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Twon water quality, testing and treatment tagd march 2017
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Twon water quality, testing and treatment tagd march 2017
Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts
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Twon water quality, testing and treatment tagd march 2017
- Water Quality, Testing and Treatment
- Water Quality and Testing Drinking water standards Common contaminants Testing Why? When? What?
- Drinking Water Quality Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 1974 (SDWA): Establishes standards for surface and groundwater sources used for drinking water. EPA sets standards based on whether a contaminant: 1. Harms human health 2. Is known to occur in drinking water 3. Can be detected in drinking water TCEQ is required to enforce the SDWA Water Quality Law and Policy
- Texas Private Well Regulations • Well location requirements • Well construction • No requirements for water testing or maintenance after construction Water Supply Regulations EPA – National Drinking Water Standards • Public water systems • Primary Standards – Health • Secondary Standards – Nuisance • Can be used as a guide for your private well.
- Secondary Standards • Secondary standards, or SMCL • Set for aesthetic considerations Taste Color Odor • 15 contaminants • Examples: Iron Sulfate TDS EPA Drinking Water Standards Primary Standards • Maximum Contaminant Level, or MCL • Pose risks to human health • Over 80 contaminants • Examples: Nitrate E. coli Arsenic Organic chemicals and pesticides
- Water Well Testing FAQs How often should the well be tested? • Annually for bacteria. • Every few years for general chemistry such as nitrates and salts. • As frequently as needed for other contaminants of concern (http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm) How much will it cost? • Varies depending on analyses selected. • Basic E. coli test should be less than $50. How do I find a lab? • County Health Departments • NELAC-certified labs on TCEQ website
- Private Well Testing Drinking Water Testing: • County Health Departments and River Authorities • NELAC-certified labs on TCEQ website http://www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/certified_labs 512-239-3754
- Private Well Testing
- Private Well Testing Irrigation and Livestock: Texas AgriLife Extension Service Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory at TAMU (http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/)
- Private Well Testing
- Fecal Bacteria Microscopic organisms found in feces of humans and other warm-blooded animals Not all are harmful by themselves Indicator organisms: indicate presence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites Fecal coliform and E. coli are most commonly tested
- Why Check for Fecal Coliform? • Indicator bacteria Indicates disease risk from other organisms that are pathogenic • Cost effective • MCL (maximum contaminant level) is 0 colonies/100 ml • Test annually and each time the well is opened or repaired
- HUMANS 50 FT. MINIMUM SEPARATION 100 FT. MINIMUM SEPARATION DRAIN/SPRAY FIELD Sources of Bacteria
- LIVESTOCK • 150 FT. MINIMUM SEPARATION • DOWN SLOPE FROM WELL Sources of Bacteria
- DOMESTIC ANIMALS 150 FT. MINIMUM SEPARATION FROM PENS, YARDS AND RUNS Sources of Bacteria
- Nitrate • Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) Pregnant/ nursing women Infants Elderly/ suppressed immune systems • Sources: fertilizer, animal waste, sewage Treatment: reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation
- Nitrate MCL = 10 ppm
- Sources of Nitrates HUMANS 50 FT. MINIMUM SEPARATION 100 FT. MINIMUM SEPARATION DRAIN/SPRAY FIELD
- FERTILIZER Sources of Nitrates STORAGE: 150 FT. MINIMUM SEPARATION
- ANIMAL WASTE Sources of Nitrates • 150 FT. SEPARATION FOR PETS AND LIVESTOCK • WILDLIFE: NO GUIDELINES
- • Level of dissolved minerals, including salts • More than 500 mg/L tastes salty • Sodium is often referred to as a measure of salinity, most common cause of high TDS in Texas Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- . Salinity Tolerance - Animals PPM TDS 0 - 3,000 O.K. for all livestock 3,000 – 4,999 Satisfactory, may result in temporary refusal/diarrhea; poor quality for poultry 4,999 - 6,999 Reasonably safe, not for pregnant/ lactating animals 6,999 - 10,000 Risky to young, pregnant/lactating animals or animals under heat stress >10,000 Unsuitable for all livestock
- . Salinity Tolerance - Plants PPM TDS 0 - 175 Excellent, no risk to plants 175 – 525 Good, not for sensitive plants 525 – 1,400 Permissible, not for low salt tolerant plants 1,400 – 2,100 Doubtful, damage to high salt tolerant plants >2,100 Unsuitable
- . Other Water Quality Concerns: Boron PPM Plants <1 Toxicity to many sensitive plants may occur at 1 ppm. 2-10 Most perennial grasses relatively tolerant at 2-10. Livestock <5 CAST recommendation Boron can become toxic to some plants when the soil-water concentration exceeds optimum plant growth levels
