Welcome to Our July Newsletter |
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We would like to wish
you and yours a safe and fun
Independence Day!
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In this Edition
Summer Well Maintenance
Water Quality and Gardening
Let's Talk Uranium
New Hampshire Lowers Arsenic Limit
Industry News
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Fireworks, barbeques, and fun- oh my! Summertime can be very busy for a lot of us, but don’t let that be a reason to let your well upkeep fall to the wayside. Maintaining your well year-round is important and can prevent any issues from arising in the future. Between trips to the beach, family get togethers, and fun in the sun there are a few things that can be done to ensure that your family and friends are drinking water that is safe and tasty.
Summer is a common time for homeowners to have operational issues with their wells because we tend to use so much more water in the hot months. Well systems can become stressed when filling up swimming pools, running sprinklers, or even with regular garden watering. If you are using your water for any of these things, it’s smart to schedule a pumping or drawdown test. Taking these measurements when water levels are low helps to ensure that you are using your well water sustainably.
Another important thing to do during the summer months is to take care when mowing and maintaining your lawn. It’s easy to bump into your well cap and cause damage with your lawn mower or weed whacker. If you suspect you or someone ran into your well head while working in the yard, a visual inspection can work wonders. Take a look at the cap and make sure that there are no cracks or openings; it’s very easy for little insects and critters that carry coliform bacteria to crawl through those tiny cracks. If you do happen to notice some damage, call a professional so that your system can be repaired properly.
Aside from being careful while mowing, it’s important to keep your well out in the open. Don’t try to hide your well cap and conduit with shrubs or flowers, fake rocks, or any sort of cover. Coverings and vegetation can create an environment that attracts insects, plus you want to have clean, fresh airflow because most wells have a screen on the cap which draws in air as the water table drops. If the well cap is covered, the air being pulled in could potentially be carrying bacteria.
Last but not least on our list of ways to maintain your well over the summer: firework clean up and disposal. Setting off fireworks is a popular summertime tradition for many and it’s important to know how to properly handle and dispose of them when setting them off at home. Fireworks contain ingredients like calcium, antimony, copper, iron, and magnesium to name a few. If any pieces and parts or residue isn’t cleaned up, rain could potentially cause the contaminants to leach into the soil and eventually into your well. Rain could also push remnants into storm drains which would lead directly into waterways where the pollutants could be harmful to fish and aquatic life.
For more information on safe fireworks handling and disposal, contact your state's Fire Marshal’s office:
Maine (207) 626-3880
New Hampshire (603) 223-4289
Or Follow the Links Below:
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Water Quality and Gardening |
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We are getting into peak growing season in New England and there has been a gardening boom across America. 1 in 3 households are dusting off their green thumbs and growing their own fruits and veggies. There are many factors that make a garden grow to perfection, and a big factor is water quality. Water is very important to the health of plants. They receive hydration through their roots and pass the water through a vascular system similar to our own. The water travels through the stem, the leaves, and the fruit and is a source of nutrition for all parts of the plant. If the water contains contaminants, it can affect the entire plant. Some of these contaminants, when ingested, can be harmful to our health as well.
Just like we do, plants enjoy minerals in their water, but our groundwater can be rich in iron and manganese. Too much of this can stunt plant growth and damage their leaves. Sodium and Chloride, which can get into our water supply from road salts or via water softening treatments can also stunt plant growth and causes a yellowing of the leaves. Chlorine is often used in public water systems to eliminate microbial contamination, too much chlorine can burn the leaves of a plant. The chlorine in public drinking water is usually tolerable to sturdy plants, since the chlorine molecules bond to the top soil and do not go down deep into the soil that harbors beneficial microorganisms. If using public water on sensitive ornamental plants, you can allow the water to sit out for a day to vent the chlorine gas off. Another way to water your garden is by recycling rain water in a barrel or making a rain garden. If using a rain barrel, it is recommended to disinfect the barrel at least once a year with bleach before allowing it to fill. There are also filtration and pumps available for rain barrels, as stagnant water can encourage microbial growth.
E. Coli bacteria and other microbial contaminants can attach to the outsides of vegetables, so it is very important to wash all vegetables thoroughly, soak them in a water and vinegar mixture or a commercial vegetable disinfectant before consuming (this is important for store-bought vegetables as well!). Some other common water contaminants that can be absorbed into the plants, and settle into the fruits and vegetables are: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, soaps and detergents. Arsenic is soluble and bioavailable to plants, meaning it can easily be absorbed into the plant’s vascular system and will travel to the fruit of the plant. These contaminants may not damage the plant’s appearance, but they can be harmful if consumed by humans over long periods of time. If your garden is ornamental, you do not need to worry as much about this, but if you are planning to go farm (or patio) to table with your vegetable garden, it is encouraged to test your water for toxins that can be harmful to you and your crops.
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Uranium is a heavy metal that is a naturally occurring radioactive element and is found in almost all forms of rock, soil, and water. Natural uranium is a mixture of three isotopes, or species: U234, U235, and U238. The most common isotope is U238, which makes up 99 percent of all-natural uranium. The radioactive decay of uranium in rocks and soil forms radon, an invisible and odorless radioactive gas.
Uranium gets into your drinking water when groundwater dissolves minerals that contain uranium; higher levels tend to be from wells drilled in uranium-rich rock formations. In surface water, uranium can be transported large distances. Some of the uranium in water will stick to sediment and other particles in the water, but keep in mind that the amount of uranium in your well water will vary depending on its concentration of bedrock.
Eating, drinking, or breathing very high levels of uranium can cause acute kidney failure and death. This exposure to high levels may lead to increased cancer risk, liver damage, internal irradiation, as well as damage the kidneys and respiratory tract. Because of these dangerous side effects, private well users are strongly encouraged to get their water tested for uranium every three to five years if your initial uranium test has come back negative.
Any underground shifting can open new pockets or veins that can introduce uranium into your well. If you have a high uranium result (the maximum contaminant level for uranium is 30 micrograms per liter), we recommend that you also test your water for radon and arsenic. If your result does exceed 30 µg/L, you must immediately stop drinking your water, switch to bottled water, and contact a water treatment company for an evaluation. You can contact the lab for treatment company recommendations.
To order your water testing kit click below:
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New Hampshire Lowers Arsenic Limit |
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According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), effective July 1, 2021 the new arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) in New Hampshire will be 5 ppb (parts per billion – equivalent to micrograms per liter). The new standard, which implements House Bill 261, enacted in July 2019, will apply to community and nontransient, non-community public water systems. HB 261 directs NHDES to change both the MCL and the ambient groundwater quality standard (AGQS) for arsenic to “a value not to exceed 5 micrograms per liter.” The change will make New Hampshire the second state to adopt an arsenic MCL lower than the federal level of 10 ppb. New Jersey has been enforcing its 5 ppb standard since 2006.
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NEWS THROUGHOUT OUR INDUSTRY |
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