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EPA definitions of drinking water, well, and well contamination terms. This article 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. Definitions - Drinking Water from Household WellsAquifer - An underground formation or group of formations in rocks and soils containing enough ground water to supply wells and springs. Backflow - A reverse flow in water pipes. A difference in water pressures pulls water from sources other than the well into a home's water system, for example waste water or flood water. Also called back siphonage. Bacteria - Microscopic living organisms; some are helpful and some are harmful. "Good" bacteria aid in pollution control by consuming and breaking down organic matter and other pollutants in septic systems, sewage, oil spills, and soils. However, "bad" bacteria in soil, water, or air can cause human, animal, and plant health problems. Confining layer - Layer of rock that keeps the ground water in the aquifer below it under pressure. This pressure creates springs and helps supply water to wells. Contaminant - Anything found in water (including microorganisms, minerals, chemicals, radionuclides, etc.) which may be harmful to human health. Cross-connection - Any actual or potential connection between a drinking (potable) water supply and a source of contamination. Heavy metals - Metallic elements with high atomic weights, such as, mercury chromium cadmium, arsenic, and lead. Even at low levels these metals can damage living things. They do not break down or decompose and tend to build up in plants, animals, and people causing health concerns. Leaching field - The entire area where many materials (including contaminants) dissolve in rain, snowmelt, or irrigation water and are filtered through the soil. Microorganisms - Also called microbes. Very tiny life forms such as bacteria, algae, diatoms, parasites, plankton, and fungi. Some can cause disease. Nitrates - Plant nutrient and fertilizer that enters water supply sources from fertilizers, animal feed lots, manures, sewage, septic systems, industrial wastewaters, sanitary landfills, and garbage dumps. Protozoa - One-celled animals, usually microscopic, that are larger and more complex than bacteria. May cause disease. Radon - A colorless, odorless naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the breakdown or decay of radium or uranium in soil or rocks like granite. Radon is fairly soluble in water, so well water may contain radon. Radionuclides - Distinct radioactive particles coming from both natural sources and human activities. Can be very long lasting as soil or water pollutants. Recharge area - The land area through or over which rainwater and other surface water soaks through the earth to replenish an aquifer, lake, stream, river, or marsh. Also called a watershed. Saturated zone - The underground area below the water table where all open spaces are filled with water. A well placed in this zone will be able to pump ground water. Unsaturated zone - The area above the ground water level or water table where soil pores are not fully saturated, although some water may be present. Viruses - Submicroscopic disease-causing organisms that grow only inside living cells. Watershed - The land area that catches rain or snow and drains it into a local water body (such as a river, stream, lake, marsh, or aquifer) and affects its flow, and the local water level. Also called a recharge area. Water table - The upper level of the saturated zone. This level varies greatly in different parts of the country and also varies seasonally depending on the amount of rain and snowmelt. Well cap - A tight-fitting, vermin-proof seal designed to prevent contaminants from flowing down inside of the well casing. Well casing - The tubular lining of a well. Also a steel or plastic pipe installed during construction to prevent collapse of the well hole. Wellhead - The top of a structure built over a well. Term also used for the source of a well or stream. 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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03/27/2008 - 12/31/2002 www.inspect-ny.com/water/Water_Pollution_50.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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