Millions of people in rural communities have wells on their property from which they get their drinking water. However, since well water doesn’t go through a purification process, it can have harmful contaminants in it.
Many wells are contaminated by runoff from nearby farms that use chemical pesticides or herbicides. Fortunately, you can have the water tested to find out what is in it and determine if it’s safe to drink.
Types of Contaminants
Well water can have both natural and manmade contaminants that can make people who use it for drinking sick. Along with minerals such as arsenic, magnesium, and calcium, it can contain metals, chemicals, and harmful viruses. Well water testing from the Grants Pass water lab may reveal contaminants such as pesticides, animal waste from feedlots, or human waste from overflowing sewers.
Diseases Outbreaks
Water from contaminated aquifers can cause disease outbreaks in a community. People taken ill may have signs of gastrointestinal issues or neurological problems or, in some cases, there may be signs of reproductive problems. A water lab can check for diseases such as:
- Hepatitis A
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Enterovirus
To check the level of contamination and the type of contaminants in your well water, the Centers for Disease Control recommends getting your well water tested every year by companies such as Neilson Research Corporation that conduct lab tests.
Easy Testing
Getting well water tested for contaminants can be easily done. A water lab may offer testing kits for sale. The cost is related to how much testing you want done and all you need to do is send them a sample of your well water after you receive the kit. If testing shows dangerous levels of contaminants, then you can test the water in other areas on your property to find a safe place to drill a new well. Visit website for more info about the water lab testing in Grants Pass, OR.
