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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
    Ground water & Well Contamination
    Drinking Water from Household Wells
    What Is Ground Water, How Is It Polluted
    Where Do Water Pollutants Come From
    Naturally Occurring Pollution Sources
    Private Well Contaminant Concerns
    Pollution due to Humans
    Level of Risk of Water Contamination
    Six Steps to Well Water Safety
    Protecting Ground Water From Contaminants
    1. How To Spot Well ContaminationProblems
    2. Well Water Test Strategy
    Reasons to Test Well Water
    3. Understanding Water] Test Results
    4. Well Construction and Maintenance
    5. Talk With Local Water Experts
    6. Fix Well Water Contamination Problems
    More Information on Well Water
    Well Water Definitions
  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

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How to Understand Water Test Results for Household Wells
WaterAPedia ^©

- ground water pollution prevention, well water testing, well water safety, US EPA advice part 13

Sources of ground water pollution of drinking water & wells
Health concerns about water pollution
Levels of risk due to water contaminants
Steps to improve well water safety
Protecting ground water
How to correct ground water contamination

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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.

3. Understanding Your [Water] Test Results

Have your well water tested for any possible contaminants in your area. Use a state-approved testing lab. (See below for sources of approved laboratories.) Do not be surprised if a lot of substances are found and reported to you.

The amount of risk from a drinking water contaminant depends on the specific substance and the amount in the water. The health of the person also matters.

Some contaminant cause immediate and severe effects. It may take only one bacterium or virus to make a weak person sick.

Another person may not be affected. For very young children, taking in high levels of nitrate over a relatively short period of time can be very dangerous.

Many other contaminants pose a long-term or chronic threat to your health - a little bit consumed regularly over a long time could cause health problems such as trouble having children and other effects.

EPA drinking water rules for public water systems aim to protect people from both short and long term health hazards. The amounts of contaminants allowed are based on protecting people over a lifetime of drinking water. Public water systems are required to test their water regularly before delivery.

They also treat it so that it meets drinking water standards, notify customers if water does not meet standards and provide annual water quality reports.

Compare your well's test results to federal and state drinking water standards. (You can find these standards at www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791.) In some cases, the laboratory will give a very helpful explanation. But you may have to rely on other experts to aid you in understanding the results.

The following organizations may be able to help:
[See this non-EPA document which offers much more detail:

Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results and Correcting Unsatisfactory Drinking Water, - not an EPA site
and also see
WATER CONTAMINANT LEVELS
Table of Allowable Water Contaminant Limits
-DF]

The state agency that licenses water-well contractors can help you understand your test results. It will also provide information on well construction and protection of your water supply. The agency is usually located in the state capital or other major city. It is often part of the department of health or environmental protection. Check the blue "government pages" of your local phone book or call the American Ground Water Trust at (614) 761- 2215 or the EPA Hotline at (800) 426-4791 for your licensing agency's phone number.
The local health department and agricultural agents can help you understand the test results. They will have information on any known threats to drinking water in your area. They can also give you suggestions about how to protect your well water.
The state drinking water program can also help. You can compare your well's water to the state's standards for public water systems. State programs are usually located in the state capital or another major city. They are often part of the department of health or environmental regulation. Again, consult the blue "government pages" in your local phone book for the address and phone number or call or the EPA Hotline - (800) 426-4791.
The Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791, mentioned above - can help in many ways. The Hotline can provide a listing of contaminants public water systems must test for. EPA also has copies of health advisories prepared for specific drinking water contaminants. The EPA Hotline staff can explain the federal regulations that apply to public water systems. They compare your lab results to the federal standards. In addition, they can give you the phone number and address of your state drinking water program, and of your state laboratory certification officer. That officer can send you a list of approved labs in your area.

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

More Information on Water Testing, Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, and Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

Drinking Water Supply, Contamination Levels, Water Testing Procedures

Drinking Water testing, contamination, correction - all topics
Drinking Water Testing Advice for home buyers home owners home inspectors
Choices of Water Tests & Fees: A Summary of Types of Water Tests, Degrees of Comprehensive Water Testing, Details of Water Test Parameters
Cheating on water tests: Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - make sure your water test is valid
Drinking Water Contamination and Pollution How to Detect, Test, Correct, and Prevent Well Water Contamination - US EPA - Groundwater
Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results what the results mean and what to do about them
Correcting Unsatisfactory Water what to do, when to do it, treatment alternatives, equipment, filters, etc.
Water Treatment for Contamination, Hardness, Odors, Sediment, Etc: choices of systems, recommendations
Drinking Water Contaminant Levels - Maximum Allowed
How to Reduce Lead Contamination in Drinking Water: how to test & correction lead in drinking water
Lead Contamination from Water Supply Lines/Entry Mains, Lead Testing & Correcting Contamination from - Lead Pipe Problems/Advice
Extreme Lead Poisoning Symptoms Suggested by Feb 2006 NY Times Article on Kosovo Roma Camps
When and How to Shock or Chlorinate a Well - Procedure for Shocking a Well to (temporarily or maybe longer) "Correct" Bacterial Contamination
Water Requirements, Home & Outdoor Living
Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipmentt
The Septic System Information Website - Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Alternatives for on-site waste disposal
Sewage or Septic contamination in buildings - Investigation, Testing and Remediation

Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipment

Water pressure tanks - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety.
Diagnosing Clogged Drains: Is it a blocked drain or the septic system? - A First Step for Homeowners
Water Requirements, Home & Outdoor Living
Drinking Water Contamination, Testing, Well Sanitation, Water Tests

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CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigation Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

03/27/2008 - 12/31/2002 www.inspect-ny.com/water/Water_Pollution_37.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