Florence County
Health Department
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Water Well Testing
Private Water Testing
Now Available from the Florence County Health Department
Water testing is an inexpensive and effective way of
assuring a safe and healthy water supply. It’s estimated
that 20-25% of Wisconsin wells have bacterial
contamination. Florence County Health Department
advises all private well owners to have their well water
tested for coliform bacteria and nitrates annually,
especially if infants under six months of age or women of
childbearing age are drinking the water, or sooner if
changes in taste, odor or appearance are noticed, or
there is an unexplained illness.
The Florence County Health Department’s Water
Analysis Lab is certified by Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to
conduct bacteriological testing of public and private
(wells) drinking water. The lab also monitors the public
drinking water supplies of facilities involved in Florence
County’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
transient non-community water (TNC) systems
program.
To maintain state certification, the laboratory conducts
required proficiency testing and completes quality
assurance and quality control exercises on a daily basis.
Florence County Health Department’s Water Analysis
Lab provides convenient, reliable, and reasonably priced
well water testing for both home and vacation
properties. This service is available to anyone; you do
not need to be a resident of Florence County. Lab tests
completed on-site include coliform and E-Coli bacteria,
with definitive results within 48 hours. Through a
partnership with UW-Oshkosh, Florence County Health
Department’s Water Analysis Lab offers additional
testing options including nitrates. Additional types of
water testing can be completed by other state and public
labs, information and test kits from other public labs are
available at the front desk, fees may apply.
Florence County Public Health Department Water
Fees:
Coliform Bacteria $30.00
** Other testing options available, fees vary by lab.
Monday through Thursday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
*Schedule is subject to change during holidays.
You may also contact one of the environmental health
team members at the health department for further
questions:
•
Contact the Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator/Registered Sanitarian
akolberg@florencecountywi.gov
Well Owner Tip Sheet
Additional Information:
•
Tests for Drinking Water for Private Wells
•
Operators Handbook on Safe Drinking Water for
Transient, Non-Community Water Systems
•
Bacterial Contamination of Drinking Water
•
Nitrate In Drinking Water
•
DNR Drinking Water Systems Look UP
The state requires only that you test for bacteria when
drilling a new well or changing your pump, however
there are many other contaminants that can be harmful
to your family's health. Several contaminants are
odorless and colorless and can only be detected by
testing. Some tests that should be done are: bacteria,
nitrates, pesticides, arsenic, lead, copper and others
depending on your area. To obtain a water test kit stop
in, call 715-528-4837.
For more information see DNR Ground Water.
NITRATE
What is Nitrate?
Nitrate (NO3-) is a water-soluble molecule made up of
nitrogen and oxygen. It is formed when nitrogen from
ammonia or other sources combines with oxygenated
water. Nitrate is a natural constituent of plants and is
found in vegetables at varying levels depending on the
amount of fertilizer applied and on other growing
conditions. According to the World Health Organization,
most adults ingest 20-70 milligrams of nitrate- nitrogen
per day with most of this coming from foods like lettuce,
celery, beets, and spinach. When foods containing nitrate
are eaten as part of a balanced diet the nitrate exposure
is not thought to be harmful.
Nitrate Levels in Drinking Water
Water naturally contains less than 1 milligram of nitrate-
nitrogen per liter and is not a major source of exposure.
Higher levels indicate that the water has been
contaminated. Common sources of nitrate
contamination include fertilizers, animal wastes, septic
tanks, municipal sewage treatment systems, and
decaying plant debris.
The ability of nitrate to enter well water depends on the
type of soil and bedrock present, and on the depth and
construction of the well. State and federal laws set the
maximum allowable level of nitrate-nitrogen in public
drinking water at 10 milligrams per liter (10 parts per
million). These laws apply to all city and village water
supplies and are used as an advisory for private wells.
NITRATE BROCHURE from Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources.
LEAD
Standards for Lead in Drinking Water
Frequently asked questions about lead in drinking water,
and links to the federal on the Safe Drinking Water Act
can be found on the CDC website.
