Importance of testing private water supplies.

Water from private water supplies should be routinely tested twice a year for Total Coliform and E.coli when the water supply is most at risk, such as after the spring thaw and during the autumn rainy season. Testing should be done regardless of any water treatment devices that may be installed on the water system.

Water should be re-tested after any event that could have affected the microbial safety of the water supply, for example a sewage back-flow in the area of the well, or a flood. The water should also be re-tested if there is a change in the appearance, taste or odour of the water.

When a water well is drilled, deepened or repaired, a testing voucher is issued to the homeowner from the well contractor. The voucher, which is a requirement under the Potable Water Regulation of the Clean Water Act, covers the cost of inorganic and microbiological analysis. Homeowners who have received a well water testing voucher are strongly encouraged to test the quality of their water within twelve months of the voucher being issued.

Private water supplies should also be tested for inorganic compounds such as arsenic, uranium, fluoride and nitrates. Rock formations that make up the earth's crust are rich in natural deposits for such compounds. Ground water that has traveled through these rock formations could have high levels of these compounds.

Inorganic analysis on private water supplies should preferably be done every two to three years or more often if previous sampling of water showed levels of compounds near the health advisory levels.

The water should be tested for organic compounds if:

• The water source is located in an area that may be exposed to chemicals such as petroleum products or pesticides
• A recent incident such as a petroleum spill has occurred in the area of the well

Or if the water has a noticeable taste or odour of a chemical.

In order to help prevent contamination of private water supplies, certain precautions should be taken. For example:

• On-site sewage disposal systems need to be properly maintained and serviced
• The area around the well needs to be kept free of debris
• Surface water needs to be drained away from the site
• Pets shouldn't be housed in the area of the water source

 

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*Please note that sampling kits are also available for testing the presence of chemicals and other issues in well water. Contact InterMax Inc. at 1-800-531-5122.

Read the following directions carefully:

• Remove the tap screen or other devices attached to the tap spout.
• Turn on the cold water tap in your kitchen or bathroom and run the water for at least 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to touch the faucet where the water is coming out.
• Reduce the flow of water after this time period.
• The sample bottle is sterile when you receive it. To avoid contaminating the bottle and your sample, do not touch the mouth of the bottle or inside of the cap or rim.
• Fill the bottle from, but not touching the faucet to the top and securely place the cap back on the bottle.
• Keep the sample cool and return it to InterMax Water Group Inc. within 24 hours of when you took the sample.
• Fill out your name, address, phone number, as well as the date and time your sample was collected.

 

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Coliform:
No private or semi-public water sample should contain coliform bacteria. The presence of total coliform bacteria in the absence of E.coli indicates the well is prone to surface water infiltration and therefore at risk of fecal contamination.

E-coli / Fecal Coliform:
No sample should contain E.coli. The presence of E.coli indicates faecal contamination and the possible presence of enteric pathogens; therefore the water is unsafe to drink or consume in any manner unless disinfected. The presence of total coliform bacteria or E.coli indicates a failure in the disinfection process.
Note: Water with presence of coliform or e-coli should not be used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice, juice, or washing vegetables etc. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for 2 minutes before using. Store drinking water in fridge after boiling. The acceptable level for these bacteria is 0.
Note: An acceptable bacteria report does not necessarily indicate that the water supply will continue to be safe. Private Wells should be tested for bacteria at least twice per year as recommended by The New Brunswick Department of Public Health and Wellness, and Health Canada.

Hardness:
Dissolved rock and minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Domestic water supply should be less than 200 ppm. Although hardness is not a health threat, excessive levels may be harmful to plumbing fixtures and pipes.

Iron:
Natural occurring substance in groundwater that may cause stains, corrosion, and odor. It can ruin a hot water heater and plug plumbing. Domestic water should be less than 0.3 ppm. Excessive iron can be a health risk causing a medical condition known as hemochromatosis.

Tannin:
Caused by decaying organic matter, which can stain clothing, appliances, and build up in your plumbing system?

Sulfur:
Also hydrogen sulfide caused by decayed and rotting organic matter in the underground aquifer. Can cause a rotten egg odor and will tarnish silverware, plug appliances, plumbing, and cause black staining.

Turbidity:
Turbidity means cloudiness.

Sediment:
Undissolved solid.

Ph:
Waters acidic or basic property. Acidic water (low pH) can cause corrosion of plumbing and fixtures, which can lead to elevated levels of metals such as lead and copper. High pH can cause scaling of the plumbing system. Domestic water should be 6.5 – 8.5.

Alkalinity:
Waters ability to neutralize acid. Should be between 30 - 500.

Manganese:
A naturally occurring metal. Not usually considered a health threat. It can cause brownish-black stains on laundry, dishes, and fixtures. Also may cause an objectionable taste in water or other beverages. Domestic water source should contain less than 0.05 ppm.

