Well Aware: a 30-page guide to caring for your well

8/8/2019 Well Aware: a 30-page guide to caring for your well

1/34

by Green CommunitiesCanada in partnershipwith the Ontario GroundWater Association.

Financial support providedby the Ontario Ministryof the Environment.

A guide tocaring for

your well and

protecting your

familys health.


2/34

Well Aware A Guide For Well Owners

The Well Awarebooklet was compiled by Green Communities Canada, in partnership with the Ontario GroundWater Association. Project editor: Clifford Maynes. Design: Creative Feats Inc., Stratford.

Thanks to representatives of the Ontario Ground Water Association, Ministry of the Environment, GreenCommunities Canada, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (Ontario Branch, Inc.), Association ofSupervisors of Public Health Inspectors of Ontario, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for commentsand suggestions. Special thanks for permission to use materials from: Best Management Practices: Water Wells,Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food; the Well Awarevideo, theWell AwareVideo Working Group; and How Well is Your Well, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors(Ontario Branch, Inc.). All responsibility for content rests with GCC.

Funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

Published 2006 by Green Communities Canada. Excerpts welcome with permission.

Order bulk copies from: Green Communities Canada, Box 928, Peterborough, ON K9J 7A5,(705) 745-7479, [email protected] See: www.greencommunitiescanada.org

Contents

Be well aware 1

WellLife Cycle

Groundwater basics 2Well location 4

Well construction 6Upgrading your well 8Well plugging and sealing 10

WellMaintenanceProtecting your well water 11Well inspection 15

WaterQualityPossible contaminants 17Water testing 19Bacterial contamination 21Treatment systems 24

Hiring a contractor 26

Your well records 27

Resources 27

Water quality testing diary 29

Well maintenance diary 30


3/34


4/34

Your well taps into one of natures treasures cool, clean groundwater.

You and your family depend on this precious resource every day for

cooking, washing, and a continuous supply of safe drinking water.

About thisbkAs prv wr w wr, s yr jb b w wr drsd

h bscs f w mc d pr, d k h cssry

cs kp yr wr ws sf r rdr. Ths bk s d

cr fr yr ws.

T mprv yr wrk kwd f ws d h well life cycle, rd

h scs rdwr d w c, csrc, prd, d

prpr p d s f sd ws.

Fr f yr rspsbs s w wr, rd h

scs well maintenance, cd w wr prc d p

prv. A spc d mc r s rcmmdd frvry w yr prpry.

Fr br drsd fwell water qualitysss d wh d

b hm, rd h scs rdwr bscs, p wr

cms, s, rmds, d rm sysms.

Th bck f h bk cds frmb hiring contractors d s yr

well records. Frhr resources d

ccs r sd. Ad hdydiaries for

water testing and well maintenance r

cdd.

Well Aware A Guide For Well Owners 1

B wellaware

Yr fmys hh depends !


5/34

2 Well Aware A Guide For Well Owners

Groundwaterbscs

Saturated layers below the water table that

transmit significant quantities of groundwater

are called aquifers. Credit: BMP: Water Wells

Your well gets its water from an underground watersource called groundwater.

Grdwr rs frm srfc wr dprcp, cd r d m sw, h hsfrd h rh, f h crcks d p spcs

h rcks d h s. Srd yrs bw hwr b h sr d rsm sfc qsf rdwr .., h sppy w rcd aquifers.

WellLf Cyc

Keeping itc

Srfc sps f cms k f cfr h s d cmrdwr. Th rsk f cm srs whr h rd srfc s hhy

wr prmb, .., rs wh crsss r frcrd bdrck r r h

srfc.

Grdwr c s b cmd bydrrd srcs, sch s k fsr ks r mfc spcsysms. Pry csrcd r drr

ws c c s drc pp fr srfcps cm h qfr.Usd d md ws r spcccr f hy hv b sfy pdd sd.

Dpd h yp f s r rck,

rdwr my b frd d vry c.B c qfr s cmd, ck vry m rcvr, f vr.

Aquif

Wat

Tabl

Ifiltatio


6/34


Compared to surface water, groundwater usually moves very slowly from a few millimetres to

a few metres a day. Groundwater affects the quality and quantity of surface water where it

discharges into streams, rivers, wetlands, and lakes. Credit: BMP: Water Wells

WellLf Cyc

GrdwrflowsI s mpssb drm h xc drc f rdwr fwbsd srfc frs . Hwvr, w kw h wr hqfr r pmp w w fw wrd h w.