- Critical Levels for Irrigation Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) Units Corn Sorghum Cotton umhos/cm 1100 2700 5100 uS/cm 1100 2700 5100 mmhos/cm 1.1 2.7 5.1 dS/m 1.1 2.7 5.1 ppm 704 1728 3264 mg/L 704 1728 3264
- Crop Response to Irrigation Water Salinity (EC) Crop Percent Yield Reduction 0% 10% 25% 50% Corn 1.1* 1.7 2.5 3.9 Peanut 2.1 2.4 2.7 3.3 Sorghum 2.7 3.4 4.8 7.2 Soybean 3.3 3.7 4.2 5.0 Wheat 4.0 4.9 6.4 8.7 Bermudagrass 4.6 5.7 7.2 9.8 Cotton 5.1 6.4 8.4 12.0 *EC in dS/m
- Critical Levels for Irrigation Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) Units Carrot Boxwood Bermudagrass umhos/cm 500 2000 4600 uS/cm 500 2000 4600 mmhos/cm 0.5 2.0 4.6 dS/m 0.5 2.0 4.6 Ppm 320 1280 2944 mg/L 320 1280 2944
- Sodium (Na) Hazard Sodic Soil Condition • Na accumulates on soil • Loss of structure, hard, compacted • Infiltration, aeration, root growth greatly reduced Measurement • Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) has no units
- SAR – Soil Sodium Absorption Ratio Sodium concentration in relation to calcium and magnesium concentrations • Na can replace Calcium and Magnesium adsorbed on soil clays • Causes dispersion of soil particles • Soil becomes hard and compact, and water infiltration is affected • Soil structure can be damaged
- . SAR – Soil Sodium Absorption Ratio <10 No sodium hazard. May be used on all sensitive crops. 10-18 Medium sodium hazard. Gypsum and leaching needed. 19-26 High sodium hazard. Generally unsuitable for continued use. >26 Very high sodium hazard. Generally unsuitable for use. Sodium relative to calcium and magnesium concentrations SAR Value Sodium Hazard and Comments
- . Other Water Quality Concerns: Sulfate Target Concentrations Domestic water: > 250 ppm can cause diarrhea (Secondary Drinking Water Standard) Irrigation water: Moderate concentration can reduce growth or cause specific injury Adds to salinity Livestock water: > 2000 ppm can cause diarrhea in most livestock
- . Other Water Quality Concerns: Chloride Target Concentrations Domestic water: > 250 ppm may cause salty taste (Secondary Drinking Water Standard) Irrigation water: >900 ppm is considered non-suitable for all agronomic crops Livestock water: Limit not currently established Adds to salinity
- Routine Test: • Conductivity • SAR • Individual ions 3-Level Rating: • Acceptable • Limiting • Very Limiting
- Crop Management • Select more tolerant plant species Managing Marginal Quality Irrigation Water
- Resources Dr. Guy Fipps http://twon.tamu.edu/fact-sheets/
- Crop Management • Select more tolerant plant species. Water Management • Water “deeply” to leach salts (leaching fraction) Managing Marginal Quality Irrigation Water
- Leaching Fraction to Control Salt Accumulation in Soil Water salinity (mmhos/cm) • Depends on salinity of the soil and the applied water • Can require 5-100% extra water to control salts
- Managing Marginal Quality Irrigation Water Crop Management • Select more tolerant plant species Water Management • Water “deeply” to leach salts (leaching fraction) • Typically 5-75% extra water Soil Management • Mulch to reduce evaporation and improve leaching • Deep tillage to improve drainage • Chemical amendments – gypsum to remove sodium • Routine soil testing to monitor
- Soil Amendments for Sodium Management
- Gypsum Rate Based on ESP (SAR)
- Iron and Manganese • Nuisance –unpleasant taste, odor, and color • Secondary MCL: Iron = 0.3 mg/L Manganese = .05 mg/L • Stains- Iron (reddish brown) Manganese (brownish black) on concrete, laundry, and plumbing fixtures
- Iron and Manganese Treatment Treatment depends on type and concentration • Initially clear, but particles form and settle out • Water from tap has solid particles or has a tint • Iron/manganese bacteria- reddish or black slime in toilet or faucets. Treatment: Phosphate injection, water softener, oxidizing filter, aeration/filtration, shock treatment and filtration
- Hydrogen Sulfide • Colorless gas with a “rotten egg” odor • Formed by sulfur- and sulfate-reducing bacteria that can occur naturally in groundwater • Shallow or poorly constructed wells • Wells drilled in shale, sandstone, near coal or oil fields
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Treatment • If the smell is only from the hot water faucet, problem likely is in the water heater Ensure the water heater is set according to manufacturer’s recommendation – often 140o will help. Careful of scalding. Problem might be caused by a chemical reaction with the magnesium control rod (anode) o Can be removed or replaced with an aluminum or zinc rod. Consider a tankless heater. • If the smell is coming from both hot and cold faucets, but only from water treated by a water softener and not in the untreated water, problem likely is sulfur bacteria in the water softener. Hire a water treatment specialist to clean the water softener.
