HomeMy WebLinkAboutWELL-04-2021-149774.TIF North Carolina Division of Public Health
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Epidemiology Section
BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS REPORT
Private well water information and recommendations
County: Catawba Name: Melvin& Melissa George Sample ID Number: 149774
Location: 3183 Hafer Rd, Claremont NC 28610 Reviewer: Megen McBride
Initial Sample X Confirmation Sample:
BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USES OF YOUR
PRIVATE WELL WATER(These recommendations are based on biological analysis only.)
No coliform bacteria were found in your well water. Your water can be used for all purposes
including drinking, cooking, washing dishes, bathing and showering.
X Total coliform bacteria were detected in your water sample. Total Coliform are a group of related
bacteria that are(with few exceptions) not harmful to humans. A variety of bacteria, parasites,and
viruses, known as pathogens,can potentially cause health problems if humans ingest them. EPA considers
total coliforms a useful indicator of other pathogens for drinking water. Total coliforms are used to
determine the adequacy of water treatment and the integrity of the distribution system
It is recommended that your well water be re-tested to verify that the result is accurate.
Fecal coliform bacteria were detected in the sample. Do not use the water for drinking,
cooking,washing dishes, bathing or showering.
If the re-test shows contamination by bacteria contact your local health department for assistance. There
may be a problem with the construction of the well, the groundwater source, or operation of the well. The
well needs to be inspected by the local health department or a local well contractor to determine the
problem with the well and to give guidance on how to correct the problem.
Your well water was tested for biological contaminants(total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria). The
results were evaluated using the federal drinking water standards.
Drinking water may contain substances that can occur naturally in water or can be introduced into water
from man-made sources.Total coliform bacteria are found in soil and fecal coliform bacteria are found in
animal and human waste.Total coliform or fecal coliform bacteria in well water indicate that the well
may have structural problems or that the well was not properly disinfected.
If you have been drinking the well water and are pregnant, nursing, have a child in the household under 5
years of age,or immunocompromised (such as an individual with AIDS,cancer, hepatitis,dialysis or
surgical procedures) inform your physician of these results at your next visit.
If the contamination continues,you should investigate the possibility of drilling a new well or installing a
point-of-entry disinfection unit which can use chlorine, ultraviolet light, or ozone.
For further information please contact your county health department or the Occupational and
Environmental Epidemiology Branch at 919-707-5900.
N 0 R T H C A R 0 L I N A
svai.
4bt' Private Well Information
�� and Use Recommendations
NC DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Public Health For Inorganic Chemical Contaminants
County: Catawba I Name: Melvin & Melissa George—3183 Hafer Rd, Claremont NC 28610
Sample ID#: 149774 Reviewer: Megen McBride
TEST RESULTS AND USE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. ® Your well water meets federal drinking water standards for inorganic chemicals. Your water can be used for
drinking,cooking,washing,cleaning, bathing,and showering based on the inorganic chemical results on(v. You may
have other water sampling results that are not taken into account in this report.
2. ❑ The following substance(s)exceeded federal drinking water standards or the North Carolina 2L calculated health
levels.The North Carolina Division of Public Health recommends that your well water not be used for drinking and
cooking, unless you install a water treatment system to remove the circled substance(s). However, it may be used for
washing, cleaning, bathing and showering based on the inorganic chemical results only.
❑ Arsenic ❑ Barium ❑ Cadmium ❑ Chromium El Copper ❑ Fluoride ❑ Iron
El Lead El Manganese ❑ Mercury ❑ Nickel ❑ Nitrate/Nitrite ❑ Selenium ❑ Silver
❑Zinc
3. ❑ While your lead levels do not exceed federal or state standards,the North Carolina Division of Public Health has
concerns with any detection of lead. Should you have any questions please contact the NC Private Well and Health
Program at(919) 707-5900.
4. ❑ Re-sample for lead and/or copper. Take a first draw and 30-second flush sample inside the house (preferably the
kitchen sink)and a first draw and 4 minutes flush sample at the wellhead to determine the source of lead and/or copper.
5. ❑ The following substance(s)exceeded aesthetic drinking water standards. Your water can be used for drinking,
cooking,washing, cleaning, bathing, and showering based on the inorganic chemical results on(v, but aesthetic problems
such as bad taste, odor, staining of porcelain, etc. may occur. You may want to install a household water treatment system
to address aesthetic problems.
❑ Chloride ❑ Copper ❑ Fluoride El Iron ❑ Manganese
❑ pH El Silver El Sulfate ❑ Zinc
6. El a. Sodium levels exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's(USEPA) Health Advisory level for sodium of
20 mg/l.The North Carolina Division of Public Health recommends that only individuals on no or low sodium-restricted
diets not use this water for drinking or cooking. It may be used for washing,cleaning, bathing,and showering based on
the inorganic chemical results only.
❑ b. Your sodium level exceeds 30 mg/I and may pose aesthetic issues such as bad taste,odor, staining of porcelain, etc.
7. ❑ Re-sampling is recommended in months, to reinvestigate
For more information regarding your well water results,please call the North Carolina Division of Public Health at 919-707-5900.