Th dr yr w f rdwr cm s rs wh

h cm src s cs yr w. Hwvr, rrccss cms hv b kw sprd vr svrkmrs.

Recharge Area

(High Rate)

Infiltration

Percolation

Discharge Area

Water Table

Infiltration

Recharge Area

(Moderate Rate)

Groundwater Flow

Direction


7/34


Lc a new well

AccssWells and well-related equipment

must be sited so they can be easily

accessed at all times for cleaning,

treatment, repair, testing, and visual

examination.

Th rd ms sp awayfrom the wellLc yr w hhr p f

d s h r-ff d cms

dr wy frm h w hd rhr h

wrd . Th r rby c b

dscpd d crd hp drcr-ff wy frm h w.

If you are constructing a new well,

think carefully about the best

location, that is, a high point of land

with good access and separation from

potential contaminants. Contact anMOE-licensed well contractor to

locate a well on your property.

WellLf Cyc


8/34

Separation from cms

Ws ms b cd sf dsc frm p srcs f cm sch s f

sr ks, sckps f chmcs k pscds r rd s, spc sysms, rds,

mr ps, vsck, d rds d drvwys.Ws ms b sprd frm p cm srcs s fws:

s 15 mrs (5 f) fr drd ws wh wrh css

h xd 6 mrs (2 f) r mr bw rd v

s mrs (1 f) fr hr ws

Ths mmm dscs d r sfy. Icrs h spr

whrvr pssb, d m r rdc srcs f cm.


WellLf Cyc

Old Machinery and Scrap Metal

Fertilizer

Pesticide Storage

Paint and Cleaners

Silo

SiloShed

FuelTanks

SepticTile Field

CultivatedField

Barn ManureStorage

FencedCattleYard

WateringStation

Laneway

Car ParkingHeating Oil

Dog

Maintain MinimumSeparation Distances

Well

RoadMunicipal

Drain

Pesticide Mixing

House

Verify adequate separation from potential contaminants. Credit: BMP: Water Wells


9/34


WellLf Cyc

Wellcsrc

WellcsNw ws shd b d wh wrh cs dsd kp cms.

T b ffcv, hs cs ms xd h pprpr dph, .., h pr f h

qfr frm whch h w drws wr, r h bdrck. I y v, ms

rmy xd s 6 mrs (2 f) bw rd. S Regulation 903 fr ds.

Th w cs ms s xd s 4 cmrs (16 chs) bv h fshdrd hp prv cm by srfc wr d r-ff.

A properly constructed well

forms an effective barrier

against surface run-off that may

enter and contaminate the well.

Wr ms fr d pss

dwwrd hrh h s d/rrck bfr c rch h qfr

frm whch yr w s s wr.

Ovr h yrs, w ds hs

mprvd rfc dvcs

chy d r drsdf p phwys f cm-

. Regulation 903 f h

Or Wr Rsrcs Ac

s mmm csrc

sdrds fr yps f ws.

Awys hr crcr csdby h Or Msry f h

Evrm wh s fmr wh

hs sdrds. Distances in illustration are minimums. Credit: BMP: Water Wells

Vented, Vermin

Proof Well Cap

40 cm

(16 in.)

1.5 m

(5.0 ft.)

Mounded Earth

Electrical Lines

To Pump

To Pump

Annular Seal

Well Casing

Water Line

6.0 m

(20 ft.)

Commercially

Manufactured

Pitless Adapter


10/34


WellLf Cyc

Wpits

Prr 185, w ps wr cmmy sd

prc wr ccs frm frz.

Hwvr, w ps r r csdrd sf

bcs hy f f wh srfc wr d dbrs,

d cm. O w ws h w

cs ms xd bv rd v d pss

dpr (s pps) s sd prvd sd wr ry dph s h

wr s r prcd frm frz.

The annulars

Wh yr w s drd h h h rd s br h h w cs.

Th rs p h r spc ms b fd wh wrh s

sch s b h ds shrk r crck dr h rd. Fr mxmm

prc, h s shd xd h f h f h cs. SRegulation 903 fr prscrbd mmm dphs.

