Slide 1

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 2

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 3

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 4

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 5

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 6

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 7

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 8

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 9

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 10

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 11

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 12

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 13

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 14

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 15

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 16

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 17

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 18

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 19

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 20

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 21

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 22

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 23

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 24

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 25

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

17

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

18

Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

19

Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

20

thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
21

Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

22

Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

23

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

24

Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
26


Slide 26

Water Quality Contaminants
of Concern
Erin James
Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering
Virginia Master Well Owner Network Training
October 29-30, 2008
Harrisonburg Virginia

Overview
 General recommendations of VAHWQP and
VAMWON

 EPA public drinking water standards
 General water quality indicators
 Specific health concerns, nuisance problems, or

nearby landuses
 Specific contaminants common in VA

2

General VAHWQP Recommendations
 Test every year for bacteria
 Test every three years for pH, TDS, any local

pollutants
 Test before new nearby activity - legal protection!
 Test if there are infants or people with
compromised immune systems in your home
 Test if change in odor, appearance or taste
 Always recommend testing through a certified lab

3

EPA Drinking Water Standards
Primary Standards

Secondary Standards

• Also called Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL)
• Cause health problems
• Enforced for public systems
• Over 80 contaminants
• For example:

 Also called SMCL or RMCL

Nitrate
o Lead
o Coliform
o Most organic chemicals and
pesticides
o

 Cause aesthetic problems:
Staining
o Taste
o Odor
o

 Can naturally occur in ground

water
 About 15 contaminants including:
Iron
o Fluoride
o Chloride
o

4

General Water Quality Indicators
Indicator

Acceptable Limit

Indication

Coliform bacteria

< I coliform/100 ml

Possible bacterial or viral contamination
from human or animal waste

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Important overall measure of water
quality; pH can alter corrosivitiy and
solubility of contaminants.
Low pH: pitting of pipes and fixtures,
metallic taste
High pH: water has slippery feel, soda
taste

Total dissolved
solids

500 mg/L

Dissolved metals, like iron or
manganese; hardness; salty, bitter taste
or staining.

Adapted from Interpreting your Water Test Report. 2001. Blake Ross and Kathleen Parrott (VCE pub 356-489)

5

Tests for Specific Health Concerns
Situation

Recommended Tests

Family members or guests with recurring Coliform bacteria, nitrate, sulfate
incidents of gastrointestinal illness
Household plumbing contains lead
pipes, fittings or solder joints or brass

pH, corrosion index, lead, copper,
cadmium, zinc

Household with pregnant woman or
young infant

Coliform bacteria, nitrate

Family member on recommended lowsodium diet

Sodium

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

6

Coliform Bacteria
 Cannot be smelled, tasted or seen
 Coliform bacteria is an indicator

organism – means diseasecausing bacteria may be present
 Public standard is 0 cfu/100mL
 If present, test for fecal coliform or
E. coli presence – strong indicator
that sewage or animal waste is
present.

Photo credits: www.water-research.net, www.britannica.com

7

Nuisance Problems
Symptom

Description

Recommended Tests

Stained plumbing
fixtures

Red or brown
Reddish-brown slime
Black
Green or Blue
Chalky white

Iron
Iron bacteria
Manganese
Copper
Hardness

Off-color water

Cloudy
Black
Brown or yellow

Turbidity, suspended solids
Hydrogen sulfide, Mn
Iron, tannic acid

Unusual taste or odor

Rotten egg
Metallic
Salty
Septic, musty, earthy
Alkali, bitter
Gasoline or oil
Soapy

Hydrogen sulfide
pH, corrosivity, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb
TDS, chloride, sodium
Coliform, methane
pH, TDS
Hydrocarbon scan
Surfactants or detergents

Corrosive water

Deposits, pitting of
plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, copper, lead

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

8

Nuisance problems

http://www.process-controls.com/techsales/Dynamic_Descaler/images/before_1.jpg, www.tamhil.com/english/content.asp?id=24

9

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html, www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/13/index.html, cleanwellwater.com/acidic_water_bluegreen_stains

