Post on 06-Feb-2016
description
Sauk County Community Sauk County Community Drinking Water ProgramDrinking Water Program
Kevin MasarikKevin Masarik
CENTER FOR WATERSHED SCIENCE AND EDUCATION ▪ UW-STEVENS POINT ▪ UW-EXTENSION
Today’s presentation
o What is groundwater and where does it come from?What is groundwater and where does it come from?
o What do my individual test results mean?What do my individual test results mean?
o General groundwater quality in the Towns of Honey General groundwater quality in the Towns of Honey Creek, Prairie du Sac and Troy.Creek, Prairie du Sac and Troy.
o Improving your water qualityImproving your water quality
Precipitation
Infiltration
Runoff
River
Well
Runoff Evaporation
Transpiration
The Water CycleThe Water Cycle
Water Table
Percolation
Groundwater
Groundwater MovementGroundwater Movement
Soil
Private vs. Public Water SuppliesPrivate vs. Public Water SuppliesPublic Water SuppliesPublic Water Supplies
Regularly tested and Regularly tested and regulated by drinking water regulated by drinking water standards.standards.
Private WellsPrivate Wells
Not required to be Not required to be regularly tested.regularly tested.
Not required to take Not required to take corrective actioncorrective action
Owners must take special Owners must take special precautions to ensure safe precautions to ensure safe drinking water.drinking water.
Why do people test their water?Why do people test their water?
Installed a new wellInstalled a new well Change in taste or odorChange in taste or odor Buying or selling their homeBuying or selling their home Plumbing issuesPlumbing issues Want to know if it’s safe to Want to know if it’s safe to
drink.drink.
What are the Health Concerns?What are the Health Concerns?
Acute EffectsAcute Effects – Usually seen within a – Usually seen within a short time after exposure to a short time after exposure to a substance. substance.
(ex. Bacterial contamination may cause intestinal disease) (ex. Bacterial contamination may cause intestinal disease)
Chronic EffectsChronic Effects – Results from – Results from exposure to a substance over a long exposure to a substance over a long period of time. period of time.
(ex. Arsenic or pesticides can increase the chance of (ex. Arsenic or pesticides can increase the chance of developing certain types of cancer)developing certain types of cancer)
No one No one test tells us test tells us everything we everything we need to know need to know about the about the safety and safety and condition of a condition of a water supplywater supply
Coliform bacteriaColiform bacteria SodiumSodium NitrateNitrate Copper Copper LeadLead TriazineTriazine ZincZinc SulfateSulfate ArsenicArsenic
Saturation Index Saturation Index AlkalinityAlkalinity Conductivity Conductivity PotassiumPotassium
Interpreting Drinking Water Interpreting Drinking Water Test ResultsTest Results
Tests important Tests important to health:to health:
RedRed = human-influenced,= human-influenced, BlueBlue = naturally found= naturally found
HardnessHardness IronIron ManganeseManganese ChlorideChloride
Tests for aesthetic Tests for aesthetic (taste,color,odor) (taste,color,odor)
problems:problems:
Other important Other important indicator tests:indicator tests:
Laboratory Results:
Homeowners Package: Bacteria-Coliform Absent Hardness-Total 357 mg/l CaCO3 Alkalinity 326 mg/l CaCO3 Conductivity 724 umhos/cm Homeowners Metal Package: Arsenic (VISTA-ICP) Less Than 0.005 mg/l (None Detected) Calcium 0.5 mg/l Copper (VISTA-ICP) 0.031 mg/l Iron (VISTA-ICP) 0.065 mg/l Lead (VISTA-ICP) 0.016 mg/l Pesticides: Triazine Screen 0.2 ppb
Laboratory Results:
Homeowners Package: Bacteria-Coliform Absent Hardness-Total 357 mg/l CaCO3 Alkalinity 326 mg/l CaCO3 Conductivity 724 umhos/cm Homeowners Metal Package: Arsenic (VISTA-ICP) Less Than 0.005 mg/l (None Detected) Calcium 0.5 mg/l Copper (VISTA-ICP) 0.031 mg/l Iron (VISTA-ICP) 0.065 mg/l Lead (VISTA-ICP) 0.016 mg/l Pesticides: Triazine Screen 0.2 ppb
Conductivity 724 umhos/cm Homeowners Metal Package:
Lead (VISTA-ICP) 0.016 mg/l Pesticides:
milligrams per liter (mg/l) = parts per million (ppm)
1 mg/l = 1000 parts per billion (ppb)
Coliform bacteriaColiform bacteria Coliform bacteria Coliform bacteria maymay indicate indicate
the presence of more harmful the presence of more harmful bacteria with similar life cycles. bacteria with similar life cycles.
