Robyn Stewart
By Robyn Stewart
All living creatures require access to clean, fresh water in order to sustain biological functions. Public water systems are monitored and treated by the government to ensure they are safe for human consumption. In rural areas of Georgia many residents rely on private water systems, predominantly wells. While the majority of water sourced from wells is safe for consumption, state law and regulatory agencies do not require quality monitoring of private water sources. The 2009 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that one in five private wells contain contaminants at amounts exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) human health benchmarks, half of all wells had at least one issue, and one in three wells had microbial contamination. The use of water testing through an agency like the University of Georgia’s Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory can help identify any contaminants in a privately owned water source and provide guidance on how to treat potential water quality issues.
Many wells if constructed and maintained appropriately can supply clean water for years with no issues. However, it is not unusual for a well to be poorly maintained, become damaged, or deteriorate over time. It is recommended to evaluate the well structure annually to ensure that there are no issues such as leaks, broken well caps, or anything that could allow contaminates to enter the water supply. New wells and older wells coming back into use after a period of inactivity should be tested prior to consumption of their water. All well users should test their water annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. Additional testing is available if other contaminants are suspected.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for a variety of chemical substances that can have a negative effect on water quality. Water with high levels of contaminants can smell, look, and taste fine, where unpleasant-appearing water can be safe. The only way to truly know if there are issues with your water quality are to submit a laboratory test sample. There are three primary contaminants of concern in Lincoln County. The first two are total coliform bacteria and E. Coli. These contaminants can come from dirty surface water, a leaking septic system, animal waste, and other sources. Many times, contamination with these bacteria can show an issue with well structural maintenance. The presence of total coliform bacteria on their own does not definitively indicate that drinking the water will cause an illness, but it does indicate that disease-causing bacteria may be present. The positive test of total coliform bacteria along with a positive test for E.Coli indicates that there are definitely disease-causing microbes in your water source and you will need to treat the well, typically by chlorine shock. The third contaminant of concern is radon, which we see predominantly in the north Georgia region. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the decay of uranium and radium found in underground rocks. The predominant method of exposure to radon is through its presence in home air, but in our region there is a risk of radon in well water. Ingesting radon in high amounts can contribute to the development of several cancers. It is recommended that private well users test for radon at least once when they start use of the well and follow up with annual tests.
For more information, please reach out to the Lincoln County Extension Office. We are happy to provide water testing supplies, literature, interpretation of test results, and recommendations on how to treat water quality issues. Water samples are $25 for a basic test and must be taken and submitted Monday through Wednesday before 2PM in order to be received by the UGA Lab in a timely manner.
Information supplemented by UGA Publications: Testing for Water Quality; Household Water Quality: Coliform Bacteria in Your Water; and Your Household Water Quality: Radon in Your Water.
