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Well Water Systems
In some areas of Jefferson County, a substantial number of residential dwellings receive water from private wells. Although most well water is of good quality, there are several contaminants, both naturally occurring and otherwise, which may affect the suitability of the water supply. Jefferson County Public Health recommends that well water be tested for certain contaminants. Information on water testing can be found on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's website [external link]. Find more information for understanding your well water test results [external link].
You're the Inspector
Unlike public water supplies which are continuously monitored, the responsibility for assuring a safe supply of water from private wells rests solely with the homeowner. An annual checkup by a qualified water well contractor is the best way to ensure problem-free service and quality water. In Colorado, there are no regulatory standards governing the quality of private water supplies. The maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) are set by the State and Federal governments and are based upon reasonable health impacts. Individual wells cannot be condemned by any governmental agency due to poor water quality.
Bacteria
Present throughout the soil are naturally occurring bacteria (referred to as coliforms) which may enter the water supply of individual wells. Although coliform bacteria are not pathogenic (disease-causing) themselves, their presence may indicate that other, more difficult to detect bacteria or viruses are also present. The level of coliform bacteria in a sample is reported as "present" or "absent," rather than reporting the number of bacteria.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element which may be present in individual well supplies. In concentrations of approximately 1.0 mg/l (milligrams per liter) fluoride is useful in preventing tooth decay. For this reason, it is added to many public supplies; however, if present in levels exceeding 2.0 mg/l, fluoride may cause pitting and mottling (brown staining) of the teeth, especially in young children. It is recommended that after testing you consult with your dentist or pediatrician for recommendations concerning the levels of fluoride in your well water.
Giardia
Giardia is a significant problem with surface water supplies (e.g., creeks, lakes, etc.) but it is rarely found in individual wells. Therefore, testing for giardia is seldom recommended for individual water wells. See the Giardia brochure (PDF) for more information.
Nitrate
Nitrate is a chemical that is typically associated with human or animal waste and may result from septic systems, horse enclosures or other such sources. In sufficient quantities, nitrogen-based fertilizer may also impact water quality. Small amounts of nitrates are present in virtually all individual water supplies in Jefferson County.
Consumption of water containing high levels of nitrate can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen and may present a health risk to infants. Levels in excess of 10 mg/l (expressed as Nitrogen) may be significant and should be reported to your doctor or pediatrician for evaluation and recommendations. For more information, view the Nitrate Removal Brochure (PDF).
Radiation
Radiation is a natural component of many groundwater supplies in Jefferson County due to the presence of uranium deposits and other minerals. From a health standpoint, uranium and radium-226 are the most important contaminants. Long-term consumption of water containing concentrations of radiation that exceed the safe drinking water standards may result in significant health effects such as cancer and, if uranium is involved, possible kidney damage.
Gross alpha represents overall radioactivity and is used as a screening test for deciding which specific radioactive chemicals to analyze for. The MCL dose for gross alpha is 15 pCi/l (picocuries per liter). A picocurie is a unit of measurement used to determine the amount of radioactive material that is in the water sample. The MCL for radium 226 is 3 pCi/liter. The standard set since 2000 for uranium in drinking water is 30 micrograms/L or 20 pCi/L
Testing Your Well Water
Typical well water tests for most areas should include bacteria, nitrate and fluorides. Find more information in the When to Test Your Well brochure (PDF) and the How to Interpret Water Test Results for a Private Well brochure (PDF).
There are several options for testing your well water:
- JCPH is offering water quality testing of private wells free of charge while supplies last. Private water supplies are not regulated by local or state agencies, and there are no regulatory requirements to test your well. However, if you don’t test the water from your well, you don’t know what is in the water you are drinking. JCPH recommends that you test your drinking water well once a year for signs of contamination. JCPH will provide the materials for water quality testing to property owners. The test results will allow JCPH to gain a better understanding of the current water quality conditions throughout the county. The test results will be shared with the property owner along with recommendations for treatment options if contaminants are found in the water. Personal Protected Information such as well owner name, well location and well permit number will not be provided to the public under any condition. To receive water quality test kit fill out the Private Well Water Testing Application.
- You may also consult a private laboratory for testing or you may order bottles from the State Health Department lab [external link] by calling 303-692-3074. These bottles and the accompanying forms will be mailed to you. Follow the directions for taking the sample and completing the forms. Then, take the bottles to the State lab at 8100 Lowry Boulevard. Unfortunately, JCPH is not offering courier services at this time. PLEASE DO NOT DELIVER WATER SAMPLES TO JCPH FOR TRANSPORT TO THE STATE LAB. Be sure to bring the completed lab forms and a check for the appropriate amount (cash not accepted).
Quantity
Although not directly related to water quality, quantity is an important consideration in judging the suitability of individual wells. The amount of water obtained from a well is related to how much the well produces and how much storage is available. For example, even a low-producing well may prove acceptable if there is sufficient storage of water to meet the peak demand. The actual gallonage requirements are based upon the individual needs of you or your family.
On average, a typical family uses 50 gallons of water per person per day. This figure does not include outside activities such as lawn watering. Many well permits, however, do not allow for irrigation, individual permits must be referenced regarding this type of use.
Water Treatment
If your water contains contaminants that exceed safe drinking water standards, treatment methods are available for household use. Contact Environmental Health Services at Jefferson County Public Health, 303-232-6301, for further assistance in determining whether treatment is desirable and, if so, what methods are available.