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Workshop 2Workshop 2Protecting Your Water: Taking the First StepsProtecting Your Water: Taking the First Steps

Hosted by:Hosted by:Lackawanna County Conservation DistrictLackawanna County Conservation District

Sponsored by:Sponsored by:Carbon County Groundwater GuardiansCarbon County Groundwater Guardians

and and B.F Environmental Consultants Inc. B.F Environmental Consultants Inc.

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Project SponsorsProject Sponsors(Providing In(Providing In--kind Support to This Effort)kind Support to This Effort)Carbon County Groundwater Guardianshttp://www.carbonwaters.orghttp://www.private-well-owner.org

BF. Environmental Consultants Inchttp://www.bfenvironmental.comhttp://www.water-research.net

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Carbon County Carbon County Groundwater Guardians Groundwater Guardians

The Carbon County Groundwater Guardians (CCGG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer, environmental education organization which provides homeowners with information on private wells, water quality and quantity, and septic systems

Not an Advocacy Group1. Education2. Fact Based Approach3. Scientific Method4. Target Education of Kids and Families5. Delivery Statewide

Please Support – http://www.carbonwaters.org

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B.F. Environmental B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.Consultants Inc.

Professional Consulting Services in the areas of water quality, soils, stormwater, geology, aquifer analysis, and land-development.Baseline – Chain-of-CustodyExpert TestimonyWater Treatment Process/ Product Developmenthttp://www.bfenvironmental.com

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WaterWater--Research CenterResearch CenterEducation and Outreach Program funded by Education and Outreach Program funded by

B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.

Outreach ProgramsOutreach Programs

Environmental and Professional Education and Training for CitizeEnvironmental and Professional Education and Training for Citizens ns and Local Municipalitiesand Local MunicipalitiesWater Quality Help Guides Water Quality Help Guides –– Information LibraryInformation LibraryCommunity and Business Outreach ProgramsCommunity and Business Outreach ProgramsLow Cost Low Cost –– Informational Water Testing Program with National Informational Water Testing Program with National LaboratoryLaboratoryCitizen Monitoring ProgramsCitizen Monitoring Programs-- Developing Low Cost Water Quality Developing Low Cost Water Quality SensorsSensors

Website: Website: http://www.water-research.net

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Current ProgramsCurrent ProgramsFree Assistance in Reviewing Baseline Data for Private Well OwnersFree Website with Information on Water Quality Problems with Case StudiesEducational Materials and Educational PresentationsTraining Program for Baseline SamplersGo to http://www.water-research.net

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The Health of Your Well WaterThe Health of Your Well Water

Function of Well Construction and PlacementSurrounding Land-useConservation / Your useRegional Land Use

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Keys to a Safe Drinking WaterKeys to a Safe Drinking WaterThe Sanitary Survey- Proper Site LocationState Federal and Local RegulationsTypes of Well Water SourcesWell Drilling and ConstructionInitial Water TestingWell Water Conditioning or TreatmentWell Maintenance

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Sanitary Survey and Sanitary Survey and Drilling Site SelectionDrilling Site Selection

Well Construction Standards

Location of Hazardous Sites or Activities

Impact on SurroundingUsers

Testing and PermittingRequirements

System Monitoring

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Why Test My Water ?Why Test My Water ?

A USGS survey found that 70% of private wells werecontaminated. This contamination could result in acuteor chronic health concerns.

In general, there are no regulations related to wellconstruction, placement, or required testing. It is up toyou to determine the safety of your water.

EPA recommends, at minimum, an annual water test forprivate wells.

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This is Drinking Water in PA?This is Drinking Water in PA?

Iron / Manganese

Bacteria

Sediment / Gases

Corrosion

50% Other50%

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Drinking Water Drinking Water RegulationsRegulations

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), passed in 1974 and amended in 1986 and 1996, gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to set drinking water standards.

These standards are divided into two broad categories: Primary Standards (NPDWR) and Secondary Standards (NSDWR).

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Know What You Have and Make It a Know What You Have and Make It a Point to Document When You CanPoint to Document When You Can

Do you have a well log?How deep is the well?Where is the Pump?How Much Casing in in the Well?What is the Well Yield?Do I have a Treatment System and Why?Something Needs Maintenance?

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You May an IssueYou May an IssueThe top of the well is buried.The well is in a pit.I have a jet pump – i.e., a pump in the basement and not in the well.The well cap is cracked or very loose.

You get dirt water after it rains.I keep failing the bacteria test. Drilled prior to about 1980.

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Evaluate Well Evaluate Well Cap ChangesCap Changes

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A Properly Grouted Well

An UngroutedResidential Well

Source: Pennsylvania State University – Master Well Owner Program -Carbon County Groundwater Guardians (edited by Mr. Brian Oram)http://www.water-research.net

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Is My Well in the Right PlaceIs My Well in the Right PlaceAvoid area were water accumulates.Well should be out of the floodplain or fitted with a sanitary well cap with the casing well above the flood elevation.The well should not be in an area with excessive disturbance.Limit potentially hazardous activities to an area at least 50 to 100 feet from your well.

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Sources of ContaminationSources of ContaminationCauses of Contamination

Improper Waste Disposal

Improper Well Construction

Poor Site Selection

Wells Not Properly Abandoned

Improper Waste Storage

Lack of Information onHazardous Sites or Activities

(Partial Listing)

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What Is Or Has Gone On ?What Is Or Has Gone On ?