Th r s srvs s brrr r-ff, srfc wr, d r-srfc

wrs h cd hrws rv dw h sd f h cs d

cm h qfr.

Wellcp

Regulation 903 rqrs h yr drd w b cppd wh cmmrcy

mfcrd vrm-prf w cp. Mdr cps hv rbbr sks d

scrd vs sd prv ry f fr mr sch s vrm,scs, d dcy p mr. Ls-f cps fd dr ws

mk hs ws cmfrb hm fr scs d vrm.

Well pit with concrete cover.

Credit: BMP: Water Wells

W ll L f C


11/34

Uprd yr w,

or construct a new one?If hr r wr qy prbms wh yr

xs w, p s dr w w.

A w w my b h bs wy f yr

xs w s:

bdy cd, cs prm srcs

f cm, r rsk frm fd

prdc dq wr spps

sbsdrd d c b prdd fr

chc r rry rss


WellLf Cyc

Uprdyour wellIt is possible even likely that your existing

well does not meet the new construction

standards described in the preceding section.

What should you do?

Consider upgrading your existing well for the

sake of your familys health and safety andthe security of your drinking water source.

Talk over your options with an MOE-licensed

well contractor who is experienced with upgrades

and familiar with conditions in

your area.

Faulty annular seal.

W ll Lf C


12/34


WellLf Cyc

Water infiltrating from the surface may reach a shallow aquifer in days to weeks. It

could take years to reach a confined deeper aquifer. Credit: BMP: Water Wells

Recharge Area

MonthsTo

Years

Days

DaysTo

Weeks

Sand

Water Table

Years Clay(Aquitard)

Bedrock

Shallow Aquifer

Deep Aquifer

Days

ToWeeks

Dyou hv a high risk well?Sm ws r hhr rsk f cm d rqr xr cr d .

Csdr h fw fcrs: shw ws (ss h 6 mrs r 2 f dp) r hhr rsk h dpr ws

d ws r hhr rsk h drd ws

dr ws r hhr rsk h wr ws

Ahr mpr rsk fcr s h yp f s d/r rck bw rd srfc d

h qfr frm whch yr w drws s wr. P smpy, yr w s wr rsk fhs mrs ffcvy sp srfc cms frm rch h qfr; s

hhr rsk f cms c fr mr rpdy.

Fr xmp, crs ss k sd d rv r ss ffcv brrr h hck

dpss f f ss k cy ms r sy cy. If yr w s bdrck, s hhr

rsk f frcrs xd rd srfc r r h srfc.

Grdwr sds fr yr r my y whhr c qfrs r mr r ss

sscpb mpcs frm srfc cm srcs.

Well Lf Cyc


13/34


WellLf Cyc

P ands

An unused and unmaintained

well that hasnt beenproperly plugged and sealed

poses health and safety

hazards for animals and

humans, especially children.

A w h s r sd r md c bcm drc pp fr

srfc wr r r-ff rch h qfr. Usd d md ws

hr h rdwr h spps yr w, d pssby yr

hbrs ws.I s yr rspsby dr Regulation sr h yr sd ws

r prpry pd d sd.

D ry s yr w w s s sy s sms. If y smpy f

p yr sd w wh sd, rv, ss, dbrs, r rb, y w

prv h fw f srfc wr r r-ff h w. Th mr hsd w my v crb cm f yr rdwr src.

If an unused and unmaintained well is on your property, you are

legally responsible for ensuring that it is plugged and sealed properly.

Hr MOE-csd w crcr wh hs h xprs d qpm

d h jb prpry, s rqrd dr Regulation .

Unused and

unmaintained wells

threaten groundwater.

Well Mc


14/34

Prc yr well waterWellMc

The protection of source

waters is the first step in

protecting your well water.

Source protection is often

the most cost-effective way

to keep contaminants out ofdrinking water. And it is

almost always less expensive

to keep water clean than to

try to deal with the

consequences of

contamination.

W wr prc starts at homeTh ms mmd hrs h sfy f yr w wr r sy rby yr

w yrd.

As pr f yr r w mc schd, wk h rds wh -mr

(1-f) rds f yr w. Lk fr p hrs. A cmp srch fr p

cms s rcmmdd, h sm m s y spc yr w (s ps 15-16).

