Water Quality Issues with Water Quality Issues with Wells Wells

Matt Neibauer, Troy Bauder, and Matt Neibauer, Troy Bauder, and Reagan WaskomReagan Waskom

Colorado State UniversityColorado State University

Overview

Identifying Problems / Sampling

Water Quality Considerations

Available Resources

Diagnosing Water Quality Problems

Symptoms:– Taste– Odor– Appearance– Feel

Many problems have none of these symptoms!

Diagnosing Water Quality Problems

How old is the well? How deep is the well? Have neighbors had problems? Do you have a recent water test? Is the well located near:

– Underground storage tanks– Feedlots– Dumps– Leach fields – septic system– Abandoned wells– Mines

Well Constructionand Test Report

Sampling and Lab Testing

Starts with a GOOD water sample

ALL new, prospective, and current well owners should sample well water to get baseline quality!! – And keep records!!!

Complete or routine – pH, TDS, hardness, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, sodium, calcium, magnesium, metals, etc.

Bacteria – fecal coliform, total coliform, and/or E. coli.

Good Sample?

Fresh, chilled

Clean lab bottle preferred

Inside:– Bypass water treatment– Faucet – remove aerator– Flush one minute

Outside:– Nearest hydrant– 10 min. flush

Sample Interval

Annual– Bacteria + nitrate

Five to ten– Complete – pH, TDS, hardness, sulfate, sodium, chloride,

metals Sample interval depends upon:

– Well construction– Well depth– Previous problems– Location – proximity to contaminants

Keep records!!!

Water Quality Considerations – Irrigation for Landscape/Garden/Crops

Salinity – measured by electrical conductivity (E.C.) or T.D.S.

– Reduces water availability to plants

Sodium (Na) adsorption ratio – SAR

– Ratio of Na to Ca – Causes soil structural

problems– Specific plant toxicity

Special Water Quality Considerations

Iron Bacteria: Generally harmless Can cause foul

taste/odor Can cause pumping

problems and well plugging

Sanitation following drilling

Chlorination

Potential Sources of Contamination

Abandoned wells should be properly plugged and sealed

Inspecting Well Casing/Cap/Seal

Older PVC Cap

PVC cap and casing

requires extra attention

Water Quality Considerations – Cisterns & Storage Tanks

Corral / Livestock >50’ Separation

Livestock and wells DON’T mix.Livestock and wells DON’T mix.

Well Pits – pit cover

Well Pits – pit hole

Wells Pits – well cap

DO NOT store ANYTHING in pit that could contaminate the well.

Potential Problems for Wells

Location– Above ground vs. in pit– Aspect of land – slope &

drainage– Potential sources of

contamination– Access

Materials– Age and condition– PVC vs Steel– Cap and seal

Condition– Cracks– Settling– Last service date

Treatment Categories

Physical– Media filters– Sand filters– Reverse Osmosis– Activated carbon

Chemical– Chlorination

Point of EntryPoint of UseBoth

Resourceshttp://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/WQ/

Water Quality Publicationshttp://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/WQ/WQPubs.html

Summary

Diagnosing water quality problems requires observation, proper well sampling, and reputable testing labs.

Identifying and understanding the potential problems associated with new and existing wells is the key to a healthy water supply.

The responsibility of a clean well water supply lies with the home/land owner.

Matt Neibauer: neibauer@colostate.edu (970) 491-5124