Erin James
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
Water Quality Contaminants of Concern
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Sources of potential contaminants or issues of concern
pH/corrosivity hardness
nitratefluoride
TDS
iron
manganesesulfate
chloride
sodium
Surface water contamination: nitrate, bacteria
Source may be plumbing materials or existing water treatment device:sodiumcopperleadbacteria
Often found in groundwater naturally, may be due to man’s activities on or below ground:
well
Testing water qualityWhy test?
Protect family’s health and safetyMany contaminants undetectable by human sensesPreventive measures often more effective and less
expensiveLegal protection
When to test?Routine tests every 1-3 yearsPregnant woman or infant in the homeRecurring gastrointestinal illnessChange in taste, appearance, odor of waterAny services or repairs are done
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What should I test for?Every year test for coliform bacteria
Simple, inexpensive test ($15-20)Indicates possible contamination from human or animal
waste
Every three years test:pH (secondary std: 6.5 – 8.5)Total Dissolved Solids (TDS; secondary std 500 mg/L) Other contaminants based on local land uses nearby
and condition of water
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Understanding test resultsMost results provided as concentrations:
mg/L (milligrams per liter) ≈ ppm (parts per million)
µg/L = (micrograms per liter) ≈ ppb (parts per billion)
Other units unique to test
Radon, hardness, pH
Compare to EPA standards: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html
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Private Water Supply Regulations
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• Virginia Private Well Regulationso Specify application, inspection and
construction requirementso No requirements for maintenance or
water testing after construction of well – responsibility of the owner!
• EPA National Drinking Water Standards
o Apply to PUBLIC systemso Primary (health) and Secondary
(nuisance)o Can be used as guidance for private
systems to know “how much is too much”
EPA Drinking Water StandardsPrimary Standards• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)• Cause health problems• Enforced for public systems• Over 80 contaminants• For example:
o Nitrateo Leado Coliformo Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
Secondary StandardsAlso called SMCL or RMCLCause aesthetic problems:
o Stainingo Tasteo Odor
Can naturally occur in ground water
About 15 contaminants including:o Iron o Fluoride o Chloride
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Tests for Specific Health Concerns
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Situation Recommended Tests
Family members or guests with recurring incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
Household plumbing contains lead pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass
pH, corrosion index, lead, copper, cadmium, zinc
Household with pregnant woman or young infant
Coliform bacteria, nitrate
Family member on recommended low-sodium diet
Sodium
Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)
Tests based on nearby land use
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If you suspect or observe Recommended Tests
Leaking fuel tank Hydrocarbon scan
Coal mining TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity, manganese, aluminum
Gas or oil drilling TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead, pH, corrosivity, strontium
Road salt storage or application TDS, chloride, sodium
Landfill or dump TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand, VOC scan, heavy metals
Land application of sludge Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals
Septic system Fecal coliform/E. coli, nitrate, surfactants
Intensive agricultural use Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan, pH, TDS
Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)
Nuisance Problems
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Symptom Description Recommended Tests
Stained plumbing fixtures
Red or brownReddish-brown slimeBlackGreen or BlueChalky white
IronIron bacteriaManganeseCopper Hardness
Off-color water CloudyBlackBrown or yellow
Turbidity, suspended solidsHydrogen sulfide, MnIron, tannic acid
Unusual taste or odor Rotten eggMetallicSaltySeptic, musty, earthyAlkali, bitter Gasoline or oilSoapy
Hydrogen sulfidepH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, PbTDS, chloride, sodiumColiform, methanepH, TDSHydrocarbon scanSurfactants or detergents
Corrosive water Deposits, pitting of plumbing
Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead
Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)
If Coliform Bacteria are PRESENTDon’t panic!Recommend RETEST
Use certified lab Follow with test for E. Coli bacteria
Take this as an opportunity to examine well or spring for damage or needed improvements
Consider shock chlorinationLong term treatment options: ozonation, UV
light, continuous chlorination
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If E. Coli Bacteria are PRESENTTake immediate steps to addressShock chlorinateRetest waterIn the meantime, consider boiling for at least 3
minutes or use another source of water for drinking or cooking
Check for potential contamination sources, examine well or spring
Consider long-term treatment options: UV light, ozonation, continuous disinfection
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Nitrate (NO3-N)Serious health concern for infants < 6 mo
Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”
Nitrate nitrite during digestion and blood cannot carry oxygen
Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil
Test in spring months; levels change over time
BOILING INCREASES concentration of nitrates!!!