Y shd s k fr chs h cd ffc yr w s pr f yr dy d wky

rs.Kp hs cms wy frm yr w:

p d vsck wss

s, ds, hm-h fs

pscds d frzrs (chmc r r)

hr hzrds chmcs, cd p, svs,

brbc srr fd, c. d-crs (sd m c rds, drvwys, sdwks)

d y hr sbsc y d w yr fmys drk wr.

As rspsb w wr, y d crry

rr prrm f w mc.

Tk cr f yr w s hr-sp prcss:

1. prc yr w wr h rd

srfc by vd, m, r

rdc cms

2. spc yr w rry d kp

yr w d r rdr

. s yr w wr rry d

rspd cm prbms

Th fw scs f hs bk w shw

y hw.


Well Mc


15/34


WellMc

Chmcs and fuels

Ay chmc r f sps h fr h rd c cm yr drk wrsrc. Chck h s, pscds, d hr chmcs r srd prpr

crs dsd hp prv sps r k. D sr hs mrs

ywhr r yr ws.

Rf wmwrs d hr mchry sf dsc

frm h w. (O r f s c cm

1 m rs f rdwr.) Rf vr hrd

srfcs hp prv fr f sps.

Ch h yr vhc sd srfc

sch s pvm r ccr wy frm h w.

C p sps wh bsrb mr(c sd r ky r) d rmv

Hshd Hzrds Ws dpsry.

Kp bck rby fr

qck ccss wh sps ccr.

Never hose down spills.

Spc systems

Lc yr spc sysm dw rd d wy frm yr w. Esr h yr sysm

cfrms wh h Or Bd Cd. Kp chmcs hr h hm ws

f h sysm. Pmp yr spc k vry w-hr yrs, r sk yr pmpr spcfy h pprpr pmp- frqcy. Kp yr sysm

d r rdr.

Grds

Em rds djc yr w. P prmw-rw rd cvr sch s rss. D s

frzrs r pscds.

Fuel and

chemical leaks

and spills

can pollute

groundwater

WellMc


16/34


Udrrd storage tanks

Udrrd sr ks d sscd pps d fs my k, spcy f hy rvr 15 yrs d r ck crrs prc. Udrrd sr ks r spc

ccr f h wr b s shw, r f h k s cs yr w (r srfc wr).

If pssb, rpc drrd ks wh bv-rd sr h hs prpr

sp/k cm.

Abv-rd storage tanksIf sr ks r rqrd, kp hm s fr s pssb

frm yr w. Thy shd b s 15- mrs

(5-1 f) wy, dpd w yp, s rqrd by

Regulation . Is shrd ks wh sp

cm, s rqrd by r, cpb f hd125 pr c f h vm f h k. Scry d

prc frm dm r dvsb.

Abdd tanks

Lk fr vdc f bdd ks h pr-d yr wrshp, cd ppssck f h rd. A bdd k my s c hrmf qds h w

k s h k crrds.

Am wastes

Lvsck d p wss r srs phr w wr, s h

Wkr rdy shwd.

Adp bs mm

prccs s prmd by

h prvcs rcr

msry d h OrFdr f Arcr.

WellMc


17/34


Src prc the bigger pictureCm srcs ffc yr w r ms f fd

yr w bckyrd. Addrss hs frs. Hwvr, y shd s

sppr cs prc srcs f drk wr fr yr

cmmy.

Mcp d-s ps d dfy vrb rd d

srfc wrs. Ld-s ps shd prvd h cssry

prc hrh crs h c, m, d yp f

dvpm. Cc yr mcpy fd f

prvcy fdd rdwr sdy hs b cmpd fr

yr cmmy.

Mjr srcs f cm d b crbd, k p

dsrs d rb d rcr r-ff.

Prrms d b pc rdc rsks f rdwr

cm frm sd ws, p xcvs, qrrs,

d cmd ss.

Get involved in protecting sources of drinking

water for your community. Contact yourmunicipality for information.


18/34

WellMc


19/34


W cs conditionLk fr y xr ss f dm,

crck, r dsc f yr w cs,

.., d vhc dm. If yv

sm dmr w (drd), rmv h

cp s rcmmdd. Vsby s md

d y cd cs cm r

dm, spcy f y hv sbmrsb

pmp. Sm csd w crcrs cspc yr cs wh dw-h cmr. If yv rr dmr w (..,

d r brd), y c rmv h d wh cr. Ispc h sd f h cs s

sr fshh. Lk fr hs r crcks, cd vdc f m fss, r

ss cm frm h cs js.

