Parameter

Source

Effects

Bacteria

Total Coliform

(Primary)

Coliform bacteria are widely distributed in the environment in soil, on plants, on animals and in very large numbers in the feces of warm-blooded animals. Presence in a water supply means that the water has been exposed to the environment and disease causing organisms may be present. Wells should be inspected for possible entry points. Always disinfect the water supply after identifying the source and making any needed repairs. Re-test the water to ensure that the bacteria have been eliminated before continuing use of the well water. Any amount of coliform is unsafe. Water should not be used for drinking, bathing, or in the kitchen until the source of contamination is corrected, the system is disinfected and follow-up water tests are negative.

Consuming water with coliform bacteria present may cause gastrointestinal problems, fever, waterborne diseases and other flu-like symptoms.

Fecal E.Coli

(Primary)

Fecal E.Coli is one of the largest types of fecal coliform. If this test comes back present, it is usually an indication that there is a defect in the well allowing entry of fecal material from animals or people. Water should not be used for drinking, bathing, or in the kitchen until the source of contamination is corrected, the system is disinfected and follow-up water tests are negative.

Consuming water with coliform bacteria present may cause gastrointestinal problems, fever, waterborne diseases and other flu-like symptoms.

Chemistry

Sodium

(Secondary)

Often found in wells near salted roads or coastal areas.

May affect those on low-sodium diets and possibly increase blood pressure in susceptible individuals.

Potassium

Soft metal often linked with chloride to form a salt. Not normally considered a toxic metal.

Excessive intake may have a laxative effect.

Copper

(Secondary)

Copper usually originates from corrosion of plumbing in the home.

Copper causes a bitter, metallic taste in the water and may cause Bluish-green stains in sinks and bathtubs. High copper levels are a health concern because it may cause severe stomach cramps and gastrointestinal illness

Iron

(Secondary)

A naturally occurring element in soil. From soil it can leach into well water.

At high concentrations, iron will discolor (reddish-orange; brown-black) household fixtures, laundry and give an objectionable taste and odor to water. However, even at high concentrations, few adverse health effects have been reported. Bacteria which feed on iron can create an objectionable odor in the water and discharge a clear, oil-like slime, typically noticed in toilet tanks.

Manganese

(Secondary)

A naturally occurring metal found in soil.

May cause brown and black stains on laundry, plumbing fixtures and sinks. A metallic taste may also be present and it may affect the taste of beverages made from the water. High concentrations of manganese do not appear to present a health hazard.

Magnesium

A component of the waters hardness that is found in the soil.

May leach into the water supply affecting hardness.

Calcium

A component of the waters hardness that is found in the soil.

May leach into the water supply affecting hardness, alkalinity and pH.

Arsenic

(Primary)

Arsenic occurs in groundwater from both natural sources and human activities. It is very toxic at high levels. In drinking water, it is tasteless and odorless.

May be a serious health threat and cause things like skin lesions, nervous system disorders, circulatory problems or cancer.

Lead

(Primary)

Contamination primarily caused by lead pipes, brass faucets and fixtures and corrosion of lead service lines.

High levels may be toxic if accumulated in the bloodstream and affect the growth of children. Highly toxic to infants and pregnant women.

pH

(Secondary)

A Measurement of how acidic or alkaline your water is. 7 is considered neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is basic or alkaline. High pH usually indicates bacterial contamination.

May promote corrosion of plumbing system and fixtures.

Turbidity

A suspension of fine particles floating in water. Can be caused by bacterial contamination, organic matter, iron, manganese or silt erosion, runoff or discharges.

High levels may affect corrosiveness of water.

Color

(Secondary)

A measurement of clarity or discoloration. It is sometimes affected by various minerals and metals such as iron and manganese.

Odor

(Secondary)

Dissolved gases, minerals, chemicals; leaking underground storage tanks; landfill or septic runoff; organic matter.

"Rotten egg", septic, musty or chemical smell.

Conductivity

Water will conduct electricity when ions such as sodium, iron and manganese are present. This test confirms high levels of ions (minerals).

T.D.S. Total Dissolved Solids

(Secondary)

This is the total amount of all inorganic and organic substances –including mineral, salts and metals that are dispersed in the water. T.D.S. concentrations are used to evaluate the quality of the water. Sources may include: agricultural run-off, urban run-off, industrial wastewater, sewage and natural sources such as leaves, silt, plankton and rocks.

Elevated total dissolved solids can result in your water having a bitter or salty taste; result in incrustations, films, or precipitates on fixtures; corrosion of fixtures, and reduced efficiency of water filters.

Sediment

A visual identification made for the presence or absence of un dissolved sediment after a period of time.

Alkalinity

The measurement of the capacity of water to neutralize acids. The greater the alkalinity, the less effect environmental problems such as acid rain have on the water.

If your water has a high alkalinity it is most likely hard also.

Chlorine

A disinfectant

Chlorine residual can cause taste and odor problems and can irritate eyes and nose as well as cause stomach discomfort.

Chloride (Secondary)

Natural minerals; seawater; road salt; fertilizers; industrial wastes and sewage.

Chlorides in water are generally not considered a health problem. At high levels, chlorides make water taste salty and may be the cause of accelerated corrosion in water heaters and plumbing fixtures. Very high levels may indicate some type of contamination typically from deicing salts, human sewage or animal manures, or industrial sources.

Hardness

Used to describe conditions that limit soap foaming ability in water.

Hardness is the property that makes water form an insoluble scum with soap and is primarily due to the presence of Calcium and Magnesium. Water that is very hard, have no known adverse health effects and may be more palatable than soft waters. Hard water is primarily of concern because it requires more soap for effective cleaning, forms scum and causes yellowing of fabrics, toughens vegetables cooked in the water and forms scale in boilers, water heaters, pipes, cooking utensils and coffee pots. Hard water also requires extra soap in the laundry and makes glasses spot in the dishwasher.

Nitrate

(Primary)

While natural nitrate originating from soil occurs in water, high levels of nitrate in well water may indicate surface contamination. These sources include: septic fields, manure application.

Water that contains high nitrate levels may be poisonous to pregnant or nursing women. It has also been known to cause infant cyanosis (blue-baby) in children under the age of six months. The cyanosis can be fatal to both infants and small animals. The water should not be given to infants either directly or used in formulas.

Nitrite

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits. Can be correlated to high levels of nitrates.

Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.

Ammonia

Indicator of organic waste. A gas produced by the breakdown of organic waste materials.

Sulfate

(Secondary)

Some soils and rocks contain sulfate minerals. As groundwater moves through the earth, some of the sulfate is dissolved into the water.

High levels of sulfate in water can cause dehydration and diarrhea and may also cause an after taste in the water. Sulfates of calcium and magnesium can cause hardness in water. High sulfate levels can also have a corrosive effect on plumbing.

Water containing sulfate may also contain bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide. The foul, rotten egg smell found in some water comes from hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a poisonous gas but at levels dissolved in water, is not a health hazard. However, dissolved hydrogen sulfide causes silver and aluminum utensils to tarnish.