Features Contamination Water Issues
Regular water testing key for household water well owners

March 7, 2014, Westerville, OH – The 16th annual National Groundwater
Awareness Week takes place March 9-15, marking a perfect occasion to remind
homeowners about the importance of well water testing. The annual event was started
by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

March 7, 2014, Westerville, OH – The 16th annual National Groundwater
Awareness Week takes place March 9-15, marking a perfect occasion to remind
homeowners about the importance of well water testing. The annual event was started
by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

According to NGWA, this is a good time for owners of
household water wells, as managers of their own personal drinking water system,
to test the water. 

At a minimum, private well owners should test their water
annually for bacteria, nitrate, and anything of local concern, said Cliff
Treyens, NGWA public awareness director, in a press release. “We encourage
private well owners to check with an appropriate state agency or local health
department about any area-specific water testing recommendations.”

Contaminants of local concern can be naturally occurring in
the environment (such as arsenic and radon) or from manmade sources such as
industrial sites, landfills, and improper disposal of hazardous household
wastes.

In addition, well owners should check their water more often
if:

• there is a change in the taste, odor, or appearance of the
  water
• a problem occurs such as a broken well cap or a new
  contamination source
• family members or houseguests have recurrent incidents of
  gastrointestinal illness
• an infant is living in the home
• there is a need to monitor the efficiency and performance of
  home water treatment equipment

To find a certified drinking water testing laboratory,
contact your state drinking water testing lab certification officer. You can also
check with your local health department or visit the Water Testing page on
www.WellOwner.org

Should any contaminants above levels of health concern
remain after proper cleaning and disinfection of the water well system,
qualified water well system professional can advise well owners on how to
pursue treatment options. It is important to compare drinking water lab test
results to the treatment capabilities of any recommended treatment system.