WELL WATER TESTS RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 -- 1:33 PM
The spring thaw is a great time to test your well water."There's a great deal of infiltration and water movement," explains Mark Putra with the DNR,
"Historically, we know there are changes in water quality in the
spring. It's a good time to test your water."
Municipal water supplies are tested frequently, but private wells should also be tested at least once a year.
It's pretty simple, Putra notes.
"You can obtain an appropriate bottle?and within a matter of five to ten minutes, you can collect the sample. It's relatively straightforward," Putra says.
The most common contaminants are simple bacteria, but wells located in agricultural areas may experience pesticide or fertilizer contamination.
"Testing your water for nitrates is a particularly good idea if you have small children or if you have a pregnant woman that are consuming the water at your residence," according to Putra.
Tests for pesticides, herbicides and arsenic might also make sense, depending on where you live.
Putra says an estimated 10-12% exceed the nitrate standards.
If your well water smells like rotten eggs or iron, don't worry. It's likely a harmless iron or sulfur bacteria problem.
Nearly 1-million Wisconsin households get their drinking water from private wells.
[url=http://wi.water.usgs.gov/gwcomp/]Wisconsin Water Site[/url]
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