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If your family gets drinking water from your own well, do you know if your water is safe to drink? What health risks could you and your family face? Where can you go for help or advice? This pamphlet helps answer these questions. It gives you general information about drinking water from home wells (also considered private drinking water sources). It describes types of activities in your area that can create threats to your water supply. It also describes problems to look for and offers maintenance suggestions. Sources for more information and help are also listed. [Editing for clarity by DF are marked by brackets or italics] Initial Source: EPA 816-K-02-003 January 2002 Edits, content addition, & web page design © 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. What are Some Naturally Occurring Sources of [Water] Pollution?Microorganisms: [Water Contamination]Bacteria, viruses, parasites and other microorganisms are sometimes found in water. Shallow wells - those with water close to ground level - are at most risk. Runoff, or water flowing over the land surface, may pick up these pollutants from wildlife and soils. This is often the case after flooding. Some of these organisms can cause a variety of illnesses. Symptoms include nausea and diarrhea. These can occur shortly after drinking contaminated water. The effects could be short-term yet severe (similar to food poisoning) or might recur frequently or develop slowly over a long time. Radionuclides: [Water Contamination]Radionuclides are radioactive elements such as uranium and radium. They may be present in underlying rock and ground water. Radon - a gas that is a natural product of the breakdown of uranium in the soil - can also pose a threat. Radon is most dangerous when inhaled and contributes to lung cancer. Although soil is the primary source, using household water containing Radon contributes to elevated indoor Radon levels. Radon is less dangerous when consumed in water, but remains a risk to health. Nitrates and Nitrites: [Water Contamination]Although high nitrate levels are usually due to human activities (see below), they may be found naturally in ground water. They come from the breakdown of nitrogen compounds in the soil. Flowing ground water picks them up from the soil. Drinking large amounts of nitrates and nitrites is particularly threatening to infants (for example, when mixed in formula). Heavy Metals: [Water Contamination]Underground rocks and soils may contain arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and selenium. However, these contaminants are not often found in household wells at dangerous levels from natural sources. Fluoride: [Water Contamination]Fluoride is helpful in dental health, so many water systems add small amounts to drinking water. However, excessive consumption of naturally occurring fluoride can damage bone tissue. High levels of fluoride occur naturally in some areas. It may discolor teeth, but this is not a health risk. Use links at the left of each page to continue to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links at page left show where you are in our document or website. More expert information on wells, water testing, and contaminants | |
| WATER TESTING WATER TESTING ADVICE SHOULD YOU TEST YOUR WATER? PUBLIC vs PRIVATE WATER WHEN TO TEST WATER TEST COSTS SPECIAL SITUATION TESTS ARSENIC in WATER BACTERIA TEST GUIDE CHEATING on WATER TESTS CHOICES of WATER TESTS CORRECTING BAD WATER Common Water Tests for Bacteria What to Do About Failed Water Tests When & How to Shock or Chlorinate a Well Acting on Unsatisfactory or Contaminated Water EPA GUIDE to WATER QUALITY FHA WATER TESTS REQUIRED LEAD in WATER, ACTION GUIDE LEAD POISONING SYMPTOMS LEAD TEST VARIATION CAUSES ODORS IN WATER SEWAGE CONTAMINATION TOTAL COLIFORM TESTING WATER CONTAMINANT LEVELS WATER TEST RESULTS, ACTION GUIDE WATER TESTING GUIDE WATER TREATMENT GUIDE WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE WATER PUMPS & WELLS WATER QUANTITY GUIDE WATER SOFTENERS WELL SHOCKING GUIDE WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS WATER PRESSURE LOSS WATER TANK TYPES WELL CLEARANCE DISTANCES WELL TYPES WELL, PUMP, TANK LIFE More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure Accuracy & Bias Pledge Contact Us |
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03/28/2008 - 12/31/2002 www.inspect-ny.com/water/Water_Pollution_08.htm - Web page design © 2008 Copyright Daniel Friedman All Rights Reserved; content, less minor edits, is US EPA public document EPA 816-K-02-003 January 2002
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