Download Private Wells and Septics

Water Quality Issues with
Wells
Matt Neibauer, Troy Bauder, and
Reagan Waskom
Colorado State University
Overview

Identifying
Problems /
Sampling

Water Quality
Considerations

Available
Resources
Diagnosing Water Quality Problems

Symptoms:
– Taste
– Odor
– Appearance
– Feel

Many problems have
none of these
symptoms!
Diagnosing Water Quality Problems





How old is the well?
How deep is the well?
Have neighbors had problems?
Do you have a recent water test?
Is the well located near:
– Underground storage tanks
– Feedlots
– Dumps
– Leach fields – septic system
– Abandoned wells
– Mines
Well
Construction
and Test
Report
Sampling and Lab Testing

Starts with a GOOD water sample

ALL new, prospective, and current
well owners should sample well
water to get baseline quality!! – And
keep records!!!

Complete or routine – pH, TDS,
hardness, sulfate, nitrate, chloride,
sodium, calcium, magnesium,
metals, etc.

Bacteria – fecal coliform, total
coliform, and/or E. coli.
Good Sample?

Fresh, chilled

Clean lab bottle preferred

Inside:
–
–
–

Bypass water treatment
Faucet – remove aerator
Flush one minute
Outside:
–
–
Nearest hydrant
10 min. flush
Sample Interval

Annual
–

Five to ten
–

Complete – pH, TDS, hardness, sulfate, sodium, chloride,
metals
Sample interval depends upon:
–
–
–
–

Bacteria + nitrate
Well construction
Well depth
Previous problems
Location – proximity to contaminants
Keep records!!!
Water Quality Considerations – Irrigation for
Landscape/Garden/Crops

Salinity – measured by
electrical conductivity
(E.C.) or T.D.S.
–

Reduces water availability
to plants
Sodium (Na) adsorption
ratio – SAR
–
–
–
Ratio of Na to Ca
Causes soil structural
problems
Specific plant toxicity
Special Water Quality Considerations
Iron Bacteria:
 Generally harmless
 Can cause foul
taste/odor
 Can cause pumping
problems and well
plugging
 Sanitation following
drilling
 Chlorination
Potential Sources of Contamination
Abandoned wells should be properly
plugged and sealed
Inspecting Well Casing/Cap/Seal
Older PVC Cap
PVC cap and casing
requires extra attention
Water Quality Considerations –
Cisterns & Storage Tanks
Corral / Livestock >50’ Separation
Livestock and wells DON’T mix.
Well Pits – pit cover
Well Pits – pit hole
Wells Pits – well cap
DO NOT store ANYTHING in pit that could
contaminate the well.
Potential Problems for Wells

Location
–
–
–
–

Materials
–
–
–

Above ground vs. in pit
Aspect of land – slope &
drainage
Potential sources of
contamination
Access
Age and condition
PVC vs Steel
Cap and seal
Condition
–
–
–
Cracks
Settling
Last service date
Treatment Categories


Physical
– Media filters
– Sand filters
– Reverse Osmosis
– Activated carbon
Chemical
– Chlorination
Point of Entry
 Point of Use
 Both

Resources
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/WQ/
Water Quality Publications
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/WQ/WQPubs.html
Summary

Diagnosing water quality problems requires
observation, proper well sampling, and reputable
testing labs.

Identifying and understanding the potential problems
associated with new and existing wells is the key to
a healthy water supply.

The responsibility of a clean well water supply lies
with the home/land owner.

Matt Neibauer: [email protected]
(970) 491-5124