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Treatment • If the smell is strong when the water in both the hot and cold faucets is first turned on, and becomes weaker or goes away after the water has run for a while, or if the smell varies over time, the problem is likely sulfur bacteria in the well or plumbing system. If from sulfur-reducing bacteria, shock chlorination may treat; could follow with a UV filter OR manganese greensand filter (up to 10 ppm) or continuous chlorination system (6 to 75 ppm) • If the smell is strong when you first turn on the water in both the hot and cold faucets and is more or less constant and persists with use, the problem likely is H2S in the groundwater that supplies the well. A whole house carbon filter may remove enough (GAC up to 1 ppm and Catalytic C “more” depending on DO). Aeration tank, early-style pressure tank bladder (up to 2 ppm)
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Treatment
- What to Test for: Nearby Land Use Problem Type Symptoms Recommended Test Leaking fuel tank Hydrocarbon scan, VOCs Landfills TDS, pH, heavy metals Gas or oil drilling TDS, chloride, sodium, barium, lead, pH, corrosivity, strontium Coal mining TDS, iron, sulfate, pH, corrosivity, manganese, aluminum Septic system failure Fecal coliform/E. coli , nitrate Intensive agricultural use Total coliform, nitrate, pesticide scan, pH, TDS If suspect or observe
- What to Test for: Nuisance Problems Problem Type Symptoms Recommended Test Red or brown Iron Black Manganese Reddish-brown slime Iron bacteria White deposits, soap scum Hardness Rotten egg Hydrogen sulfide Metallic pH, iron, zinc, copper, lead Salty TDS, chloride, sodium Septic, musty, earthy Coliform bacteria, iron, methane Gasoline or oil Hydrocarbon scan, VOCs Soapy Surfactants, detergents Brown, yellow, reddish Iron Cloudy Turbidity, suspended solids Black Manganese Stains on Fixtures or Plumbing Odor or Taste Appearance of water
- What to test for: Health Concerns Problem Type Symptoms Recommended Test Gastrointestinal illness coliform bacteria, sulfates, Giardia Water supplies used for infants less than six months old, pregnant or nursing women, or elderly with genetically impaired enzyme system Nitrates Family member on recommended low-sodium diet Sodium Dicoloration of children's teeth Fluoride Uses or Symptoms
- Questions?
- Water Treatment Options
- Water Treatment Options • Particle and microfiltration • Activated carbon filter • Reverse osmosis • Distillation • Ion exchange – water softening • Disinfection • Continuous chlorination • Ultraviolet light
- Water Treatment • Test the well • Locate contamination source if possible • Check well construction • Inspect septic system • Eliminate source of contamination • Consider drilling new well Point of Entry (POE) Treats water as it enters a home, whole house Point of use (POU) Installed at the faucet
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists www.tceq.state.tx.us/
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists www2.tceq.texas.gov/lic_dpa/index.cfm
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists www2.tceq.texas.gov/lic_dpa/index.cfm?fuseaction=licall.searchgp
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists
- Licensed Water Treatment Specialists
- • Fecal coliform bacteria Indicator bacteria Indicates risk from other disease-causing organisms E. coli from human and animal digestive systems • Iron, manganese, and sulfur-reducing bacteria Nuisance bacteria, not a health risk Bacteria
- Shock Chlorination • Method of disinfecting a water well • Not a long term solution • Should be done anytime well system is “opened” • Recommended to contact a licensed well driller • If homeowner does it, make sure to follow correct procedure Treating Bacteria
- • If recurring, try to identify the source • To kill bacteria and viruses: Chlorination Ultraviolet light Ozone Distillation Treating Bacteria • If you have a positive test for E. coli: 1. Boil all water intended for drinking or cooking 2. Re-test your well water 3. Hire a well driller to disinfect the well thoroughly with chlorine 4. Monitor the water quality to ensure the problem does not recur
- Shock Chlorination of Stored Water • Check to see if storage tank is the source • Determine the correct amount of chlorine Treating Bacteria
- Continuous Chlorination • Requires “contact time” • Professionally installed Treating Bacteria • Disinfection by-products
- Ultraviolet systems (UV) • Disrupts bacteria life cycle • More effective than chlorine • Low cost to operate • Easy to maintain • No taste or odor Treating Bacteria
- • Ozone Systems Injects O3: oxidizes Treats bacteria, iron, manganese Point-of-Entry Treating Bacteria • Distillation Removes inorganic contaminants Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) may vaporize along with water and re-contaminate water Point-of-Use Distillation
- • Filtration Several types of filters Remove suspended solids Filters are made to remove specific particles sizes Can be used prior to other water treatments Filtration
- Filtration Media Filters Used for suspended solids Often used prior to other water treatment devices Requires back flushing Point-of-Entry
- Cartridges Primarily used for suspended solids Sized by pore space and flow rate Filtration Replace filters to avoid clogging Size by targeted contaminant
- Activated Carbon Filters • Coal or charcoal surface absorbs contaminants • Processed to make large surface area available for adsorption or chemical reaction • Replace carbon regularly • Point-of-use • Most common May treat: ― Chlorine ― Color ― Lead ― Radon ― Taste and odor
