Tips for Managing Your Water Quality and Private Water System YOUR NAME HERE, Volunteer Virginia Master Well Owner Network

Today’s Presentation Virginia Household Water Quality Program Virginia Master Well Owner Network How to care for your private water system Well location, protection, and construction Well maintenance and care Drinking water regulations – How much is too much? Water testing – What’s in your water? Dealing with water problems 2

What is the VAHWQP? Established in 1989 County-based Drinking Water Clinics  Coordinated with local Extension Agents  Kickoff Meeting  Homeowners collect sample; samples analyzed at VT lab  Interpretation Meeting: test results and advice for dealing with water problems provided The Virginia Master Well Owner Network 3

Virginia Master Well Owner Network (VAMWON) Includes extension agents and volunteers Training workshops across VA Groundwater basics Proper well location, construction and maintenance Land use impacts Water testing Solving water problems Education and outreach ideas 4 VAMWON volunteer outreach: Fairs and home shows Speak to church or civic groups One-on-one conversations with neighbors and friends Write an article for local paper Help with drinking water clinic

Proper well location Well should be at least: ◦ 5 feet from property boundary ◦ 10 feet from building foundation (50 feet if termite treated) ◦ 50 feet from road ◦ 50 feet from sewers and septic tanks ◦ 100 feet from pastures, on-lot sewage system drainfields, cesspools or barnyards Upslope from potential contamination Not in an area that receives runoff 5 Photo credit: Swistock, Penn State Univ

Proper well construction Contract a licensed driller: ◦ Valid Class A, B or C contractor license with WWP (Water Well and Pump) classification Well casing ◦ Minimum of 20’ for bored, 50 – 100’ deep for drilled, depending on class of well ◦ Extends 12” above ground Grouting to a minimum of 20’ Sanitary well cap or sealed concrete cover Ground slopes away from well 6 12” Photo credits: SAIF Water Wells ; Penn State University

Well Maintenance Tips Do not use fertilizers, pesticides, oil, or paint around well Keep area around well clean and accessible Keep careful records ◦ original contract, water test results and any maintenance or repair information Every year: ◦ Conduct thorough visual inspection of well ◦ Check cap for cracks, wear and tear, tightness Every 10 years have well inspected by a qualified professional (with WWP classification) 7

Private Water Supply Regulations 8 Virginia Private Well Regs o Specify application, inspection and construction requirements o No requirements for maintenance or water testing after construction of well – responsibility of the owner! EPA National Drinking Water Standards o Apply to PUBLIC systems o Primary (health) and Secondary (nuisance) o Can be used as guidance for private systems to know “how much is too much”

EPA Drinking Water Standards Primary Standards Also called Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Cause health problems Enforced for public systems Over 80 contaminants For example: o Nitrate o Lead o Coliform o Most organic chemicals and pesticides Secondary Standards Also called SMCL or RMCL Cause aesthetic problems: o Staining o Taste o Odor Can naturally occur in ground water About 15, including: o Iron o Fluoride o Chloride 9

Testing water quality Why test? ◦ Protect family’s health and safety ◦ Many contaminants undetectable by human senses ◦ Preventive measures often more effective and less expensive ◦ Legal protection When to test? ◦ Routine tests every 1-3 years ◦ Pregnant woman or infant in the home ◦ Recurring gastrointestinal illness ◦ Change in taste, appearance, odor of water ◦ Any services or repairs are done 10

What should I test for? Every year test for coliform bacteria ◦ Simple, inexpensive test (<$40) ◦ 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 11 Residential Development Bacteria Nitrates Sediment Lawn Chemicals

How do I test my water? Participate in a VAHWQP drinking water clinic ◦ List of 2013 clinics: Choose a certified laboratory ◦ List available at Use containers provided and follow directions ◦ Sample bottles often contain fixers- do not rinse ◦ Be aware of time requirements to get samples to lab 12

Understanding test results Most 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 ◦ Bacteria ◦ Radon, hardness, pH Compare to EPA standards: ppm = about 4 drops in a 55 gallon barrel!

Options for problem water 1. If possible, control the source of pollution ◦ Divert runoff from well, maintain septic system 2. Improve maintenance of water system ◦ Install sanitary well cap, slope the ground 3. Treat the water to reduce contaminant concentration ◦ Match the treatment option to the pollutant ◦ Consult a professional 4.Develop a new source of water ◦ Deeper well, develop spring, connect to public water

Treatment Considerations Be sure to explore ALL of your options Always have water tested by a certified lab Be aware of dishonest businesses – look for NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) and WQA (Water Quality Association) certifications, consult BBB If it sounds too good to be true…it probably is! Point of Use (POU) vs. Point of Entry (POE) Weigh benefits and limitations of device ◦ Cost ◦ Maintenance ◦ Warranty 15

Interested in learning more? Come to a drinking water clinic Join the Virginia Master Well Owner Network! ◦ Learn more about your own water system and how to protect your water quality ◦ Help others by sharing this information ◦ Apply today at: ◦ At VAMWON training workshop:  Free water conservation devices for home and garden  Resource binder  Presentations and activities with water experts 16

17 Erin Ling, Coordinator Virginia Household Water Quality Program Virginia Master Well Owner Network Website: Ph: YOUR NAME HERE, Volunteer Virginia Master Well Owner Network

Resources Virginia Cooperative Extension household water quality: nrem-wq-hwq Virginia Cooperative Extension Offices: Virginia Department of Health/Private Well Regulations: EPA private wells site: National Groundwater Association Well Owner: National Sanitation Foundation: Water Quality Association: Consumer Reports or Better Business Bureau: OR 18

Spring Management Tips 19 Make sure spring box is sealed to prevent insects, animals, and surface water from entering Fence livestock out of stream catchment area Disinfect springs after construction and test annually for bacteria

Cistern Management Tips 20 Make sure cistern is constructed properly to ensure it is the proper size to meet your water demands. A minimum of 5,000 gallons is recommended. All cisterns require treatment. Most rely on rainwater that can be extremely corrosive to plumbing systems Water should be disinfected before it is consumed

The Finished Product – Drilled Well 21

The Finished Product – Bored Well 22