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Does your drinking water come from a private well?
Do you know what's in it?
Is it safe for you and your family to drink?
When was the last time you had your private well water tested?
5 years ago - 10 years ago - never !!
We can help. If you have concerns about your private well water
supply you can contact us for help.
There is estimated to be in excess of 5,000 private drinking water
wells in St. Charles County. Many of those wells are more than 20
years old and were built before any minimum construction standards
were established by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Whether old or new, the bacteriological and chemical quality of the
water produced by private wells is not required to be routinely tested
by anyone. Therefore, it's up to you.
What to Test For
Bacteria
The most common test used to check the quality of all drinking water
is the sample for coliform bacteria. This broad category of bacteria
is associated with fecal waste of human and other animal origin.
Its presence in well water indicates that contaminated surface water
or septic tank effluent may be getting into a well. The design of
a well is intended to keep surface water out but various types of
water-tight seals used on wells can dry out, crack, and leak over
time.
.
Nitrate
The presence of high nitrate levels in well water is generally an
indication of surface water contamination entering the well. Nitrate
levels above 10 parts per million (expressed as nitrogen) are of
particular concern if infants will be consuming the water. The digestive
system of infants converts nitrate into nitrite which interferes
with the blood's ability to carry normal amounts of oxygen, a condition
known as methemoglobinemia.
.
Fluoride
Naturally occurring fluoride may or may not be present in your well
water depending on the composition of the bedrock through which
the water flows. Fluoride plays an important role in the reduction
of tooth decay and the optimum amount in drinking water is 1.0 parts
per million. Excessive amounts have been shown to cause a brown
mottling discoloration of the teeth. Most well water in St. Charles
County is very low in fluoride but some localized areas have levels
exceeding 3.0 p.p.m. Many pediatricians request parents of their
young patients to have private well water tested for fluoride.
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Other chemicals
A variety of chemical tests are available to help determine the
cause of specific problems associated with individual well water
supplies.
For example:
How Often to Test
The Missouri Department of Health recommends that all private well
water supplies be tested for coliform bacteria at least once a year.
New wells should also be tested for a standard series of common
chemicals in order to establish a baseline of drinking water quality.
Routine testing for specific chemicals may be appropriate on an
individual basis. Remember that a well is a man-made hole in the
ground that interacts with Mother Nature. Conditions can change
over time that affects the safety of the water you drink from any
source. But. the quality of private well water is tested only
when you have it tested.
What Does It Cost
The Missouri Department of Health Laboratory provides appropriate
bacteriological and chemical testing for private drinking water
supplies. They supply the County Department of Community Health
and the Environment with approved sampling containers which we provide
at no charge to you. After the water sample is analyzed by the state
laboratory they will bill you a standard fee per sample. Currently
that standard fee is $10.00 per sample.
What If I'm on a Public Water Supply
If your drinking water comes from a public water supply
such as: city, municipal, county water district, subdivision community
well, mobile home park community well, etc., then it is already
tested routinely by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
(DNR). The results of those tests are available by contacting that
state agency (DNR).
To Sum Up
Information on private well testing and public water testing can
be found on the Department of Community Health and the Environment
Website listed below. This newsletter is also available online.
Once again, if you have questions or concerns about your private
drinking water supply, contact
us - we can help. We also have a section on our website dedicated
to water supply. Please click here
to go there now.
St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment
1650 Boone's Lick Road
St. Charles, Missouri 63301
636-949-7477 Telephone
636-949-7403 FAX
Website - www.scchealth.org
Email - health@mail.win.org
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