In many rural areas, homes depend on wells to supply for their needs. While the Environmental Protection Agency requires that public supplies be tested to ensure they meet certain standards, such tests are not generally required for private wells in the United States. Well water testing ensures a home's supply is safe for the family to consume.
Several tests that are performed are for indicator organisms and chemicals that show the likelihood of more dangerous contaminates. While these indicator strains or chemicals may not cause illness, they often occur with more dangerous ones for which testing is more difficult. Their presence indicates potential contamination by such problems as raw sewage.
Contamination by the bacteria found in the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals is one way to test for possible contamination of disease causing bacteria. The total coliform count is an indicator of the number of this type of bacteria in a specified amount of sample. If the count is high, the chances of other bacteria that are more harmful being in the tested material are greater.
Samples are also often tested for an indicator strain of E. Coli. A positive result indicates fecal contamination in the supply. Although the indicator strain of E. Coli is generally harmless, its presence indicates other germs that can cause health concerns including dysentery, hepatitis and diarrhea. Homeowners should not confuse the indicator strain with the more harmful one that often makes the news due to restaurant or food contamination.
Labs generally perform a pH test. This test is quick to perform and determines whether the sample is acid, base or neutral. While a reading of 7 is neutral, higher or lower numbers can affect quality. Non-neutral samples may erode heavy metals form pipes. This causes plumbing problems and may make consumers sick in a home.
While nitrates are used as preservatives in foods, they should not be found in the wells that supply homes. Continual consumption can make one ill. They often come from flooded septic tanks or sewers as well as animal waste and other farm runoff. They affect the quality of wells. Other sources include natural geographic formations.
In some regions, volatile organic compounds from fuel or industrial pollution contaminate wells. The exact VOCs for which one should test depend on the location in which one lives. If they are a problem in your region, the local health department can tell you the tests to have completed.
Some health concerns are regionally specific. For example, heavy metals may be a problem, especially in the Western USA. In other regions, there may be specific bacteria which is of concern and for which the sample should be tested. The local health department of the laboratory can help homeowners determine the tests which are necessary to ensure their safety.
It is generally a good idea to submit samples for well water testing on an annual basis. Submit samples if you notice a difference in the quality of the supply or if there have been land disturbances or repairs to the system. Proper testing is essential to ensure your family remains healthy.
Several tests that are performed are for indicator organisms and chemicals that show the likelihood of more dangerous contaminates. While these indicator strains or chemicals may not cause illness, they often occur with more dangerous ones for which testing is more difficult. Their presence indicates potential contamination by such problems as raw sewage.
Contamination by the bacteria found in the digestive systems of other warm blooded animals is one way to test for possible contamination of disease causing bacteria. The total coliform count is an indicator of the number of this type of bacteria in a specified amount of sample. If the count is high, the chances of other bacteria that are more harmful being in the tested material are greater.
Samples are also often tested for an indicator strain of E. Coli. A positive result indicates fecal contamination in the supply. Although the indicator strain of E. Coli is generally harmless, its presence indicates other germs that can cause health concerns including dysentery, hepatitis and diarrhea. Homeowners should not confuse the indicator strain with the more harmful one that often makes the news due to restaurant or food contamination.
Labs generally perform a pH test. This test is quick to perform and determines whether the sample is acid, base or neutral. While a reading of 7 is neutral, higher or lower numbers can affect quality. Non-neutral samples may erode heavy metals form pipes. This causes plumbing problems and may make consumers sick in a home.
While nitrates are used as preservatives in foods, they should not be found in the wells that supply homes. Continual consumption can make one ill. They often come from flooded septic tanks or sewers as well as animal waste and other farm runoff. They affect the quality of wells. Other sources include natural geographic formations.
In some regions, volatile organic compounds from fuel or industrial pollution contaminate wells. The exact VOCs for which one should test depend on the location in which one lives. If they are a problem in your region, the local health department can tell you the tests to have completed.
Some health concerns are regionally specific. For example, heavy metals may be a problem, especially in the Western USA. In other regions, there may be specific bacteria which is of concern and for which the sample should be tested. The local health department of the laboratory can help homeowners determine the tests which are necessary to ensure their safety.
It is generally a good idea to submit samples for well water testing on an annual basis. Submit samples if you notice a difference in the quality of the supply or if there have been land disturbances or repairs to the system. Proper testing is essential to ensure your family remains healthy.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.watertestwholesale.com for more helpful information about Well Water Testing Protects Your Family's Health
No comments:
Post a Comment