Testing of Private Wells

12/12/01

 

In Cayuga County, approximately 35% of the counties residents receive their drinking water from private wells. Unfortunately, well owners cannot take the safety of their wells for granted. In December 2000, residents and county officials were surprised to learn that a number of private wells located between the village of Union Springs and the city of Auburn were contaminated with volatile organic chemicals. For this reason, the Cayuga County Board of Health has passed a resolution establishing recommendations that homeowners have their wells tested periodically.

 

The top priority of the resolution is to educate well users on the importance of initial

testing and yearly testing there after of private wells to protect their health. Contaminants

in your well are often odorless and colorless, giving users no sign that there is a problem

with their water. Problems with wells can occur because of being poorly maintained or

improper construction that creates a pathway for contaminants. It is also possible that the

local groundwater was previously contaminated. Some sources of ground water

contamination include septic systems, active or inactive landfills, abandoned farm or

municipal dumps, underground petroleum storage tanks, improperly applied fertilizers or

pesticides, and household chemicals and industrial waste that have been improperly

disposed of to name a few.  Even though you may think you are not at risk for any of

these contaminants, testing should still be done because of the considerable distance these

chemicals can travel. Once the water is contaminated it is a difficult problem to fix. The

options included treating your water after pumping, drilling a new well, or getting your

water from another source.

 

The Cayuga County Board of Health is requesting that the Municipal Code Enforcement

Officers and well drillers provide to homeowners information regarding risks associated

with well water. In additions, make sure that the well driller that you hire is certified by

the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to assure they are

familiar with proper construction standards.

 

If you are having a well drilled, it is important to choose a location away from any known

sources of pollution. Once the well is installed, the Cayuga County Department of Health

and Human Services recommends testing for coliform, nitrate, and volatile organic

chemicals at a New York State certified laboratory. Don't assume that a well is safe if

no other contamination has been reported in your area. There is no guarantee that yours

is safe and will continue to be into the future. Yearly testing is the best assurance of your

family's health. For additional information on well installations, well water quality, or a

list of certified laboratories, please call the Environmental Health Division of the Cayuga

County Health and Human Services Department at 253-1405.