10

Nuisance problems

Photo credits: Midland Corrosion Associates, www.awqinc.com/ph.html, www.ehrenner.com/Chloronation.html,
http://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/techcorner/images/erosion_corrosion.jpg

11

Tests for Specific Contamination
If you suspect or observe

Recommended Tests

Leaking fuel tank

Hydrocarbon scan

Coal mining

TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity,
manganese, aluminum

Gas or oil drilling

TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead,
pH, corrosivity, strontium

Road salt storage or application

TDS, chloride, sodium

Landfill or dump

TDS, pH, chemical oxygen demand,
VOC scan, heavy metals

Land application of sludge

Total coliform, nitrate, heavy metals

Septic system

Fecal coliform/E. coli, fecal
streptococcus, nitrate, surfactants

Intensive agricultural use

Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan,
pH, TDS

Adapted from Household Water Testing. 2000. Blake Ross, Kathleen Parrott, and Janice Woodward (VCE pub 356-485)

12

Conditions or nearby activities of concern
Conditions or Nearby Activities

Test for:

Recurring gastro-intestinal illness

Coliform bacteria

Household plumbing contains lead

pH, lead, copper

Radon in indoor air

Radon

Corrosion of pipes and plumbing

Corrosivity, pH, lead

Nearby areas of intensive agriculture

Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria

Coal or other mining operations

Metals, pH, corrosivity

Dump, junkyard or landfill

VOCs, TDS, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals

Odor of gasoline or fuel oil

VOCs

Objectionable taste or smell of water

Hydrogen sulfide, corrosivity, metals

Stained plumbing fixtures or laundry

Iron, copper, manganese

Salty taste

Chloride, TDS, sodium

Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather

Hardness

Rapid wear of water equipment

pH, corrosivity

Water is cloudy, frothy or colored

Colors, detergents

Adapted from “Drinking Water for Household Wells”, EPA, 2002

13

Most common contaminants in Virginia
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
14

Iron and Manganese
 Nuisance - not health concern
 SMCL:

Iron = 0.3 mg/L
Manganese = 0.05 mg/L
 Red-brown/black staining, particles, metallic taste
 Treatment depends on type/form of iron
 Ferrous: water initially clear  orange-brown or black

solid particles
 Ferric: solid particles apparent immediately, or water has
a tint
 Iron bacteria – not a health concern; feed on Fe and Mn,
forming red-brown or black-brown slime
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/images-water-quality/chemicals/water%20in%20reddish-brown.jpg

15

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/FColi.html

Bacteria
 Coliform an indicator of potential for other

pathogens:
 Dysentery, Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia,

Cryptosporidia

 Sources:
 Human and animal waste (septic tank, barnyard runoff)
 Insects, small animals in poorly sealed wells
 Flooding; older or shallow wells without air-tight seal

 Laboratory test:
 EPA MCL for public supplies is 0 cfu/100mL

 Reported as presence/absence, cfu (colony forming

units)/100 mL, or MPN (most probable number)
16

www.goodcleanwater.com/fyi.htm

Hardness
 Hard water contains high levels of calcium

and magnesium ions
 Dissolved into water during contact with limestone, other minerals

 Not a health risk – nuisance
 Decreased cleaning action of soaps, detergents

 Scale build-up in pipes and on appliances
 Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters

 No EPA standard for public systems
Hardness Rating
Soft

Grains per Gallon

Mg/L

Less than 1.0

Less than 17.1

Slightly Hard

1.0-3.5

17.1-60

Moderately Hard

3.5-7.0

60-120

Hard

7.0-10.5

120-180

Over 10.5

Over 180

Very Hard

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Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH
 Corrosive (aggressive) water
 Corrodes metal in plumbing, causing damage, pitting
 Leaching of copper or lead into drinking water – health

concern!
 EPA recommends drinking water be non-corrosive

 Scaling water
 Contains high levels of minerals
 Forms scale on inside of pipes and appliances, lime

deposits on shower heads and taps
 Can lead to clogging of pipes, reduced efficiency of heaters
and appliances
http://www.bushman.cc/photos/Copper_Water_Pipe_Corrosion.jpg; www.watersoftening.org/effects_of_hard_water.htm