BckfwpreventionUdr cr crcmscs, cmd wr c fw bckwrds hrh yr

pmb yr w. Bckfw prv dvcs r vb frm yr csd

w crcr r pmp sr.

WpitRmv h cvr frm yr w p, d k fr wr, dbrs, vrm, c.

Do not enter the pit, or breathe the gases which may fill the pit. Th p shd b c

d dry. If wr r hr mr hs rd h p, yr w wr s hh

rsk f cm. C h

p. Csdr prd rcsrc w w.

Caution: Tk xr cr sr h

chdr d ccss

h w p. Ads shd s

bwr f h p prsc f

xc ss, whch my b ddy.Do not enter the pit.

7

7

WaterQy


20/34

Wh cd b wrwith my water?

Even though your water may appear to

be fine, there are many possible

contaminants that you cant taste, see,

or smell. See the following pages for

information about water quality testing

and solutions, and the Resources section

for testing contacts.

Total coliforms Cfrms r bcr. Ev w c f cfrms (1-5) mydc h prsc f hr mr hrmf bcr wh smr fcycs. C d

rs s rcmmdd. A hhr cfrm c (6-8) s sr dcr h

dss-cs mcr-rsms my b prs. Assm h yr wr s sf fr

drk wh rm.

E.coli E.colis sr f bcr

sscd wh hm d m

fc mr. Ay dcb prsc

fE.coli yr w wr ms

yr wr s sf fr drk

wh rm.

Nitrate Nr s bcr, s h d rs f chmc rc.Th prsc f r yr wr c b h rs f cmmrc

frzrs d hm r m wss. Ifs ss h sx mhs d c

bcm sck frm drk frm r crs md wh wr hh r. Nr rdcs h m f xy h bd, rs

b bby sydrm.


Possiblecms

Drinking contaminated well water

can make you and your family

members ill. It can even be fatal.

Bacterial contamination may

cause stomach cramps, diarrhea,and other problems.

Chemical contamination is

equally dangerous. Effects vary.

WaterQy


21/34


Sodium Cmm dmsc wr sfrscrs h v f sdm drk wr.

Idvds s-rdcd ds shd cs hr

physc f sdm vs drk wr xcd

2 m/r. Ss sd rds, drvwys d hr

pvd rs my s cm rdwr.

Metals and minerals Ms d mrs yr wr c cm frm r srcs, r frm

dfs, rd ss, spc sysms, rcr, f

crss, m, d csrc. Ld d cppr

c ch f yr pmb. Chrd, whchcms frm my f hs srcs, c b ry

dcr f frhr cm.

Gasoline, oil and diesel fuels Lk fr hsf yv hd sp, hv brd f k r

yr w, r dc f drs r fms.Solvents Ts fr hs f y r ccrd bchmc sps, rby sv s, r sr

chmc dr. Svs hv b kd ccr.

Pesticides Ts fr hs f y r ccrd

b ps r prs s f pscds r yrw, f yv hd sp r k, r f y r

ccrd b pssb bckfw hrh yr

pmb yr w dr mx f pscds.

WaterQy


22/34


Waters

See the Resources section of this

booklet for information about

testing laboratories.

Ts fr harmful bacteria

I s rcmmdd h y s yr w wr rry fr bcr, cd

cfrms d E.coli. C yr c hh , whch prvds hs ss fr f

chr. Kp crf rcrd f w s rss (s p 2).

Testing at least three times a year for bacteria is recommended by the

Ontario Ministry of the Environment and the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Ery spr s d m s yr w wr fr bcr. Ahr d m s h

dy fr hvy rf. M sw d r wr c crry srfc cms

yr w wr. If yr w wr s sf dr hs cds, s ms ky

b sf h rs f h yr.

Ts rry v f yr wr sms f, bcs y c wys s, sm r s

bcr r hr cms. D ry yr hbrs s rss ws h

r y fw sps pr sy hv dffr wr qy.

Bsds r s, y shd s s:

fr mjr pmb wrk r w rprs

f y dc chs wr qy, cd s, dr,d pprc

f rr w srs xprc xpd hh prbms hmy b wr-rd

fr fd. (If fd s cmm yr r y my w rrf yr w. Cc MOE-csd w crcr.)