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) • Effective for a variety of contaminants • Pressure forces water through a membrane • Point-of-use • Could overwhelm septic Problem Pollutants Aluminum, Arsenic, Asbestos, Barium, Cadmium, Chloride, Chlorine, Chromium, Copper, Fluoride, Iron, Hardness, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nitrate, Radium, Radon, Silver, Sodium, Sulfate, Endrin, Heptachlor, Lindane
- Ion Exchange – Water Softener • Water softeners Calcium and magnesium ions exchanged with sodium or potassium Can remove some dissolved metals Will not remove particles, pathogens, organic chemicals Works best if water has been pre-filtered • Components Resin tank Brine tank • Automatic • Semiautomatic • Manual regeneration Recharge based on water usage NOT time • Dispose of discharged brine properly
- Ion Exchange – Water Softener Replacing hardness with salinity will extend appliances, but may damage soils in the septic leach field
- Resources on specific water quality issues available through: twon.tamu.edu and agrilifebookstore.org
- Questions?
Editor's Notes
- In this session we will look at drinking water standards and some common contaminants you might be experiencing. Also, testing– why do you need to, how often and for what? Some hesitate with testing because they don’t know where to even begin or what to test for.
- As hard as it is to believe, the first major legislation regarding drinking water quality didn’t occur until 1974, with the passage of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. This law protects public water supplies by establishing standards for both surface and groundwater sources that are used as drinking water. EPA sets these standards based on three criteria: Does the contaminant harm human health, is it known to occur in water, and can we measure it? If all three of these are met, then it’s on the list. Unlike those on public water supplies, private well owners have personal responsibility for testing the quality of their well water. And we know, as easily seen with a down-well camera, that wells can become compromised and that well owners need information.
- The SDWA does not apply to private water supplies like home wells. Testing and monitoring private supplies is the responsibility of the individual owner of the water supply. About 6 percent of Texans rely on private wells and other sources for their drinking water. Private domestic water supplies should be tested at least once a year. More frequent seasonal testing should be done in areas where drinking water supplies are obtained from shallow wells or surface water sources because these are more prone to contamination. The quality of water in a private well can change over time if the land use changes either in the immediate area or farther away where recharge of the aquifer occurs. Drinking water should be tested at the source (at or near the wellhead) and at the tap (kitchen or common use area). The TCEQ maintains a list of laboratories (google for TCEQ water lab list) certified by the state to analyze drinking water samples. The cost of testing a private well depends on the particular parameters that are analyzed.
- There are two categories of drinking water standards set by EPA: Primary and Secondary. Primary drinking water standards apply to substances that pose a risk to human health. For each contaminant EPA sets a maximum contaminant level (MCL) to indicate the dangers of being exposed to it over a lifetime. If your drinking water supply exceeds the MCL for any listed contaminant, you need have the water treated or find another water supply. Secondary drinking water standards are set for aesthetic considerations. For example: taste, color, and odor issues. EPA has set SMCLs for 15 contaminants. You can drink the water that exceeds SMCL without a health concern, but it may look, taste or smell bad.
- Some of the most frequently asked questions regarding water well testing to address before we get into contaminant-specific details. The URL provides a link to MCLs for various contaminants. For example, if you live in an area known to have arsenic in the groundwater, you would want to request that test when you have a water sample analyzed. The URL for the TCEQ web page for NELAP-certified labs is given in a later slide.
- For follow-up private well testing for water that will be used for human drinking water, contact your local county health department or use a private lab identified on the TCEQ website at http://www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/certified_labs. Over 40 pages and so don’t automatically print the file; just take notes regarding nearby labs that analyze for bacteria. Can also call 512-239-3754 for recommendations from TCEQ.
- For follow-up private well testing for water that will be used for human drinking water, contact your local county health department or use a private lab identified on the TCEQ website at http://www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/certified_labs. Over 40 pages and so don’t automatically print the file; just take notes regarding nearby labs that analyze for bacteria. Can also call 512-239-3754 for recommendations from TCEQ.
- URL for the AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Lab (SWFTL): http://soiltesting.tamu.edu. SWFTL is not a NELAC-certified lab and does not do analyses for bacteria, and so does not make recommendations regarding human drinking water. Forms available on-line. Indicate use and source of water. $20 dollar test (routine analysis) gives general chemistry through TDS on Report sheet (also shown in slide). $35 test includes some metals. Request $70 to get arsenic.
