Water Testing

Small organisms that get into your well in many ways, during the initial digging of the well, from the ground surrounding the well, from a septic system near by, or from foreign matter being introduced into the well.

Health Effects: Bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illnesses leading to vomiting and diarrhea and can compromise the immune system.

A metal found in natural deposits of ore. It is used in metal plating and coating and can be found in nickel-cadmium batteries and some pigments.

Health Effects: Short term exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, salivation, sensory disturbances, liver injury, convulsions, shock and renal failure. Long term exposure can cause kidney, liver, bone and blood damage.

A reddish metal that occurs naturally in rock, soil, water, sediment and air. It is commonly found in coins, electrical wiring and pipes. It is an essential element for living organisms, including humans. In small amounts, copper is a necessary part of our diet to ensure good health. In drinking water, copper occurs primarily due to its use in plumbing materials and the subsequent corrosion of copper pipes.

Health Effects: Too much copper can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and nausea. It can also lead to liver and kidney damage.

Occurs naturally in water. It is also added to drinking water to reduce tooth decay. State agencies or local public water supply authorities make the decision as to whether or not to add fluoride to specific drinking water supplies.

Health Effects: Prolonged exposure to fluoride over 4 mg/L has been known to cause bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones in some people.

Is common in the earth’s crust. Water percolating through soil and rock can dissolve minerals containing iron and manganese and hold them in solution. Iron is not hazardous in drinking water, but it can be a nuisance. Iron in your water can stain your laundry and fixtures and give your water a bitter, metallic taste. Manganese is chemically similar to iron and causes similar problems.

Iron can be in soluble or oxidized form. Water with soluble iron looks clear when it comes out of the faucet, but has red rust in it when left standing. Oxidized iron looks red from the tap.

Is a toxic metal that was used widely for many years in home construction, including plumbing pipes and fittings. As water passes through the plumbing, it leaches the lead out of the fixture and into the drinking water.

Health Effects: Lead can severely affect infants and children, delaying physical and/or mental development. It can cause kidney problems and high blood pressure in adults.

A nitrogen-based chemical that comes from fertilizers, animal waste and septic tanks. According to the EPA, this is the most common contaminant found in well water.

Health Effects: High levels of nitrate can be fatal to infants so it is important to check your nitrate level if there are children or pregnant women in the home. Nitrate is one cause of methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”.

A radioactive metal that occurs naturally in rocks, soils and ground water.

Health Effects: Drinking water containing radium for a life time can increase health risks, including bone cancer.

Sulfate and hydrogen sulfide are nuisances, but do not usually pose a health risk. Water containing sulfate can be bitter tasting and can have a laxative effect. Hydrogen sulfide has a “rotten egg” smell and taste and can cause nausea.