wells and water quality

Get your well water tested regularly to check for contaminants, then choose the proper filtration system.

All's not well: Homes that rely on well water may be exposed to toxins, according to a government report.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—A United States Geological Survey (USGS) report released Friday found that 20 percent of household wells sampled across the country contain at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern. Nitrates and pesticides used in agriculture and on lawns, radon, arsenic, bacteria and viruses, and volatile organic compounds were among the 219 properties and contaminants tested for and found during the study.

THE DETAILS: Researchers sampled 2,100 wells in 48 states from 1991 to 2004. Samples from the Midwest cornbelt and California’s Central Valley often contained levels of nitrates that exceeded federal safe drinking-water standards because of intense chemical fertilizer use. Other manmade contaminants, including herbicides, insecticides, solvents, by-products of disinfectants, and gasoline chemicals were detected at lower concentrations. Testing for bacteria found that more than 30 percent of the 400 wells tested for this type of contamination contained E. coli bacteria.

WHAT IT MEANS: About 43 million people—that’s 15 percent of the U.S population—rely on private well water. If you’re one of those people, don’t panic. But do test your water regularly, says Cliff Treyens, public awareness director for the National Ground Water Association. “Even if it tastes good, there are things you can’t see, taste, or smell in your water that could be harmful.”

Take these steps to ensure safer well water:

• Test often. Have your well water tested once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and contaminants of local concern, or right away if you notice a change in your water’s color, odor, or taste. Call your local or state public health officials to find out what contaminants are relevant to your area. If you live near chemical farmers, you’ll want to make sure your test includes nitrate and pesticide readings. If you live in an area where radon is a concern, test for that. Keep in mind that land once used for chemical-based farming can retain contaminants for years after the farming stops.

Other reasons to test include a broken well cap, or contamination on your or your neighbor’s property. If someone in your household is suffering from recurrent gastrointestinal sickness, have a test done right away to make sure your water’s up to snuff.

• Test with the best. Lesley Desimone, hydrologist with the USGS, suggests people look for certified testing laboratories through their state’s environmental protection or health agency. The Environmental Protection Agency links to a list of these state agencies from their site. Look for companies that are certified to test water quality for public water systems.