- URL for the AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Lab (SWFTL): http://soiltesting.tamu.edu. SWFTL is not a NELAP-certified lab and does not do analyses for bacteria, and so does not make recommendations regarding human drinking water. Forms available on-line. Indicate use and source of water. $20 dollar test (routine analysis) gives general chemistry through TDS on Report sheet (also shown in slide). $35 test includes some metals. Prices will be going up. Request $70 to get arsenic.
- Fecal bacteria are microscopic organisms found in the feces of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Not all fecal bacteria are harmful and they are actually found naturally inside the human digestive tract and aid in the digestion of food. Why do we measure the amount of bacteria in water? Because fecal bacteria are indicator organisms. When found in water, they indicate the potential presence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illness. The most commonly tested fecal bacteria indicators are total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, fecal streptococci, and enterococci (for salt waters). E. coli in particular is considered the best indicator of potential health risks that can result from contact with bacteria in freshwater. When fecal bacteria counts are high, there is a greater chance that pathogenic organisms also are present. If you swim in water with a high level of bacteria, you have a greater chance of developing an illness such as typhoid fever, hepatitis, dysentery, or ear infection. The most common illness associated with swimming in contaminated water is gastroenteritis, which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, headache, and diarrhea.
- Remember, fecal bacteria are microscopic organisms found in the gut and feces of humans and other warm-blooded animals. How can bacteria get into the water? What are the primary sources? Fecal bacteria can enter a body of water with the effluents from wastewater treatment plants and septic systems. Other sources are livestock, pets, wildlife, and humans. There should be at least 50 feet separating the wellhead and a septic tank. Also, there should be at least 100 feet between the drain field of a conventional septic system and 100 feet between the spray field of an aerobic wastewater treatment system and the wellhead.
- Livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and horses can contribute bacteria. Wastes from livestock should be at least 150 feet from the wellhead and livestock should be kept down slope of the well. Try to prevent your well from being in a low spot that can collect runoff or even be down slope from potential contaminants that may run past the well head.
- Many people don’t realize that their pets can impact water quality, but they can have a huge impact. Household pets, especially dogs, are a major source of bacteria. It is estimated that roughly 4.4 billion pounds of dog waste is produced every year in the United States. This would fill 900 football fields to a depth of 1 foot. A single gram of dog feces (one gram equals the weight of a dollar bill) contains 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. Waterborne diseases such as hepatitis, cholera and salmonella are associated with elevated bacteria levels and can pose severe risks to human health. As with livestock, pet waste should be separated from the wellhead by at least 150 feet.
- The screening test for Nitrate-nitrogen. We flag anything over 8 ppm to be conservative as we are providing a mobile field test.
- Septic systems, sewage, wastewater effluent. There should be at least 50 feet separating the wellhead and a septic tank. Also, there should be at least 100 feet between the drain field of a conventional septic system and 100 feet between the spray field of an aerobic wastewater treatment system and the wellhead.
- Fertilizers – applied to ag fields, lawns, soccer fields, etc. Fertilizers should be stored at least 150 feet away from the wellhead. The pump house is not a good place!
- Animal waste from all kinds of different animals. As with bacteria, sources of animal waste should be kept at least 150 feet away from the wellhead to protect the water from nitrate contamination. No guidelines for wildlife are possible, except that the well be properly constructed and maintained.
- Primary water quality standards protect human health. Secondary standards deal with nuisance/aesthetic qualities such as color, taste, and clarity. Sometimes TDS is largely made up of sodium concentrations. If sodium concentrations are greater than 20 ppm (secondary standard for TDS is 500 ppm) and a household member is on a low-sodium diet, a point-of-use water treatment such as reverse osmosis or drinking bottled water should be considered.
- Livestock are less sensitive than plants, but may temporarily refuse water with TDS levels approaching 5,000 ppm. During Texas summers, TDS over 7,000 ppm is risky to livestock. Can dilute with fresher water, if there is an available source, but often there is not.
- Plants (and soil) can be affected by TDS levels. If well water is being used for irrigation, TDS levels should be evaluated.
- Source Boron may be naturally found in ground water, in surface water as an industrial pollutant or as a product of agricultural runoff and decaying plant materials. Issues Sensitive crops may be affected at levels of 0.33 ppm; semi-tolerant crops may be affected at levels of 0.33 – 0.67 ppm; and tolerant crops may be affected at levels above 0.67 ppm. Boron can become toxic to some plants when the soil-water concentration exceeds that required for optimum plant growth. Generally, toxic boron concentrations in the soil are found only in arid regions of Texas. Crops vary to tolerance of boron, therefore, water that is marginal for sensitive plants may still be used for more tolerant crops. Note: If the boron level in your water exceeds 1.0 ppm, then boron levels may increase in your soil. Clay soils accumulate boron faster than sandy soils. Treatment/Practices Reverse osmosis and distillation. Target Concentrations Domestic water: No EPA drinking water standard set, see TDS section. Irrigation water: Toxicity to many sensitive plants may occur at 1 ppm. Most perennial grasses are relatively tolerant at 2-10 ppm. (Rowe and Abdel-Mazid, 1995). Cotton threshold for boron is 1-2. Livestock water: CAST (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology) levels established at 5.0 ppm.