Treatment: distillation, reverse osmosis, ion exchange
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pH
Measure of whether a substance is acidic or alkaline
Scale: 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline)
pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than pH of 7 (logarithmic scale)
Good indicator of general water quality
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2
3
4
5
6
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0
8
9
10
12
11
14
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more acidic
more alkaline
Neutral
Lemon juice
Vinegar
Recommended pH range 6.5 – 8.5
Milk
Battery acid
Ammonia
Milk of magnesia
Baking sodaSea water
Lye
Distilled water
Coffee
Bleach
Gastric acid
Corrosive and Scaling WaterMeasure of alkalinity, TDS, and pHCorrosive (aggressive) water
Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pittingLeaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health concern!EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive
Scaling water Contains high levels of mineralsForms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime deposits
on shower heads and tapsCan lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters and
appliances
16http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm
Corrosive and Scaling WaterUsually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often
reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
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Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)
Description Recommendation
-5 to -3 Severe corrosion Treatment recommended
-3 to -1 Moderate corrosion Consider treatment
1- to 1 Balanced Treatment not needed
1 to 3 Moderate scaling Consider treatment
3 to 5 Severe scaling Treatment recommended
Corrosive WaterAlso called aggressive water
Corrodes metal plumbing – can leach metals, causes pitting and leaks, reduces length of appliance life
Most commonly caused by low pH; other contributing factors include alkalinity, temperature, TDS levels
EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive
Excess copper or lead in drinking water is a health concern
Depending on pH, treat with acid neutralizing filter or soda ash injection
18http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/wtprimer/corrosion/corrosion.html
Corrosive Water: Metals of concernLead
Many serious health effects, especially in children and infants Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal
EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with a health action level of 15 µg/L. Sources include:
Pipes in older homes (pre-1930) Solder in homes built prior to 1986 “Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!
Copper High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps; infants and
children particularly sensitive EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
19http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg
Hardness/Scaling
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Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ionsDissolved into water during contact with
limestone and other mineralsNot a health risk – nuisance
Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergentsScale build-up in pipes and on appliancesReduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters
No EPA standard for public systemsTreat using water softener
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as it
travels over and under groundTDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm diaNatural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other mineralsMan-made sources:
Septic systems and sewageRun off from agricultural or urban landRoad salt, industrial sources
General indicator of water quality; test at least every three years
EPA SMCL is 500 mg/LTreat using distillation or reverse osmosis
21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids
FluorideOccurs naturally in varying levels
Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater (3-6 mg/L)
Added to many public water systems for reduced dental caries and strong teeth and bones
Health concerns: Long term exposure: links to bone cancerShorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis
EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/LOptimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/LLimited use for children up to 8 yearsTreatment (reverse osmosis) removes ALL fluoride
22http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis
Sodium and ChlorideLow levels occur naturally; high levels usually from
man-made sourceRoad salt storage or application
Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
WATER SOFTENER
Sodium: EPA MCL for those onlow-sodium diets: 20 mg/L
Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria or other contaminants
Salty taste; increased corrosion of pipes and water heaters
Treat using distillation, reverse osmosis, demineralization
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Iron and ManganeseNuisance - not health concernSMCL: Iron = 0.3 mg/L Manganese = 0.05 mg/LRed-brown/black staining, particles,
metallic tasteTreatment depends on type/form of iron
Ferrous: water initially clear orange-brown or black solid particles
Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has a tint
Iron/Manganese bacteria: not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn, forming red-brown or black-brown slime
Treatment: water softener, aeration and filtration, ozonation, distillation
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Hydrogen SulfideColorless gas; rotten egg smellNot regulated by EPA – people can detect low levelsNaturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil fieldsSulfur-reducing bacteria produce (not a health risk)Treatment depends on concentration, so must testOnly noticeable in hot water?
Bacteria could be thriving in your water heaterSulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your
water heater during a reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
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What do you recall about…..Iron and manganeseBacteriaHardnessCorrosive and Scaling WaterHydrogen SulfideNitrateSodiumTDSFluoride
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