*., T''IIlimo■ —
Total Coliform
Bacteria, E. coli &
PRIVATE WELLS _.
a
__
What are total coliform bacteria
and E. coli? ,
Total coliform bacteria area group rou of microorganisms found ‘ `*
IP
in soil and surface water.Total coliform bacteria water tests
look at all coliform bacteria in water.This includes fecal i
coliform bacteria,which are a group of bacteria found in the " '®''r��
intestines and feces of animals and humans.
E.coli or Escherichia coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria.
There are many strains of E.coli. When should I be concerned
about coliform bacteria or E. coli?
How does coliform bacteria and You should be concerned if coliform bacteria or E.coli are
E. coli get in my private well water? present in your well water.
Rain may wash coliform bacteria or E.coli from soil on The NC Department of Environmental Quality
the surface to groundwater.Coliform bacteria or E.coli developed a groundwater standard of 1 colony of
can also enter your water if your private well is poorly coliform bacteria in 100 milliliters of water(colonies/
constructed,cracked or unsealed. mL).Ground water standards are developed to protect
public health.This standard was developed in 2013.
How can coliform bacteria The US Environmental Protection Agency requires
follow up testing and treatment when coliform bacteria
or E. coli affect my health? or E.coli is found in any public water supply system across
Most coliform bacteria and E.coli strains will not make you the country.Public drinking water guidance are based on
sick.The presence of some types of coliform bacteria in the public health protection and cost of treatment/testing at
water signal the presence of feces or sewage waste. Feces large utilities.These rules were established in 1989 and
and sewage wastes are usually the source of the disease- updated in 2014.
causing organisms.
Total coliform bacteria and E.coli water tests are used as How do I test for total coliform
indicators for the presence of disease-causing organisms. bacteria or E. coli in my
The following are some disease-causing organisms or
pathogens that could be present in your water: private well?
• Bacteria that cause diarrhea and vomiting, Use a certified lab to test your well water for coliform
• Protozoa that cause dysentery, bacteria and E.coli every year.Contact the private well
• Viruses that cause polio and hepatitis,and program at your county health department to assist you
• Helminths,such as roundworms and tapeworms, with getting your water tested.Pricing of testing varies
that cause chronic diarrhea. from county to county.
Percent of Private Wells Tested A'l111Z1111" 11ip O� •
With Detection of E. coli, 2011-2013 'tl 'Z� 'I`� : i, ite
Walk?' W --- 4111"10111.44711r!"‘"
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111111.011.0
51PIPIN r
s ''I. ._ . . ,l._
Percent of Private Wells Tested With �ii orille
Detection of Total Coliform, 2011-2013 ii in_ . !it 1 r �" 1
4 \
., .j. ,
...'i Ai )wrahlii.';r�a in i►"1 I -imu
— >50%with detection CirPPI -Railoo : -,yet x,
- 25.1-50%with detection ` A �i
<25%with detection i "
0%with detection ir'l ,f'
Insufficient data(<10 wells tested)
What if total coliform bacteria Where can I find more
or E. coli levels are present? information about total coliform
Shock chlorination is a method to remove bacteria bacteria, E. coli and my well?
contamination in private wells.If contamination persist Visit the NC Division of Public Health's Private Well and
you can install a treatment system to reduce the levels Health Program website:http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/t- of bacteria inyourprivate well.Treatment systems that
��: � Y oee/programs/wellwater.html.
#• reduce the level of bacteria in your well water include:
p§" • Ultraviolet(UV)filtration treatment system There you can find:
.,• 0p • Contacts for your county private well program
E; '. You can also reduce your exposure by using bottled water • Total coliform bacteria or E.coil in well water maps
t•
c.; ,•; or connecting to public water supply,if possible. • A guide for selecting a treatment system
• Other private well resources
V: ; Where are total coliform bacteria You can also call the Private Well and Health Program
and E. coli found in NC? at 919-707-5900.
Coliform bacteria are detected throughout NC.About 26%
of wells sampled for microbial contamination in NC from Where did this information come ;5.;
2011 to 2013 tested positive for coliform bacteria.Yet, from? '
there are several areas in NC with at least 50%of wells with
rx' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:www.cdc.gov/
i ;R coliform bacteria present.See map for areas with high
coliform bacteria detections.coliform coli.html }'.
Environmental Protection Agency:httpsi/safewater.
E.coli is detected throughout NC.About 2%of wells i
' zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/203309158-E-coli-0157-H7- r�
sampled for microbial contamination in NC from 2011 to
�` ' 2013 tested positive for E.coli.Yet,there are several areas National Sanitation Foundation:www.nsf.org/consumer- .„
q. in NC with at least 25%of wells with E.coil present.See resources/water-quality/water-filters-testing-treatment/
map for areas with high E.coil detections. contaminant-reduction-claims-guide
,:z,, NC Department of Health and Human Services•Division of Public Health•Epidemiology Section•Occupational and Environmental
y_ r,I \C i4i'i
• -� Epidemiology Branch•Private Well and Health Program•httos://eoi.oublichealth.nc.gov/oee/orograms/wellwater.html•NCDHHS is an
\11 HmtMCa.eii.a equal opportunity employer and provider.•09/2019
Public Health