- Sulfates are dissolved from rock and soil containing gypsum, iron sulfides, and other sulfur compounds. They may be found in surface water as an industrial pollutant commonly from coal mining, industrial wastes and sewage, and streams draining from coal or metal-sulfide mines. Issues Sulfate in water containing calcium forms hard scale in steam boilers. In large amounts, sulfates can result in bitter, medicinal tastes, laxative effects or “rotten egg” odor from hydrogen sulfide gas formation (see TCE L-5312). Treatment/Practices Reverse osmosis is considered the best overall method for sulfate reduction. Target Concentrations Domestic water: > 250 ppm can cause diarrhea (Secondary Drinking Water Standard). Irrigation water: Moderate concentration of sulfate can reduce growth or cause specific injury. Refer to salinity section. Livestock water: > 2000 ppm can cause diarrhea in most livestock.
- Sulfates are dissolved from rock and soil containing gypsum, iron sulfides, and other sulfur compounds. They may be found in surface water as an industrial pollutant commonly from coal mining, industrial wastes and sewage, and streams draining from coal or metal-sulfide mines. Issues Sulfate in water containing calcium forms hard scale in steam boilers. In large amounts, sulfates can result in bitter, medicinal tastes, laxative effects or “rotten egg” odor from hydrogen sulfide gas formation (see TCE L-5312). Treatment/Practices Reverse osmosis is considered the best overall method for sulfate reduction. Target Concentrations Domestic water: > 250 ppm can cause diarrhea (Secondary Drinking Water Standard). Irrigation water: Moderate concentration of sulfate can reduce growth or cause specific injury. Refer to salinity section. Livestock water: > 2000 ppm can cause diarrhea in most livestock.
- These are common elements that can be dissolved by groundwater. SMCL: water that contains less than .3 mg/L of iron and .05 mg/L of Mn should not have unpleasant odor, taste, or appearance and should need no treatment. Water with high concentrations of iron and manganese often contains naturally occurring iron or manganese bacteria. These bacteria feed on the minerals in the groundwater and form a reddish brown (iron) or brownish black (manganese) slime in toilet tanks and can clog water systems. Well water with iron and/or manganese concentrations may be clear when it is drawn from the tap, but particles may soon form and settle at the bottom of the container once the water is exposed to air.
- These are common elements that can be dissolved by groundwater. SMCL: water that contains less than .3 mg/L of iron and .05 mg/L of Mn should not have unpleasant odor, taste, or appearance and should need no treatment. Water with high concentrations of iron and manganese often contains naturally occurring iron or manganese bacteria. These bacteria feed on the minerals in the groundwater and form a reddish brown (iron) or brownish black (manganese) slime in toilet tanks and can clog water systems. Well water with iron and/or manganese concentrations may be clear when it is drawn from the tap, but particles may soon form and settle at the bottom of the container once the water is exposed to air.
- These anaerobic bacteria use sulfates and sulfur compounds found in decaying plant material, usually derived from leaves falling or roots growing into the well, to convert organic compounds into energy. Under these anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), hydrogen sulfide forms as a by product. Shallow or poorly constructed wells or those located close to sewer line or septic systems and surface water can become contaminated with sewage and develop problems with hydrogen sulfide. If it is only in your hot water it may be caused by chemical reaction with sacrificial metal rode (anode). As the rod releases small amounts of magnesium, some hydrogen also is released. The hydrogen can the combine with sulfur in the water to form hydrogen sulfide.
- These anaerobic bacteria use sulfates and sulfur compounds found in decaying plant material, usually derived from leaves falling or roots growing into the well, to convert organic compounds into energy. Under these anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), hydrogen sulfide forms as a by-product. Shallow or poorly constructed wells or those located close to sewer lines or septic systems and surface water can become contaminated with sewage and develop problems with hydrogen sulfide. If it is only in your hot water it may be caused by chemical reaction with sacrificial metal rode (anode). As the rod releases small amounts of magnesium, some hydrogen also is released. The hydrogen can the combine with sulfur in the water to form hydrogen sulfide.
- These anaerobic bacteria use sulfates and sulfur compounds found in decaying plant material, usually derived from leaves falling or roots growing into the well, to convert organic compounds into energy. Under these anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), hydrogen sulfide forms as a by-product. Shallow or poorly constructed wells or those located close to sewer lines or septic systems and surface water can become contaminated with sewage and develop problems with hydrogen sulfide. If it is only in your hot water it may be caused by chemical reaction with sacrificial metal rode (anode). As the rod releases small amounts of magnesium, some hydrogen also is released. The hydrogen can the combine with sulfur in the water to form hydrogen sulfide.
