Groundwater awareness
By Lisa Lemmon, laboratory program manager at El Paso County Public Health
El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) can help you find out if your well water is safe to drink
Every public water system is required to meet EPA guidelines to provide water that is safe to drink and is usually tested anywhere from once per quarter, once a month or up to twice a month.
Private water wells, which are common in eastern rural El Paso County, are those that are not regulated as a public water system under the Safe Drinking Water Act. While new private wells must be permitted by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the quality of water used by private well owners is not regulated, so private well owners are responsible for making sure their well water is safe for drinking, cooking and bathing.
What should you test for in a private well system?
Although there are numerous tests for water, EPCPH provides testing to meet the minimum potability requirements for drinking water quality, and the most common are as follows:
- Qualitative Bacteriological test for the absence of total coliform and E. coli
- Chemistry test for the concentration of the inorganic anion, nitrate.
EPCPH does have the equipment for other inorganic anion, including bromide, fluoride, chloride, sulphate, nitrite and phosphate if requested. The laboratory also tests water for pH levels, which is related to the ability of water to corrode pipes and release metals into the water.
What are total coliform and E. coli bacteria?
Coliform and E. coli bacteria in drinking water indicate contamination of the water system. The presence of E. coli bacteria in a water supply indicates pollution from human or animal fecal waste, and the likelihood of disease-causing organisms is high. The presence of coliforms indicates the well system may be defective.
These situations are highly dependent on the environment where you live. Is there a lot of farming around? Are fertilizers being used? Is there ranching in the area? All of these situations raise the presence of coliforms and E. coli because livestock manure and urine soak down into the ground and create an environment for these bacteria to thrive.
What are nitrates?
Nitrate amounts greater than 10 mg/L present in drinking water indicate pollution from manure, fertilizer, failing septic systems or other waste sources. Nitrates travel easily through the soil, carried by rain or irrigation water into the groundwater.
What is the process?
A property owner or a certified water operator can collect samples for the tests. They will first need to get a test kit that includes a special water bottle. Test kits are available at the Citizens Service Center or the fire stations in Falcon and Monument or Woodland Park Community Development Services, and in Divide at the Teller County Public Health office. Instructions in the kit walk the sample collector through cleaning the test area (the faucet in a bathtub is recommended), how long to run the water prior to sampling and the amount to collect. Samples are then returned to the EPCPH Laboratory at the Citizens Service Center for testing.
EPCPH has an on-site lab, which tests the samples and reports back if they are positive or negative. The usual turnaround time for results is 24 to 72 hours.
When or how often should I test?
Get your well tested at least once a year and inspect your well head to make sure the cap is not cracked and the casing is not cracked. This will ensure surface water, pathogens, insects, chemicals or debris are not getting in and contaminating your system. Also, be aware if taste, appearance or odor of the water changes, if bathroom fixtures become stained or if any household members become ill — these are all indicators it’s time to test your water.
For more information on water testing and how to test your water, visit the El Paso County Public Health website at: https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/licenses-permits-inspections-watertesting/water-testing/