Harmful bacteria can cause Harmful bacteria can cause gastrointestinal disease, gastrointestinal disease, cholera, hepatitischolera, hepatitis
If any is present assume that the If any is present assume that the water is unsafewater is unsafe
Sources:Sources: Live in soils and on vegetationLive in soils and on vegetation Human and animal wasteHuman and animal waste Sampling errorSampling error
Present =Unsafe
Absent = Safe
E.coli bacteriaE.coli bacteria
Type of bacteria found in the Type of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded intestines of warm-blooded animals and their feces are animals and their feces are called E.coli.called E.coli.
E.coli are often present with E.coli are often present with harmful bacteria, viruses and harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause parasites that can cause serious gastrointestinal serious gastrointestinal illnesses.illnesses.
Any detectable level of E.coli Any detectable level of E.coli means your water is unsafe means your water is unsafe to drink.to drink.
What should I do if I have What should I do if I have Bacteria Problems?Bacteria Problems?
1.1. Use alternative source of water for drinkingUse alternative source of water for drinking2.2. Retest Retest 3. Try to identify any sanitary defects3. Try to identify any sanitary defects
Loose or non-existent well capLoose or non-existent well cap Well construction faultsWell construction faults Abandoned wellAbandoned well Inadequate filtration by soilInadequate filtration by soil
4. Disinfect the well4. Disinfect the well5. Retest to ensure well is bacteria free. 5. Retest to ensure well is bacteria free.
For reoccurring bacteria problems it may be For reoccurring bacteria problems it may be necessary to look into drilling a new well.necessary to look into drilling a new well.
Rock and Soil Impacts Rock and Soil Impacts on Water Qualityon Water Quality
Tests for Aesthetic ProblemsTests for Aesthetic Problems
Natural (rocks and soils)Natural (rocks and soils) Primarily calcium and Primarily calcium and
magnesiummagnesium
Problems: scaling, scum, Problems: scaling, scum, use more detergent, use more detergent, decrease water heater decrease water heater efficiencyefficiency
0
200
150
“SOFT”
“HARD”
IDEAL?
HardnessHardness
Water SofteningWater SofteningWater softeners remove calcium Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium which cause and magnesium which cause scaling and exchange it for scaling and exchange it for sodium (or potassium).sodium (or potassium).
Negative: Increases sodium Negative: Increases sodium content of water. content of water.
Suggestions:Suggestions: Bypass your drinking water Bypass your drinking water
faucet.faucet. Do not soften water for outdoor Do not soften water for outdoor
faucets. faucets. If you are concerned about If you are concerned about
sodium levels – use potassium sodium levels – use potassium chloride softener salt.chloride softener salt.
Tests for Overall Water QualityTests for Overall Water Quality AlkalinityAlkalinity – ability to neutralize acid – ability to neutralize acid ConductivityConductivity – –
Measure of total ionsMeasure of total ions can be used to indicate presence of can be used to indicate presence of
contaminants (~ twice the hardness)contaminants (~ twice the hardness) pHpH – Indicates water’s acidity and helps – Indicates water’s acidity and helps
determine if water will corrode plumbingdetermine if water will corrode plumbing
70 14Acidic Basic
(-3)(-3) (-1)(-1)(-2)(-2) (+2)(+2)(0)(0) (+1)(+1)(+0.5)(+0.5) (+3)(+3)
Corrosion occursCorrosion occurs Scaling occursScaling occurs
IdealIdeal SevereSevereSevereSevere ModerateModerate ModerateModerateSlightSlight SlightSlight
Saturation IndexSaturation Index
Tests for Overall Water QualityTests for Overall Water Quality
Land Use and Water Quality
Well pumping
water
Nitrate NitrogenNitrate Nitrogen Greater than 10 mg/L Greater than 10 mg/L
Exceeds State and Federal Limits Exceeds State and Federal Limits for Drinking Waterfor Drinking Water
Between 2 and 10 mg/L Between 2 and 10 mg/L Some Human ImpactSome Human Impact
Less than 2.0 mg/L Less than 2.0 mg/L “Transitional” “Transitional”
Less than 0.2 mg/L Less than 0.2 mg/L “Natural”“Natural” 0
10
2
“NATURAL”
UNSAFE
Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health
Nitrate-NitrogenNitrate-Nitrogen
Health Effects:Health Effects: Methemoglobinemia (blue Methemoglobinemia (blue
baby disease)baby disease) Possible links to birth defects Possible links to birth defects
and miscarriages (humans and and miscarriages (humans and livestock)livestock)
Indicator of other contaminantsIndicator of other contaminants
Sources:Sources: Agricultural fertilizerAgricultural fertilizer Lawn fertilizerLawn fertilizer Septic systemsSeptic systems Animal wastesAnimal wastes
What can I do to reduce my What can I do to reduce my nitrate levels?nitrate levels?
