria, metals, odors, tastes Ozone Expensive to purchase and operate but very effective at removing multiple pollutants.
All dissolved pollutants Reverse osmosis Produces small amounts of water and some waste water. Will not remove most organic pollutants or bacteria
Adapted from Tips for Buying Water Treatment
Equipment by Stephanie Clemens and Bryan
Swistock, Penn State University
40
Treatment Options
Primary Problem Treatment Method Notes
Soil, sand, other particles Sediment filter Must be routinely changed or backwashed
Removes scale or hardness and limited amounts of dissolved iron and manganese Softener Causes increase in water sodium level. Water may become more corrosive after softening.
Bacteria Ultraviolet light Water must be free of sediment to kill bacteria effectively. Change bulb annually.
Adapted from Tips for Buying Water Treatment
Equipment by Stephanie Clemens and Bryan
Swistock, Penn State University