Sewage Application

Tanks

Complaints

Gas Well Permits

http://www.emappa.dep.state.pa.us

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Your Well

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What Should I TestWhat Should I Test

The Selection of the Appropriate Testing Parameters Depends on YOUR Water

How does it taste?Do you have odor problems ?Are there any aesthetic problems, such as: color, turbidity, grittiness, or staining ?Where are you located ?What Testing or Type of Testing is Needed?

Wait Do Not Forget Using Your Sensors

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Types of CluesTypes of Clues

Visual Clues Operation Problems Smelly Water

Taste Test

These work well with hardness, iron, Manganese, sulfur, some gases, sediment,Sodium, chloride – but this does not helpwith trace metals, organics, or bacteria

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Taste ProblemsTaste Problems

Salty or Brackish TasteAlkali Taste

Metallic or Bitter Taste

High Sodium

Elevated Hardness or alkalinity

Corrosion, Low pH, highmetallic content (Cu, Fe,Mn, Pb,Al, Zn)

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OdorsOdorsRotten Egg / Musty Odor

Oily

Methane Smell

Chemical/ Solvent

Sulfate, Sulfur,Nuisance BacteriaGasoline, OilContamination orNuisance BacteriaOrganic Material orNatural GasIndustrial Chemicals

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Sediments and StainsSediments and StainsMilky or Cloudy

Precipitation of carbonates / sulfates, excessive air, suspendedsolids, aquifer material

Bluish Green – Green PrecipitatesCopper, hardness, aggressive water and corrosion byproducts, nuisance bacteria

Blackish Tint or Black SlimesReactions with manganese and possibly iron, nuisancebacteria

Yellowish or Reddish Tint or SlimesHumic material, dissolved or precipitated iron, nuisancebacteria

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Impacts Water SupplyImpacts Water SupplyLand-use

Residential (Rural or Urban)IndustrialAgriculturalCommercialUndeveloped Woodland

Water SourceWell, Spring, Cistern, Dug WellWater CharacteristicsGeologyWell Construction and Age

Known Hazards AreasWaste Disposal SitesChemical StorageChemical SpillsUnderground StoragePipelinesSewage and Sludge

Disposal

Surrounding Water UsersWell ConstructionWell SpacingWater WithdrawalRecharge Areas

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Recommendations Recommendations Visual Inspection of Your System and Get a Idea of the Activities in Your Area.Properly Maintain Your On-lot Disposal System.Maintain a log of events or issues with your water. Divert Surfacewater Runoff Away from WellheadIf you have a problem – Fix the Problem – DO NOT Just use a Bandage. If the top of the well is below grade or in a pit, get it fixed. Encourage the development of private well construction standards.

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Components of a WellComponents of a WellWell Cap Electrical Service

Pitless AdapterDrop Pipe

Pump and Motor

Delivery Line

Casing

Driveshoe

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Components of a WellComponents of a Well

Pressure TankTreatmentUs

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Regular MaintenanceRegular MaintenanceAnnual Water TestAnnual Maintenance on Water Treatment SystemsConserve Water/ Fix LeaksProper Use and Storage of Chemicals and other HazardsMaybe install a Rain Barrel or Other Rainwater Collection SystemDo not Pour Hazard Chemicals Down the Drain

Remember We ALL Live Downstream

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SummarySummary

Keys to Safe Drinking Water (Private Well)

Proper Handling of Chemicals and WasteDevelopment of Local StandardsUnderstand Your SourceAnnual Water TestingPublic Education

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Educating the CommunityEducating the CommunityElectronic Copy (pdf) or Link to a copy at http://www.water-research.net

Also:1. New Portal –

http://www.private-well-owner.org

2. New Web-portal on Methane Gas MigrationAnd Mitigation

Help Promote the Citizens Groundwater Surfacewater Database to Your CommunityPartners. Link to:http://www.carbonwaters.org or Pennsylvania Groundwater Forum (facebook)

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Citizen Groundwater Citizen Groundwater Surfacewater DatabaseSurfacewater Database

II. Guidelines for Data Submission

1. Third Party Samplers following chain-of-custody to certified laboratory.2. Submit detailed reports from certified laboratory with a GPS position for the well. 3. The water sample must be collected ahead of any water treatment system.4. other conditions – Our Web Portal.5. Forms available for Laboratory Release of Data.

Learn More –http://www.bfenvironmental.com/pawaters.php

Working Together toTrack Change !

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Certificate of CompletionCertificate of CompletionTraining Event

Taking the First Step – Protecting Your Water7/28/2013

1 – hour PDH or 0.1 CEUSPresented by

Mr. Brian Oram, PG

B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc15 Hillcrest DriveDallas, PA 18612

More Online Training @http://www.bfenvironmental.com

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Workshop 2Workshop 2Protecting Your Water: Taking the First StepsProtecting Your Water: Taking the First Steps

Hosted by:Hosted by:Lackawanna County Conservation DistrictLackawanna County Conservation District

Sponsored by:Sponsored by:Carbon County Groundwater GuardiansCarbon County Groundwater Guardians

and and B.F Environmental Consultants Inc. B.F Environmental Consultants Inc.

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Disclaimer and CopyrightDisclaimer and CopyrightOur company, B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc., accepts no liability for the content of this document, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This document is being provided as an educational and informational tool, but before you take action you should seek advice from a professional. Questions – Please Call – Mr. Brian Oram, 570-335-1947, bfenviro@ptd.net

© 2013 by B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc., but the document with approval may be reproduced in whole, without modification, for an educational purposes. B.F. Environmental Consultant Inc. retains the rights and privileges to this document that we created without funding support.