- These anaerobic bacteria use sulfates and sulfur compounds found in decaying plant material, usually derived from leaves falling or roots growing into the well, to convert organic compounds into energy. Under these anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), hydrogen sulfide forms as a by-product. Shallow or poorly constructed wells or those located close to sewer lines or septic systems and surface water can become contaminated with sewage and develop problems with hydrogen sulfide. If it is only in your hot water it may be caused by chemical reaction with sacrificial metal rode (anode). As the rod releases small amounts of magnesium, some hydrogen also is released. The hydrogen can the combine with sulfur in the water to form hydrogen sulfide.
- This table is in the take-home folder. If there is large amount of activity around you that may cause some contamination these are tests to consider. If you don’t have a problem, then it is still good to establish a baseline to compare to for changes every few years.
- Here are some nuisance problems that are common around a household. Do you have any issues with these symptoms? Here are some suggested test for the water issues you may have.
- Health concerns: if you are experiencing frequent stomach sickness then you may want to look at getting your well tested. Coliform bacteria is recommended to be tested for annually. Any infants or pregnant women in the home? It is recommended to test for nitrates. Low sodium diet: remember sodium may also be in your water, too.
- Areas around a farmstead that may contribute contaminants. There can be a lot of things going on around your home, and while not all bad to do, the homeowner should be careful to execute correctly to protect the water supply.
- Water treatment options. Here we will look at treatment options that are in common use and we will go over which contaminants are treated by various techniques.
- Water treatment options. Here we will look at treatment options that are in common use and we will go over which contaminants are treated by various techniques.
- Test your well- Only way to determine contamination levels is to have your well tested. Any doubt re-test before water treatment system Locate contamination source- Treatment options should be considered only after an effort to locate and control the contamination source ex. Septic tank, improper storage in and around well house and well head Eliminate source- Sometimes the contamination source is local such as septic, chemical, flooding issues, leaking storage tank. Consider drilling new well- Your well may be in a contaminated aquifer and drilling deeper or moving may be the best way to get safer water. Consider these steps before treatment options are looked at.
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- How do you find a water treatment provider you can trust?
- Here is bacteria again, remember the MCL for coliform bacteria is 0. we do not want any in our drinking water. There is also iron, manganese, and sulfur reducing bacteria that can cause nuisance issues. You can see the red slime on the pump that was pulled out of the well in the bottom picture.
- It is recommended when a water system is contaminated with bacteria to disinfect the well. Contamination can occur when the well is installed, repairs are made, when runoff enters the well. If the groundwater itself is the source of bacteria then source will need to be addressed or the system will be contaminated every time water is pumped into the plumbing. It this case a continuous chlorination would be necessary. We recommend a licensed driller to chlorinate, but if well owner decides to the make sure and know and follow correct procedure. One of the steps to find out the water standing in the well. Take total depth of well from the static level to get standing water.
- If the contamination is a recurring problem, try to identify the source of the problem (such as a defective well seal, or cracked casing) and fix it. You can also investigate the feasibility of drilling a new well or install a disinfection unit, which could use chlorination, ultraviolet light, ozone or distillation to kill bacteria and viruses.
- It is recommended when a water system us contaminated with bacteria to disinfect the well. Contamination can occur when the well is installed, repairs are made, when runoff enters the well. If the groundwater itself is the source of bacteria then source will need to be addressed or the system will be contaminated every time water is pumped into the plumbing. It this case a continuous chlorination would be necessary. We recommend a licensed driller to chlorinate, but if well owner decides to the make sure and know and follow correct procedure. One of the steps to find out the water standing in the well. Take total depth of well from the static level to get standing water.
- Private wells can be chlorinated by chlorine pumps, solid feed units, and batch disinfectors. The chlorine injector should operate only while the water is being pumped, and the pump should switch off if the chlorinator supply is depleted. The chlorination process forms disinfection by-products, such as chloroform, by mixing chlorine with other constituents in the well water. Some of these chemicals are health hazards. Well owners chlorinating their water should have it tested for excessive levels of disinfection by-products in the treated water.
- Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection uses a UV light source, which is enclosed in a transparent protective sleeve. It is mounted so that water can pass through a flow chamber, and UV rays are admitted and absorbed into the stream. When ultraviolet energy is absorbed by the reproductive mechanisms of bacteria and viruses, the genetic material (DNA/RNA) is rearranged and they can no longer reproduce. They are therefore considered dead and the risk of disease has been eliminated.