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Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Usually a measure of alkalinity, TDS, and pH; often

reported as a Saturation Index (varies by lab)
Langelier Saturation
Index (LSI)

Description

Recommendation

-5 to -3

Severe corrosion

Treatment recommended

-3 to -1

Moderate corrosion

Consider treatment

1- to 1

Balanced

Treatment not needed

1 to 3

Moderate scaling

Consider treatment

3 to 5

Severe scaling

Treatment recommended

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Corrosive Water: Metals of concern
 Lead
 Many serious health effects, esp in children and infants


Developmental, neurological, reproductive and renal

 EPA MCL is 0 µg/L with an HAL (health action level) of 15 µg/L.
 Sources include:




Pipes in older homes (pre-1930)
Solder in homes built prior to 1986
“Lead-free” brass fixtures (<8%) – even in NEW homes!

 Copper
 High levels can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

infants and children particularly sensitive
 EPA MCL is 1.3 mg/L
 Nuisance effects noticeable at 1.0 mg/L
http://www.gravitaexim.com/images/Lead-pipe.jpg

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thepipelinefixation.blogspot.com

Hydrogen Sulfide
 Colorless gas; rotten egg smell
 Not regulated by EPA – most people can detect at very

low levels
 Naturally present in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil
fields
 Produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria (not a health risk)
 Treatment depends on concentration, so you must test
 Only noticeable in hot water?
 Bacteria could be thriving in your water heater
 Sulfates may be converted to H2S chemically in your water heater during a

reaction with your magnesium corrosion control rod
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Nitrate (NO3)
 Serious health concern for infants
 Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome”





Nitrate becomes nitrite in digestive system, which forms
methemoglobin rather than hemoglobin (does not carry oxygen)
EPA MCL 10 mg/L NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) or 45 mg/L of NO3 (nitrate)
If levels approach 3-5 mg/L, use another source of water for infants
under 6 months

 Sources include fertilizer, animal manure, sewage
 NO3 dissolves and moves easily through soil

 Test in spring months; levels change over time
 NOTE that BOILING INCREASES concentration of

nitrates!!!
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-221-95/p2.gif

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Sodium and Chloride
 Low levels occur naturally
 Higher levels usually from man-made source
 Road salt storage or application

 Industrial waste
 Sewage, fertilizers or animal waste
 In coastal areas, salt water intrusion

 Sodium: EPA MCL for people on low-sodium diets: 20 mg/L

 Chloride: EPA SMCL of 250 mg/L
 Higher levels may indicate contamination – test for bacteria

or other chemicals
 Salty taste; and may accelerate corrosion of pipes and
water heaters
http://www.cotrip.org/winterdriving/images/pic6.jpg

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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
 Water is a great solvent – dissolves many compounds as

it travels over and under ground
 TDS is a measure of all dissolved impurities < 2µm dia
 Natural sources: limestone, salt deposits, other minerals
 Man-made sources:
 Septic systems and sewage
 Run off from agricultural or urban land
 Road salt, industrial sources

 General indicator of water quality; test at least

every three years
 EPA SMCL is 500 mg/L
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

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Fluoride
 Occurs naturally in varying levels
 Naturally high levels of F in E. Virginia groundwater

 Added to many public water systems for reduced
dental caries and strong teeth and bones
 Health concerns:
 Long term exposure: links to bone cancer
 Shorter term exposure: dental or skeletal fluorosis

 EPA MCL 4.0 mg/L and SMCL 2.0 mg/L
 Optimum levels for public systems 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L
 Limited use for children up to 8 years
http://www.willamettedental.com/en_us/ALL/patients/pps/retailproducts_prettysmile.gif; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

25

What do you recall about…..
 Iron and manganese
 Bacteria

 Hardness
 Corrosive and Scaling Water
 Hydrogen Sulfide

 Nitrate
 Sodium
 TDS

 Fluoride
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