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Water Quality Issues with Water Quality Issues with Wells Wells
Matt Neibauer, Troy Bauder, and Matt Neibauer, Troy Bauder, and Reagan WaskomReagan Waskom
Colorado State UniversityColorado 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 Constructionand 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– Bacteria + nitrate
Five to ten– Complete – pH, TDS, hardness, sulfate, sodium, chloride,
metals Sample interval depends upon:
– 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.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– Above ground vs. in pit– Aspect of land – slope &
drainage– Potential sources of
contamination– Access
Materials– 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 EntryPoint of UseBoth
Resourceshttp://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/WQ/
Water Quality Publicationshttp://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