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Home My WebLink AboutSAM-05-2022-170928.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: Cynthia Embrey Sample ID Number: 170928 Location: 1838 Brown Chapel Rd, Catawba NC 28609 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 arc 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 l?lsrvrgtio4"^ Private Well Information a� e7 '4)1 ‘4 • and Use Recommendations NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Public Health For Inorganic Chemical Contaminants County: Catawba Name: I Cynthia Embrey— 1 838 Brown Chapel Rd, Catawba NC 28609 Sample ID#: 170928 Reviewer: Megen McBride TEST RESULTS AND USE RECOMMENDATIONS I. ® 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%norsanic chemical results only. 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 lnvruanic chemical results on(v. ❑ Arsenic ❑ Barium ❑ Cadmium ❑ Chromium ❑ Copper ❑ Fluoride ❑ Iron ❑ Lead ❑ 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 ❑ Iron ❑ Manganese ❑ PI I ❑ Silver ❑ Sulfate ❑ Zinc 6. ® a. Sodium levels exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's(USEPA) Health Advisory level for sodium of 20 mg/I. 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 he used for washing, cleaning, bathing, and showering based on the inorganic chemical results ono,. ❑ b. Your sodium level exceeds 30 mg/land 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. - PMI's _ Total Coliform Bacteria, E. coli 8� w PRIVATE WELLS r What are total coliform bacteria and E. coli? R, Total coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms found in soil and surface water.Total coliform bacteria water tests Y,N look at all coliform bacteria in water.This includes fecal coliform bacteria,which are a group of bacteria found in the 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. nil).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 private well? pathogens that could be present in your water: • 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 ��=�"�i a�I'�4� With Detection of E. coli, 2011-2013 _A 411111�'�5;11.1 � DetectionIwzobigtami rif 4htigrigudr, 0,meotilbasiwitieV401Jirxiitimpi *it Percent of f TotalColiforivate Wells m, 20a1-21013 " �th - ~ MU � �� ' ` �•�-`F` w • .- 1 >50%with detection �.�� _-✓ '-- ■ - 25.1-50%with detection / \/ 4' <25%with detection 0%with detection My 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/ of bacteria in your private well.Treatment systems that oee/programs/wellwater.html. reduce the level of bacteria in your well water include: • Ultraviolet(UV)filtration treatment system There you can find: • Contacts for your county private well program You can also reduce your exposure by using bottled water • Total coliform bacteria or E.coli in well water maps or connecting to public water supply,if possible. • A guide for selecting a treatment system • Other private well resources 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 2011 to 2013 tested positive for coliform bacteria.Yet, from? there are several areas in NC with at least 50%of wells with coliform bacteria present.See map for areas with high Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:www.cdc.gov/ coliform bacteria detections. healthvwater/drinking/private/wells/disease/e coli.html E.coli is detected throughout NC.About 2%of wells Environmental Protection Agency:https://safewater. sampled for microbial contamination in NC from 2011 to zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/203309158-E-coli-0157-H7- 2013 tested positive for E.coli.Yet,there are several areas National Sanitation Foundation:www.nsf.org/consumer- in NC with at least 25%of wells with E.coli present.See resources/water-quality/water-filters-testing-treatment/ map for areas with high E.coli detections. contaminant-reduction-claims-guide NC Department of Health and Human Services•Division of Public Health•Epidemiology Section•Occupational and Environmental ` N['f—1 Epidemiology Branch•Private Well and Health Program•httos://eoi.oublichealth.nc,gov/oee/orograms/wellwater.html •NCDHHS is an No•,Hca,.L.a equal opportunity employer and provider.•09/2019 .N Vh,Hearth Sodium & t ,. PRIVATE WELLS yA ii, /h. What is sodium? Sodium is a natural element found in soil,water,and rocks deep underground.Sodium is found in the Higher levels of sodium can cause: environment as salts bound to chloride,carbonate, • Vomiting hypochlorite,and silicate. • Nausea Sodium is used in water softener treatment systems, • Gastrointestinal issues disinfectants,and pH adjustment to produce • Muscular twitch industrial chemicals.Sodium salts are used in • Convulsions snow/ice control and production of paper,glass, Drinking high levels of sodium over long periods may soap,pharmaceuticals,chemical and food. lead to death. Along the coast,seawater can influence the amount of sodium in groundwater.This is known What level of sodium should as saltwater intrusion. I be concerned about? The US Environmental Protection Agency How does sodium get developed a health advisory of 20 milligrams in my private well water? of sodium per liter of water(mg/L).Health Sodium can enter your private well water from advisories are non-enforceable guidance levels erosion of rocks underground.Rain may wash sodium developed to protect public health.This advisory from de-icing salts and industrial activities on the level was developed to protect the development of surface to groundwater.Water softener treatment hypertension for people on restricted sodium in 2003. systems increase the amount of sodium in water. In addition,the US Environmental Protection Agency developed an aesthetic standard of 30-60 mg/L.This How can sodium affect standard was developed to prevent a salty taste. my health? Sodium is an essential element,meaning your body How do I test for sodium needs it in small amounts.It helps with regulation in my private well? of osmolarity and fluids within the body.However, Use a certified lab to test your well water for sodium drinking high levels of sodium may cause adverse every two years,as part of the inorganic panel health effects.You can't see or smell sodium.Sodium screen.Contact the private well program at your may have a detectable taste. county health department to assist you with getting Drinking high levels of sodium over short periods can your water tested.Pricing of testing varies from lead to hypertension. county to county. Percent of Private Wells Tested Exceeding Federal Guidance for Sodium, 2011-2013 filiii • •r_IMIPWAIr `‘ 1111.. ■■ V all ' Al NI irl I ri.1.01*41 Li ■ -"I•WAIIILLIF-- r7Prij itir ir fie • _>25%exceeded health guidance —r — 10-25%exceeded health guidance ,nill <10%exceeded health guidance 0%exceeded health guidance 1---1- Insufficient data(<10 wells tested) Where is sodium found in NC? Where can I find more Sodium is found at varying levels(1-3,900 mg/L) information about sodium throughout NC.About 14%of wells sampled for and my well? sodium in NC from 2011 to 2013 exceeded the Visit the NC Division of Public Health's Private Well federal advisory level(20 mg/L).Yet,there are and Health Program website:http://epi.publichealth. several areas in NC with more than 25%of wells nc.gov/oee/programs/weliwater.html. exceeding the federal guidance.See map for areas There you can find: with elevated sodium. • Contacts for your county private well program • Sodium in well water maps What if my sodium levels • A guide for selecting a treatment system are high? • Other private well resources If you are concerned about the taste of your well You can also call the Private Well and Health Program water or have a preexisting condition,you can install at 919-707-5900. a treatment system to reduce the levels of sodium in your private well.Treatment systems that reduce the Where did this information levels of sodium in your well water include: come from? • Distillation • Reverse osmosis World Health Organization:www.who.int/water_ sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/sodium.pdf You can also reduce your exposure by using bottled water or connecting to public water supply,if possible. US Environmental Protection Agency:www.epa. gov/sites/production/files/2014-09/documents/ support_ccl_sodium_dwreport.pdf US Geological Survey:http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/ gwrp/saltwater/salt.html NC Department of Health and Human Services•Division of Public Health•Epidemiology Section•Occupational and Environmental Y/r. \C id'I Epidemiology Branch•Private Well and Health Program•bttos://eoi.oublichealth.nc.gov/oee/orograms/wellwater.html•NCDHHS is an - n°.a.c,.t, equal opportunity employer and provider.•09/2019