WaterQy


23/34

I sfor bacteriaA s s fr cfrms d E.colis wys h drm h qy

f yr w wr. If yr w hs b sd rry, sbm hr smps

s wk pr. D sd svr smps h sm m. If h w

cssy shws ccpb cfrm d E.colics, smp s hr ms

ch yr.

Hw smpfor bacteriaTh fw rs ppy r smp fr cfrms d E.coli. Fr hr ss,

fw h smp rs prvdd by h s brry.

s h wr smp b prvdd by yr s fcy. (Th rr mr

prvdd h b s sdm hsph d s dd b hr. Ths

mr my cs rc f sd r hd, hrfr bs shd b

hdd by y chdr.)

d ch h b p, sd f d, r sd f b vr s h d dw

d rs h b

sc -swv p rmv rrs d hr chms frm yr p

dsfc h d f h fc wh chr-wr mx

r cd p wr fr w r hr ms

f h smp b h dcr drcy frm

h p wh ch h fw f h wr (vrfwh b rsks s h prsrvv h cms h

b)

rpc h cp hy d cmp h frm h cm wh h b

rfrr h smp fr cc d, f pssb, rspr cr

rr h smp d frm h hh r brry wh24 hrs f cc


WaterQy


24/34

If you get a serious adverse test result or have any reason to believe yourwater is dangerously contaminated take immediate action.


Bacterialcm

Use bottled water or eliminate

harmful bacterial contaminants

by sterilizing your water.

Us , bh, f h fw mhds m bcr cms:

Br wr r b d h b fr s

f m. (A r b s vrs b h

c b sppd by srr h wr.) N hhh b s ffcv mhd f m

bcr cm my cy ccr hr

yps f cm sch s chmcs, r,

ms, d mrs.

or

Mx 1.25 mL (1/4 sp) f qd hshd chr bch

4.5 L (1 ) f wr. L sd fr ms. Thr shd b f

chr sm h wr. Us frsh scd chr c

5.25 pr c sdm hypchr.

Rfrr bd r rd wr c fd-rd crs.Bd r srzd wr s sf fr drk. I s s rcmmdd fr

fd wsh d prpr (ss h wr w b bd s d

bv), brsh h, bh chdr, d wsh dshs. Ors

hh msry rcmmds rv pprchs fr wsh dshs d

bh chdr.

Urd w wr c b sd wh c fr bhs, shwrs, d

dry f y dsfc yr hds frwrds.

stopDrInkIngThe WATer

WaterQy


25/34

Welldsfc

Shck s mprry mhd f dsfc sd

m -m cs f bcr cm.

Shocking should not be used routinely or repeatedly.

It is not a substitute for eliminating an ongoing

source of contamination or a defect in your well.

Shck yr w s rvy cmpcd xrcs

h rqrs cr d sk. Y my w

prfss sssc. Pbc hh s r src

f dd srcs. Y d sr h:

h crrc m f bch s sd

fr yr w s mch r c

cs prbms

frs r rmvd

w wr d yr r wr dsrb

sysm s 12 hrs cc m wh hchr

chrd wr s prpry d sfy drd

frm h sysm ( h spc sysm!)

w wr s csmd y hv s

hr bcr-fr ss cdcd s wk pr.


Exercise care in

shocking your well.

A well contaminated by bacteria can be

disinfected by shocking it with chlorine bleach.

Shock chlorination involves adding the correct

amount of chlorine to the water in the well and

leaving it in place for at least 12 hours.

WaterQy


26/34

Em the cause

If you have contaminated water, begin by considering the possible sourcesof contamination. Reducing or eliminating contaminants at the source is

the best place to start.

Nx, k csr k yr w. If yr w wr cy xcds

drk wr sdrds fr bcr, hr s ky src f bcr

ffc yr w. Ar hr dfcs h c, csrc, rmc f yr w h cd cc fr h cm? S h

prvs scs f hs bk. Addrss y prbms y dfy.

If y c dc h cs f h prbm, br MOE-csd w

crcr rh wy.

Y my b b sv yrsf f my by hr MOE-csdw crcr sv h prbm sd f by hm wr

rm dvc. Trm c b bfc my v b cssry

sm crcmscs. B rm shd b h f p, fr k

sps rdc cms d mprv yr w.