Eliminate contamination source or reduce Eliminate contamination source or reduce nitrogen inputsnitrogen inputs
Change well depth or relocate wellChange well depth or relocate well Carry or buy waterCarry or buy water Water treatment devicesWater treatment devices
Reverse osmosisReverse osmosis DistillationDistillation Anion exchangeAnion exchange
Greater than 250 mg/lGreater than 250 mg/l- No direct effects on health- No direct effects on health
- Salty taste- Salty taste
- Exceeds recommended level- Exceeds recommended level
Greater than 10 mg/l may Greater than 10 mg/l may indicate human impactindicate human impact
Less than 10 mg/lLess than 10 mg/l
““Natural” in much of WINatural” in much of WI 10 mg/l
250 mg/l
Tests for Aesthetic ProblemsTests for Aesthetic Problems
ChlorideChloride
Tests for Aesthetic ProblemsTests for Aesthetic Problems
Natural (rocks and Natural (rocks and soils)soils)
May benefit healthMay benefit health Red and yellow stainsRed and yellow stains
on clothing, fixtureson clothing, fixtures
Potential for iron Potential for iron bacteriabacteria Slime, odor, oily filmSlime, odor, oily film
0.3 mg/L
0
IronIron
Sources: Copper water pipesSources: Copper water pipes Standard: 1.3 mg/LStandard: 1.3 mg/L
Health Effects:Health Effects: Some copper is needed for good Some copper is needed for good
healthhealth Too much may cause problems:Too much may cause problems:
Stomach cramps, diarrhea,Stomach cramps, diarrhea,vomiting, nauseavomiting, nauseaFormula intolerance in infantsFormula intolerance in infants
Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health
CopperCopper
00
1.31.3Unsafe
Sources: Lead solder joining Sources: Lead solder joining copper pipes (pre-1985)copper pipes (pre-1985)
Standard: 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)Standard: 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)
Health Effects:Health Effects: Young children, infants and Young children, infants and
unborn children are particularly unborn children are particularly vulnerable.vulnerable.
Lead may damage the brain, Lead may damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system, red kidneys, nervous system, red blood cells, reproductive system.blood cells, reproductive system.
Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health
LeadLead
00
0.0150.015Unsafe
Lead and CopperLead and Copper
Solutions:Solutions: Run water until cold before drinking.Run water until cold before drinking. Use a treatment device. Use a treatment device.
Test Important to HealthTest Important to Health
Sources: Naturally occurring in Sources: Naturally occurring in mineral depositsmineral deposits
Standard: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)Standard: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
Health Effects:Health Effects: Increased risk of skin cancers Increased risk of skin cancers
as well as lung, liver, bladder, as well as lung, liver, bladder, kidney, and colon cancers.kidney, and colon cancers.
Circulatory disordersCirculatory disorders Stomach pain, nausea, diarrheaStomach pain, nausea, diarrhea Unusual skin pigmentation Unusual skin pigmentation
ArsenicArsenic
Measures the levels of Measures the levels of triazine pesticides (atrazine, triazine pesticides (atrazine, simazine, propazine, simazine, propazine, cyanazine, etc)cyanazine, etc)
Sources: Triazine pesticides Sources: Triazine pesticides (mainly atrazine used on (mainly atrazine used on corn crops)corn crops)
Drinking water limit: Drinking water limit:
3 ppb3 ppb
Tests Important to HealthTests Important to Health
Triazine ScreenTriazine Screen
Test water at a certified labTest water at a certified lab
Know the types and amounts of contaminants you Know the types and amounts of contaminants you need to removeneed to remove
Choose a device approvedChoose a device approvedby the Wisconsin Department by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce for the problems of Commerce for the problems found in your waterfound in your water
Maintenance is necessary to Maintenance is necessary to ensure proper treatment.ensure proper treatment.
A word about water treatment…A word about water treatment…
Next StepsNext Steps
Test well annually for bacteria, or if water Test well annually for bacteria, or if water changes color or clarity.changes color or clarity.
If levels are elevated, test again in 15 If levels are elevated, test again in 15 months for nitrate.months for nitrate.
Next StepsNext Steps
Test for known or potential contaminants Test for known or potential contaminants in your neighborhoodin your neighborhood Gasoline?Gasoline? Pesticides?Pesticides? Solvents?Solvents?
Check for known contamination sites in St.Croix County at:Check for known contamination sites in St.Croix County at:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/gis/index.htmhttp://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/gis/index.htm
Thanks to the following for helping sponsor this Thanks to the following for helping sponsor this program:program:
• Town of Honey CreekTown of Honey Creek• Town of Prairie du SacTown of Prairie du Sac
• Town of TroyTown of Troy• Sauk County Land and Water Conservation Sauk County Land and Water Conservation
DepartmentDepartment• Sauk County UW-ExtensionSauk County UW-Extension
• Center for Watershed Science and EducationCenter for Watershed Science and Education
Questions?Questions?
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