- Ozone (O3) has a very high oxidizing power. It is a gas produced from air and high voltage electricity. Ozone is injected into the water. Tiny ozone bubbles saturate every drop of water causing immediate oxidation of iron, sulfur and manganese. The elimination (off gassing or venting) of the ozone and other gasses/odors such as sulfur. This occurs by an ozone stripping action. As water flows down the Off Gas Tank, ozonated water rises and strips any gas in the incoming water. Distillation removes most problem pollutants, minus pesticides, herbicides, and taste and odor.
- Another treatment type of treatment is filtration. There are several types of filters and can be used for different issues. Each type of filter is made to remove specific particle sizes. Make sure you know your target contaminant and whether or not your filter is removing the problem or not.
- -Traps suspended solids such as clay, sand, and silt which gives water a cloudy appearance. -Some constituents in raw water can harm or reduce the effectiveness of other treatment devices. So even though it the cloudy water may only be nuisance problem, it may be important to have to aid your other treatment devices that are more important to you. Pay attention to the manufacturers recommendations on backwashing or replacing media to keep the filter from becoming clogged or over grown with bacteria. In some cases where sediment may be an issue with water-using appliances such as washing machines , dishwashers or hot water heaters, media filters may be Point-of –Entry
- The size of the particles retained depends on the pore space or the space between the fibers or granules. Most filters are rated by the smallest particle size they can trap. Filter pore space that are larger than the targeted contaminant will allow it to pass through. Know what you are trying to stop and get correct size. Going the smallest size to catch everything is not always the best way either. If the pore size of the filter medium is too small and the concentration of the suspended solids gets too high, the filter will get easily clogged and require frequent replacement. So, it is best to get the largest rating size that will remove the targeted contaminant and will require the least amount of maintenance.
- Reverse osmosis is becoming a common home treatment method for a variety of contaminates. This method is cost effective for a home that uses only a few gallons of water for human consumption per day. The more drinking water a household uses, the more expensive the treatment. RO operates by passing water under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane. The RO membrane must be replaced according to manufactures recommended schedule --- $$Prices? Most RO units have five components: --A prefilter to remove solids and extend membrane’s life -- An activated carbon filter to remove odors, flavors and chlorine --A semipermeable membrane through which water flows under pressure; the most effective treatment to remove nitrate using an RO system is a thin film composite membrane --A tank to hold the treated water --A drain connection for discharging the wastewater produced by the treatment process
- Water hardness is due to the presence of certain dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Hard water can cause scale build-up in hot water pipes, water heaters and plumbing fixtures, which can increase the costs of heating water and reducing the life of the appliance and plumbing system. Hard water minerals also interfere with the cleaning action of soaps and detergents, forming film on skin, clothing and fixtures. However, there is no known health hazard due to drinking hard water. --Pre-filtered---suspended solids in water, or water with iron or bacterial slimes, can clog a water softener. If these impurities pose a problem, filter them out before the water enters the softener or clean the softener manually periodically. Water softeners are available with automatic, semiautomatic or manual regeneration. Fully automatic units regenerate on a predetermined schedule (usually controlled by a clock) and return to service automatically. Semiautomatic units are started manually, but otherwise operate automatically. With manual units, all steps (backwashing, brining and rinsing) are performed manually.
- Water hardness is due to the presence of certain dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Hard water can cause scale build-up in hot water pipes, water heaters and plumbing fixtures, which can increase the costs of heating water and reducing the life of the appliance and plumbing system. Hard water minerals also interfere with the cleaning action of soaps and detergents, forming film on skin, clothing and fixtures. However, there is no known health hazard due to drinking hard water. --Pre-filtered---suspended solids in water, or water with iron or bacterial slimes, can clog a water softener. If these impurities pose a problem, filter them out before the water enters the softener or clean the softener manually periodically. Water softeners are available with automatic, semiautomatic or manual regeneration. Fully automatic units regenerate on a predetermined schedule (usually controlled by a clock) and return to service automatically. Semiautomatic units are started manually, but otherwise operate automatically. With manual units, all steps (backwashing, brining and rinsing) are performed manually.
- Here is some a table of visual water problems, like water color or some staining issues you may have. And on the right are the cause and the treatment devices that can be used. The chart is located in the back of everyone's handbook (pp. 78-80). Go through some as examples. (they will have copy to use) table is printed on pp. 78-80 of the TWON Handbook.
- No need to go through all of this detail. This is just a cue to tell attendees that an informative reference table is printed on pp. 78-80 of the TWON Handbook.
- Here is some a table of some illness and appliance problems issues you may have. And on the right are the cause and the treatment devices that can be used. The chart is located in the back of everyone's handbook. Go through some as examples. (they will have copy to use)
- AgriLife Extension has several series of publications that may be of interest: the Drinking Water Problems series, the Tex*A*Syst and new TWON series, and well plugging and septic system publications from the Department of Biological and Ag Engineering. These publications can be found at our website or the AgriLife bookstore.
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