ARSENIC
Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in soil and
bedrock formation. Traces of arsenic are also found in
groundwater, lakes, rivers and ocean water. Foods like
fruits, vegetables and seafood can also contain arsenic.
The major source of arsenic exposure is drinking water
that contains elevated levels of arsenic. The new arsenic
drinking water standard is 10 parts per billion (ppb).
Consumption of arsenic contaminated water has been
associated with the following possible health effects:
skin cancer, internal cancers, thick rough skin on hands
and feet, unusual skin pigmentation, numbness in hands
and feet, circulatory disorders, tremors, stomach pain,
nausea, diarrhea, diabetes and depression.
In early 2016, the Health Department received grant
funding to provide a limited number of free arsenic tests
to Florence residents. During the project period,
Florence County Health Department distributed 100
sample bottles to homeowners. Of those 100 samples
given, 88 were returned and tested. Arsenic in water is
measured in micrograms per liter (µg/L). Arsenic levels
under 10 µg/L are safe for drinking and cooking. In their
sample, the average level of arsenic was 7.83 µg/L, and
the median level was 2.16 µg/L. The health department
created a fact sheet to outline the results
Arsenic has been detected in every county in the state of
Wisconsin. You cannot smell, taste or see arsenic in your
drinking water. The only way to know if your water
contains arsenic is to have a water sample from your
private well tested by a certified laboratory. A list of
certified labs is available from the DNR online at: Lab
List.
Use this guide to interpret the results of your test and
for suggestions and contacts to help fix the problem if
you water test shows high arsenic content.
Finding a Contractor
A qualified water well system professional will be
licensed or certified, and have the knowledge, skills, and
equipment to meet your well's needs.
http://wellowner.org/
So, what are some signs your well
might need some attention?
•
The well water is turbid, which means it is cloudy or
has suspended matter in it.
•
There has been a decrease in the well’s capacity —
that is, the gallons of water per minute that the
pump can supply to the system has diminished.
•
The water has developed an odor or taste problem.
•
The water tests positive for total coliform and/or
overall biological activity.
How is my well system cleaned?
Some well owners view chlorination as a cure-all for
water quality problems. While chlorination might
temporarily prevent taste and odor problems, it leaves
behind debris or accumulated organic material. Such
debris or material provides a food source for future
bacterial growth. Chlorination may therefore be
ineffective in the long run.
There are two basic approaches to well cleaning —
mechanical and chemical, with the most effective
strategy often being a combination of the two. Within
both the chemical and mechanical methods is an array of
options. A water well system contractor is best qualified
to help the well owner decide which methods to use,
depending on the condition of the well.
Mechanical processes for loosening debris and/or
encrustations and removing them from the well
include:
•
Pressurized air or water
•
Wire brushes or scrapers
•
Agitation of water in the well
•
Sonic waves
Chemical cleaning often involves the use of various acids
to loosen or dissolve debris so that it can be pumped out
of the well. Depending on the nature of the cleaning job,
there are also polymers and “caustic” chemicals (that
increase the alkalinity of the water) to remove debris.
The age of a well may determine which methods are
used to clean it. If a well’s water intake areas or the well
casing have corroded significantly over time, they may
be damaged or destroyed by more aggressive cleaning
practices. In such cases, a well owner may opt to
proceed directly to new well construction or prepare for
that option if cleaning is ineffective.
*Note: Well cleaning should be followed immediately by
a thorough disinfection of the well system and its
immediate environment. Disinfection of the well should
be completed by the water well contractor to ensure that
it is done properly.
How much can I expect to spend?
The costs of cleaning and maintaining your well can
widely vary depending on location, the age of your well,
and your specific needs. For example, an inspection of
your well could run between $300 and $500. If a
professional determines your well needs cleaning, that
could run anywhere from $200-$800.
As always, proper well maintenance is the key to
extended pump and water treatment system life, and
reduced impacts on plumbing fixtures and appliances.
NGWA encourages well owners to periodically get a
water well system checkup that considers, among other
things, whether the well system needs cleaning.
Where can I learn more?
•
Residential well cleaning on WellOwner.org.