37

TWaterQy


27/34


ForbcrIf your water is contaminated, it is better to remove the source of the

contamination than to treat the water. However, if the problem cannot be

solved at the source, a number of water disinfection systems are available.

Each system requires routine maintenance. Refer to the owners manual.

Regular testing of your water must continue.

Chlorinators csy dd chr yr wr dsrb sysm,w sffc cc m fr h chr k h bcr. Ths s

ms b chckd f sr h h rh m f chr s b ddd.

Ultra-violet (UV) light filters s UV h k bcr, vrss, ds prz sch s Cryptosporidium d Giardia pr-frd wr.

A Css A sysm s rqrd (NSF 55). Pr-fr f wr s ry rqrd

fr hs rm wrk prpry. Th h ds b rpcd rry.

Drk wr ds b rfrrd fr rm.

Distillers b wr, h cds h vpr d cc hrcmprm. Bcr d mrs r rmvd, d sm chmcs. Wr

shd b frd bfr rm d rfrrd frwrds. Sdrd s

NSF 62.

Ozonators jc sm ms f z s wr k ms bcr.Trd drk wr shd b rfrrd.

Trm systems

Household Water Treatment System

From Well

Pre-filter of fine particles

Ultra-violet (UV) light treatmentTo House

WaterQy


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Forhr cms

WArnIng: the followi teatmet systems

do ot kill bacteia.

Reverse osmosis rmvs sm chmcs b bcr by psspr-frd wr hrh mmbr. Ths prcss, whch rmvs rc

chmcs sch s chrd d r, s f sd cmb wh crb

frs. Rvrs smss wss r ms f wr, whch cd b ccr

f wr spps r md r h spc k s vr-brdd. A p s

s RO y fr drk wr.

Activated carbon filters (pchr sy, p-md, r dr-sk) cmprv s d dr d rmv rc chmcs. Sdrd s NSF 42.

Lrr sysms, f sd s pr-rm fr rvrs smss d wr

sf sysms, rmv v rc cmpds. Sdrd s NSF 5.

WArnIng: bacteia ca be tapped ad multiply i

a cabo filte. reula maiteace is equied.

Ion exchange water softeners shd rmv ccm d msmhrdss. Sdrd s NSF 44.

Hi i


29/34

Sm ps: Ask s h cc. Cfrm h h cc

s p d wh h Or Msry f hEvrm.

G mr h csd crcr prvd y wh dvc, dd wr

dscrp f h prpsd wrk (..,xpcd w dph, rs, xr srvcs),d sm f h cs.

G rfrcs d rvw ps wrkbfr mk f dcs. Ask h csdcrcrs h xpcs f wr qy

d qy yr r d cfrm hs whyr hbrs.

G sd rm wr f hr ry chs h wrk d cs.

Py prmpy wh h wrk s cmpd sdscrbd h rm.

Cc h Or Grd Wr Asscd/r yr Or Msry f hEvrm dsrc ffc f y hv yqss r ccrs b h qfcsr wrk prcdrs f crcrs.

Kp dcms r yr w, pmp,

pmp s, d mc.


Hiring a crcr

Alwayshr MOE-csd crcrAs set out inRegulation 903, a licensed well contractor or pump installer must betrained and certified according to standards set by the Ontario Ministry of theEnvironment.

Y ll d


30/34


General resources and contacts:

www.wwr.c. A pr wbs fr prv w wrs. Icds vrs f h WellAwarebk d ks frhr rsrcs.

Or Grd Wr Assc. Mmbrshp cds csd w drrs d pmp srs,mfcrrs d spprs, d rdwr scss d rs. See: www.w.cContact: (51) 245-714; fx: (51) 245-716; [email protected]

Or Msry f h Evrm. W-rd pbcs r vb :www..v..c/wr.hm See: www..v..c fr ks r d dsrc MOE ffcs, dcs d rs, cd Regulation 903.

Gr Cmms Cd. A mbr rp fr cmmy -prf rzs hdvr vrm prrms d srvcs. Cc GCC fr bk rdrs f h Well Awarebk,d fr rfrrs prcp c w swrdshp cvs. See: www.rcmmscd.r

Contact: (75) 745-747; fx: (75) 745-724; [email protected]

Resources continued on page 28

Resources

Wh w wks f fsh yr w, h w crcr ms prvd y wh cpy fyr wr w rcrd h frm prscrbd by h Msry f h Evrm. Ech w

ms hv s w w rcrd. Cs cd csrc ds, wr yd s rss,

sc wr v, d c h dscrbs h s d/r bdrck cds d

rphc c.

