National Groundwater Awareness Week March 5-11, 2017

Groundwater Awareness Week: March 5-11, 2017

Groundwater Protection

All people by their living habits can protect or harm groundwater — our nation has the world's most abundant freshwater supply. The first step toward protecting groundwater is to become aware of how it can be contaminated. The second step is to do your part to keep from contaminating groundwater.

44 percent of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply — be it from either a public source or private well. In rural areas, the number is about 96 percent, that fact alone justifies the need for National Groundwater Awareness Week and reason enough to act to protect groundwater. Another reason is that contaminated groundwater can harm the environment, including the ecosystems that depend on groundwater.

Well Ownership - Is Your Water Safe?

Millions of people are growing more concerned about the quality of the water flowing from their tap. Across the country, it seems that we are constantly hearing about water contamination. So, it is natural to begin to wonder, “Is my water safe to drink?”

Various geologic conditions, such as fractured bedrock or shallow groundwater tables, can allow bacteria or viruses to reach the groundwater. This is why it is essential to also have the home’s water well system regularly checked.

Spring is a good season to have an annual water well checkup before the peak water use season begins, according to the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

"Time to schedule your annual water well checkup!"

Just as you check your furnace or smoke detector batteries seasonally, spring is a good season to have an annual water well checkup before the peak water use season begins, according to the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

Why is it a good idea to have my water well checked annually?

An annual checkup by a qualified water well contractor is the best way to ensure problem-free service and quality water.

Also, preventative maintenance usually is less costly than emergency maintenance, and good well maintenance — like good car maintenance — can prolong the life of your well and related equipment. NGWA further recommends you test your water whenever there is a change in taste, odor, or appearance, or when the system is serviced.

Schedule your annual water well checkup

Wells can provide high-quality drinking water, and about half the U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells. But with well ownership comes the responsibility of keeping the water well in good working order. Only about 50 percent of the wells, springs, and cisterns in Pennsylvania have been properly tested by a state-certified testing laboratory. As a result, homeowners are often unaware of many symptomless water quality problems. A check of your well by a qualified water well contractor may include:

• A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping (if possible), pump motor performance (check amp load, grounding, and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contact, and general water quality (odor, cloudiness, etc.).
• A well equipment inspection to assure it’s sanitary and meets local code.
• A test of your water for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides, and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor.

How to find a contractor

Prior to selecting a water well contractor, it is wise to obtain information about several contractors in the area before making a choice. Some considerations for selecting water well contractor:

• If your state licenses contractors, make sure you select a licensed contractor to perform the work.
• Is the contractor a member of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and/or certified by NGWA? Find out by checking NGWA’s Contractor Lookup. Certification by or membership in NGWA indicates the contractor’s investment in professionalism by joining an association dedicated to supporting and enhancing the expertise of members through continuing education and information exchange.
• What record(s) will the contractor give you upon construction of a well (i.e., a well log, well construction report)?
• Does the contractor have adequate liability and worker’s compensation insurance to protect you?
• Ask the contractor for references from previous customers.
• Will the contractor furnish a written contract, specifying the terms and conditions of the job?

The NGWA also recommends that well owners:

• Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your well, and maintain a "clean" zone of at least 50 feet between your well and any kennels and livestock operations.
• Maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste systems, and chemical storage areas.
• Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
• Keep your well records in a safe place. These include the construction report, and annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.

Testing Your Drinking Water

Homeowners using wells, springs or cisterns as their water supply should consider having their water tested routinely.

Seven Reasons to Test Your Drinking Water

More than one million homes are served by private water supplies (wells, springs, or cisterns) in Pennsylvania. Homeowners using this type of water supply should consider having it tested for the following reasons:

1. Unlike public water systems, private water supply testing is the voluntary responsibility of the homeowner. There are no government agencies or programs that routinely test private water systems for homeowners.

2. Surveys indicate that about half of the private water supplies have never been tested.

3. Additional studies have found that about 50 percent of private water systems fail at least one drinking water standard.

4. Many pollutants found in private water systems have no obvious symptoms and can only be detected through laboratory testing.

5. Water testing is generally economical and convenient with many testing laboratories located throughout the state.

6. Water testing provides vital information to document the quality of your drinking water. Data from previous tests may be necessary if you ever need to prove in court that a nearby land use has damaged your drinking water quality.

7. The only way homeowners can be certain that their water is safe to drink is to have the water tested periodically.

Where to Get Drinking Water Tested

Certified water testing labs are available throughout the state to provide accurate water quality results for homeowners.

It is important that all water tests be performed by a certified water testing laboratory. Be cautious of water test results from any uncertified lab or from water treatment salespeople. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a current listing of accredited drinking water testing laboratories. You can search for environmental laboratories or find a quick-reference specifically for drinking water labs on their website.

Water testing on private water supplies is also available through the Penn State Agricultural Analytical Laboratory. Drinking water test kits are now available at participating county cooperative extension offices or directly from the Agricultural Analytical Services lab, http://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/water-testing/drinking-water-testing.

These tips and more are available from sources such as a state groundwater or water well association, NGWA, or from your county agricultural extension agent or state government agency with responsibility for groundwater. A convenient source for a broader understanding of our groundwater protector role can be found at www.wellowner.org, a Web service of NGWA.

National Groundwater Awareness Week is not a celebration such as the Fourth of July has become. Instead, we should use the week to reflect more deeply on groundwater's value and its contributions to our lives.

Look for the H2OSolutions Icon in Your Mobile Device Store

H2O Solutions App

Penn State Extension has completed work on a mobile device App called “H2O Solutions” to help private water system owners and professionals evaluate wells, springs and cisterns. The overall objective of the App is to help users diagnose the causes of observed water quality problems and guide water testing decisions.

PA-DEP Accredited Laboratories

Chester County

Lionville Laboratory A Division of Eberline Analytical Corp - 610-280-3000

264 Welsh Pool Road

Exton PA 19341

Advise Laboratories Inc. - 610-624-1775

3719 Garrett Road

Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Brandywine Science Center, Inc. - 610-444-9850

204A Line Road

Kennett Square, PA 19348

H.O. Thompson Testing Lab - 610-593-5030

104 Valley View Drive

Parkesburg, PA 19365

Nearby Counties

Berks County

M. J. Reider Associates - 610-374-5129

107 Angelica Street, Reading, PA 19611

QC Inc. – Reading Division - 215-355-3900

833 North Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610

Suburban Water Testing Labs, Inc. - 610-929-3666

4600 Kutztown Road, Temple, PA 19560

Bucks County

Analytical Laboratories, Inc.- 215-723-6466

4208 Old Bethlehem Pike, Telford, PA 18969

Hydrodyne Analyses - 215-257-7542

6 Audrey Lane, Silverdale, PA 18962

Quakertown Veterinary Clinic

2250 N. Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown, PA 18951

QC, Inc. - 215-355-3900

1205 Industrial Highway, Southampton, PA 18966

Lancaster County

American Testing Laboratories, Inc. - 717-569-0488

784 Flory Mill Rd, Lancaster, PA 17604

Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Environmental LLC - 717-656-2300

2425 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601

Owl Hill Laboratories - 717-627-2520

9 Cindy Circle, Lititz, PA 17543

Lehigh County

Benchmark Analytics - 610-974-8100

4777 Saucon Creek Rd, Center Valley, PA 18034

Montgomery County

Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. - 610-525-1400

762 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010