•
If you have any suggestions on additional topics
you’d like to see us cover, please feel free to respond
to this email or send a note directly to
amartin@ngwa.org anytime.
Test
Test — NGWA recommends well
owners test their water annually
for bacteria, nitrates, and other
contaminants. A great local
resource for testing is your
health or environmental health
department as each will recommend the type and
frequency of testing specific to your location.
Tend
Tend — Routine maintenance
and inspection of water wells
can help protect water quality,
ensure your well is operating
properly, prolong the useful life
of the well system, and protect
your investment. More importantly, regular maintenance
can also protect your health. At a minimum, your well
should be evaluated annually by a licensed or certified
water well systems professional. For more information
on what this annual test should include, how to find a
professional, and how to monitor your well’s
performance, please visit our maintenance page.
Treat
Treat — Water quality problems
can be divided into two broad
categories:(1) those that present
aesthetic concerns, such as
undesirable tastes, odors, or
appearance. (2) those that
present a health risk. When treating the cause of water
quality problems is not possible, water treatment is a
great option. To find out more about common
treatments and related issues, including detailed FAQs,
please visit our water treatment page.
Looking for a video to sum this all up?
Here you go! NGWA Test, Tend, and Treat.
Water Well Maintenance
101
A popular TV commercial in the 1970s featured a
mechanic who held up a clogged oil filter and said,
sternly, “You can pay me now or pay me later.” The
implication was clear: Buying a replacement filter is a
cost, but it’s a lot less costly than engine failure caused
by poor maintenance.
Similarly, neglecting water well maintenance can have
disastrous results, including a catastrophic system
failure and susceptibility to outside contamination that
fouls the water or presents a health risk.
It pays to be wise about well maintenance. Following are
some key questions and answers:
Who’s qualified to perform water well
maintenance?
It’s best to use a water well system professional licensed
or registered to conduct well maintenance. Some of
these professionals also are members of or certified by
the National Ground Water Association. You can find
lists of professionals here.
Well owners shouldn’t attempt to perform such
maintenance. Those who do risk damaging the well
system or injuring themselves. Neither are professional
plumbers geared toward water well work and likely lack
the skills, knowledge, experience, and equipment to
diagnose and fix water well system problems.
What does basic water well
maintenance involve?
For the well owner, it begins with observing portions of
well system that are visible, such as:
•
The well casing that protrudes from the ground
•
The well cap on top of the casing
•
The electrical conduit connection
•
Hazardous household substances near the well
•
Pooling water around the well
•
Plant growth encroaching on the well
•
Physical hazards that could damage the well (i.e.,
tractor mowers, vehicles)If you see evidence of well
system deterioration or a hazard, consult a water
well professional about next steps.
Also consult a water well professional if there is a
noticeable change in water quality, a water test indicates
a problem, water pressure drops or fluctuates, the flow
of water into the well decreases, and the well needs
disinfection.
When should well maintenance
be performed?
Well maintenance may be indicated if there is a
noticeable problem with water quality or the
performance of the well system, and if there is visible
deterioration of the well system. Beyond that, an annual
well inspection is wise to make sure any maintenance
problems are detected early.
Where can I find a well maintenance schedule and
someone to maintain my well system? Well systems
don’t have maintenance schedules such as those that
come with cars. Well systems consist of parts made by
different manufacturers, so individual well system
components may have their own maintenance
recommendations and warranties.
The best way to stay on top of well maintenance is to get
an annual well system inspection. Click here to find a
water well professional who can conduct a well
inspection. Also, a Well Owner’s Manual developed by
the National Ground Water Association allows you to set
automatic email reminders to get your well inspected or
check specific maintenance issues.
Why can’t I shock chlorinate my well as
part of my regular well maintenance?
First, shock chlorination is a well disinfection procedure
best done by a water well system professional because
of the many precise steps involved. Proper shock
chlorination is effective against microorganisms but
does not address other water quality issues.
Furthermore, if there is a breach in the well system
allowing bacteria in, disinfection will not be effective
and the breach must be fixed.
Florence County, Wisconsin