Th w rcrd ms b pdd wh h dph f h w s chd r h w s prdd

r pd d sd.

If y d hv rcrd(s) fr yr xs w(s), y c rdr hm frm h Msry fr

$2 f. C 1-888-6-55. W rcrds r rd dr h m f h r w wr.

Kp yr w rcrds sf pc, f wh pprs r h w. Mk cps

v crcrs. Kp hm wh s rss, vcs d dscrps f wrk cmpd,

fr d rm sysm ms, srvc rcrds, d rfrc mrs k hs bk.Rcrds shd b prvdd w wrs s f h prpry.

Yr water wellrcrds

Resources ti d


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ResourcescontinuedWell Aware: A Well Owners Video. A cmp h Well Awarebk, fr CBC sccjrs Bb McDd. Ordr frm h Or Grd Wr Assc (s bv). $17.2 ch,

cds shpp, hd, d xs.

Best Management Practices: Water Wells. Arcr Cd d h Or Msry f Arcrd Fd. Exc src. Avb www.mfr.v..c/sh/vrm/bmp/srs.hm#Ws See:Best Management Practices: Water Wells.

Evrm Cd fcshs d hr rsrcs. See: www.c.c.c/wr

Well records.Avb fr $2 f frm h Or Msry f h Evrm.C 1-888-6-55. W rcrds r rd dr h m f h r w wr.

Water testing.Pbc hh s s fr bcr. Fr h hh rs y,k dr Hh h b ps f yr ph drcry. Th Or Fdr fArcr Rr Wr Qy Ts Prrm prvds cfd s fr mbr fp cms, cd pscds, fs, mrs, ms, svs, fs. C 1-8-668-276; r s: www.f..c/wr

Water treatment devices. S Hh Cd, www.hc-sc.c.c. Srch fr: Water talk Water treatmentdevices for disinfection of drinking water; Water treatment devices for the removal of taste, odour and chemicals;What's in your well? a guide to well water treatment and maintenance.

Water quantity and conservation.Household Guide to Water Efficiency, Cd Mr dHs Crpr, 2. C 1-8-668-2642; r s: www.cmhc-sch.c.c Managing your water well intimes of water shortage. Or Msry f h Evrm. C 1-8-565-42; rs: www..v..c

Septic systems.A Guide To Operating and Maintaining Your Septic System. Avb frmMsry f Mcp Affrs d Hs. C 1-416-585-6666 r dwd :www.bc.mh.v..c/srfs/HTML/s_4_7724_1.hm Septic System Maintenance Pure and Simple,

vd, brchr, d psrs, Evrm Hh Fd f Cd.See:www.hfc.c/spc.hm fr rdr frm.

Agricultural best practices.Th Evrm Frm P hs fshs d wrkshs pcs schs pscd, f, d frzr sr, d spcs f r mm.See: www.mfr.v..c/ fr frm EFP. Scr dw fr fshs.Fr mr frm d ds f EFP wrkshps yr r, c: Or S d Crp Imprvm

Assc, 1-8-265-751.

Wat q alit d


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Date Tested: Parameters: Result:

Water qualitys dry

2006-08-04 minerals / metals / bacteriaSample normal


Well maintenance dry


33/34

Date Completed: Action:

Well maintenancedry

2006-08-04 extended casing above ground, landscaped aroundSample



34/34

Supported by: onai Gn Wa Assciain, onai Fain f Agicl, Gn Cmmniis Canaa,

Cnsvain onai, Assciain f Sviss f plic Halh Inscs f onai.

Be Well Aware

Checklist new wells are properly

constructed and located a safedistance from contaminants

existing wells are properlyinspected, maintained, andupgraded as necessary

potential contaminants are kept

a safe distance from your well

well water is regularly tested forbacteria, and is screenedinitially and periodically forother contaminants

unused wells are properlyplugged and sealed

Take care of your well and your

groundwater for the sake ofyour family, your neighbours, andfuture generations.

onai GnWa Assciain

Documents

Well Aware: a 30-page guide to caring for your well