The final and complete well water quality test results were received today. Satisfactory preliminary results were received on April 29 before settlement. We purchased a test kit from Water Testing Labs of Maryland, 1000 Butterworth Court, Stevensville, MD 21666, 410-643-7711. The kit was their “Watertest plus pesticide option test kit” for $475 (http://store.wtlmd.com/watertestpluspesticideoption.aspx). It is a comprehensive testing kit covering 95 different tests for: metals, inorganics, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and organic chemicals including pesticides, herbicides and PCBs. The kit includes the sample collecting bottles, instructions, and return shipping container (you pay return shipping). You collect the samples yourself and ship them back immediately according to their instructions. On April 16, I drew the samples directly from the water when the well hole was drilled and the well drillers were pumping water from the well onto the surface for their yield testing.
A copy of the test results is below. There were the following anomalies in the test results.
Coliforms: The presence of coliforms was expected as they are introduced temporarily with the well drilling equipment at the surface. When the well system is fully contained and operational, this test will be performed again where the water enters the home.
Silica: The measured value was 32 mg/L. There is no EPA standard for silica. “The silica [silicon dioxide] content in natural waters is commonly in the 5 to 25 mg/L range, although concentrations over 100mg/L occur in some areas.” Reference link.
Sodium: The measured value was 6 mg/L. There is no EPA standard for sodium. “However, the EPA has recommended that sodium levels in water not exceed 20 mg/L for individuals on no-salt diets.” Reference link.
Alkalinity: The measured value was 100 mg/L. There is no EPA standard for alkalinity. “Strong alkaline water has an objectionable "soda" taste. The EPA Secondary Drinking Water Regulations limit alkalinity only in terms of total dissolved solids (500 ppm) and to some extent by the limitation on pH.” Reference link.
Hardness: The hardness shows 130 mg/L which is in the low end of the “Hard” range of 120-180 mg/L as classified by the U.S. Department of Interior and the Water Quality Association. Hardness is primarily due to dissolved calcium and magnesium which shows as 18.3 mg/L and 19.63 mg/L, respectively, in the test results. Reference link.
pH: The pH measured 6.4, slightly acidic. “It [pH] is classified as a secondary drinking water contaminant whose impact is considered aesthetic. However, the EPA recommends that public water systems maintain pH levels of between 6.5 and 8.5, a good guide for individual well owners.” Reference link.
Acetone: The measured value was 0.02 mg/L. There is no EPA standard, however, the state of New Hampshire has identified health limits, indicating that 6 mg/L is a max tolerable level and our test results show 0.02 milligrams/L which is well under that that level. Acetone is primarily used as an industrial solvent and is found in paints, varnishes, and lacquers. It is used as a solvent for cements in the leather and rubber industries. Also, acetone is a natural metabolism product of plants and animals, including humans. Reference link.
Tetrahydrofuran (THF): The measured value was 0.27 mg/L. There is no EPA standard, however, the state of New Hampshire has identified health limits, indicating that 0.154 mg/L is a max tolerable level and our test results show 0.270 mg/L which exceeds that level. “THF is also in adhesives used to join plastic pipe for well construction and water treatment systems. Therefore, water samples collected after recent repair of water supply piping may detect THF leaching from this source.” I contacted our well driller, Michael Barlow Well Drilling, and they said “We do use PVC glue to join the casing and it is not uncommon to see residue of that glue show up in a VOC test of a newly drilled well. We usually see Toluene, but if PVC glue also contains THF, that could be a source as well. In the past, we have seen those levels be significantly reduced by chlorinating the well then purging the chlorine out, something that will be done after the pump has been installed in the well. I would recommend retesting for THF afterward. If it persists, then a local source may be the problem and you would have to install a charcoal filter to remove it.” Reference link.
