Michael Papay, REHS Lee County Environmental Health Private Wells Septic Systems (919)

Private Water Supply Wells

Types of Wells (in Lee County) Dug Bored Drilled

Dug Well Literally “hand dug” Mineralogy from the soil Considered unsafe for drinking water – Not protected from surface water intrusion – No casing – Rock-lined or un-lined walls – Water source very shallow (near ground surface) – Potential to transmit contaminants deeper

Bored Well 20- to 24-inches wide Shallow, max 90 ft. (generally 35-ish) Concrete casing / Tile casing (grout?) Mineralogy from soil (& weathered rock) Often coliform + (= unsafe) – Water source near ground surface – Root intrusion between casing sections – Potential to transmit contaminants deeper

Drilled Well Penetrates consolidated rock Deep (100 – 400 feet, or more) 6-inch casing (steel or PVC) Mineralogy from the rock that holds the water

Lee County Private Water Supply Well Program Permitting & Inspection – New – Repair Sampling – New Wells – Existing Wells

Sampling New Well Standard Kit – Microbiological – Inorganic – Nitrates/Nitrites Individual Sample Types – Microbiological – Inorganic – Nitrates/Nitrites – Pesticides – Petroleum VOCs Extractables

Microbiological Coliform – Indicate the well is contaminated – If these are present then nastier microbes might be present Fecal Coliform – From animal waste/poo

Inorganic Analysis Arsenic Barium Cadmium Calcium Chloride Chromium Copper Fluoride Iron Lead Magnesium Manganese Mercury Nitrate/Nitrite pH Selenium Silver Sodium Sulfate Total Alkalinity Total Hardness Zinc

Laws and Rules for Private Water Supply Wells 40 CFR (Definitions) G.S. 87 Article 7 (N.C. Well Construction Act) G.S. 130A Article 10 (N.C. Drinking Water Act) 15A NCAC 02C.0100 (Well Constr. Standards) 15A NCAC 02C.0300 (Permitting & Inspection) 15A NCAC 18C.0100 (Protection of Public Water Supplies)