Nitrate:
Nitrate is a wide spread contaminant of domestic water caused mostly from natural decay of organic matter, nitrogenous fertilizers and from poorly or untreated sewage. Nitrate causes decreased oxygen carrying capacity in infants and some adults. High levels of nitrate indicate possible contamination from agriculture and suggest the need for pesticide testing. Domestic water should be less than 45 ppm.

TDS:
Total dissolved solids. Domestic water should not exceed 500 ppm.

Arsenic:
A poisonous heavy metal which comes from natural sources or from human activity.
(The safe threshold for arsenic in domestic water supplies varies throughout the world. Example: In Canada the health advisory is 25 ppb, in the United States it is 10 ppb.)

Antimony:
Occurs naturally in soils, groundwater and surface waters and is often used in the flame retardant industry, glass, batteries, fireworks, and explosives. Antimony may enter drinking water through natural weathering of rock, industrial production, municipal waste disposal, or manufacturing processes. The health advisory limit for antimony is 0.006 mg/L or ppm.

Barium:
A naturally occurring trace metal. Potential health effects are circulatory system related.

Cadmium:
A naturally occurring trace metal that accumulates in the environment, causes corrosion of galvanized pipes, and can be toxic to humans and aquatic life. Phosphate fertilizers are a major source of cadmium input to agricultural soils. The health advisory level for cadmium is 0.005 mg/L or ppm.

Copper:
A naturally occurring trace metal. At low concentrations, copper is an essential nutrient for both plants and animals, but at higher concentrations can be toxic to aquatic animals, aquatic plants and humans. The Action Level for copper is 1.3 mg/L or ppm.

Chromium:
A naturally occurring trace metal that can be toxic to humans and aquatic life. Sources of chromium in surface waters include wastewater from electroplating operations, leather tanning industries, and textile manufacturing. The health advisory level for chromium is 0.1 mg/L or ppm.

Selenium:
Occurs naturally in food and soils and is used in electronics, photocopy operations, the manufacture of glass, chemicals, drugs, and as a fungicide and a feed additive. The health advisory level for selenium is 0.05 mg/L or ppm.

Uranium:
A naturally occurring contaminant, which can effect the kidney’s and may cause cancer.

Lead:
A naturally occurring trace metal that accumulates in the environment and can be toxic to humans and aquatic life. Important sources of lead in surface waters include steel and iron industries, lead production, and processing operations, and urban runoff. The health advisory level for lead is 0.015 mg/L or ppm.

P.C.B’s:
Compounds that were used in electronic components (NB Power) and in some well pumps. These compounds stay in the environment and cause an increased cancer risk. It is a common misconception that PCBs are only associated with electrical equipment such as transformers and capacitors. Although most of the PCBs are in electrical equipment, (e.g., switches/reclosers, light ballasts, small capacitors, and voltage regulators), a number of other common items also contain PCBs. Prior to 1976, PCBs were employed in numerous other uses because of their chemical properties. Heat transfer systems, electromagnets, metal cutting and shaping tools, ventilation gaskets, adhesives, and carbonless copy paper are examples of items that commonly contained PCBs.

Radon:
A naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by uranium and radium in rocks and soil. It is cancer causing, and contributes to approx. 20000 deaths per year in North America. It has no taste, odor, or color. The Atlantic region is suspected to have much Radon.

Hydrocarbons:
(Alberta M.U.S.T. analysis) All types of fuels, oils, diesels, gas, petroleum, etc.

Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde has been used in embalming and is thereby a possible issue within a mile or so from a cemetery. It is also an important industrial chemical used to make other chemicals, building materials, and household products. It is used in glues, wood products, preservatives, permanent press fabrics, paper product coatings, and certain insulation materials. Building products made with formaldehyde resins can “off-gas” (emit) formaldehyde gas. These products include particle board used as sub-flooring or shelving, fiberboard in cabinets and furniture, plywood wall panels, and foamed-in-place urea-formaldehyde insulation. Formaldehyde affects people in various ways. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde while others may have no noticeable reaction at the same level of exposure. Sensitive people can experience symptoms at levels below 0.1 ppm. The World Health Organization recommends that exposure should not exceed 0.05 ppm. Colds, flu, and allergies can cause symptoms similar to some of those produced by exposure to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has caused cancer in laboratory animals and may cause cancer in humans; there is no known threshold level below which there is no threat of cancer. The risk depends upon amount and duration of exposure.

Note: Some of the above parameters may not be applicable to you. Only the tests indicated on your report apply.

* Your Water Test results reflect the situation at the point in time it is collected. Water from a spring, a shallow dug well, or a drilled well lacking adequate construction standards is considered unsafe regardless of test results.

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