SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROJECT
SWPA-EHP Well Water Monitoring Strategy: test your water and
record the results
SWPA-EHP recommends that you test your water annually, as suggested by the PA Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP), for coliform bacteria, pH, nitrates and total dissolved solids
(TDS). If you live near natural gas extraction, we strongly recommend pre-drilling tests - testing
your water before drilling activity starts within three miles of your home. If possible, include
ethane/methane, conductivity and chloride in your baseline. Also include our list of targeted
water tests in your baseline test, if possible (see #3 below).
1. Monitor your water on a daily or weekly basis. Monitoring for pH and for
conductivity/TDS can warn you that a change in water chemistry has occurred, without identifying
what chemicals have caused the change.
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A pH test measures the acidity level in water.
Conductivity/TDS: Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to conduct
electrical current. TDS and conductivity are closely related measurements, because
pure water does not conduct electricity, but as dissolved particles and ions enter the
water, its conductivity increases. TDS measures the amount of dissolved solids in
water.
To test pH - first buy pH strips, available at local drugstores (a few dollars for a few strips) or
online in bulk (as many as 1,000 for $10.00 for example)
a. Pour water from your kitchen tap into a clean glass and let it sit until the water is
still.
b. Dip a dry pH strip into the glass for several seconds (consult the package for exact
guidelines).
c. Remove the strip and hold it level for 5-10 seconds as the color brightens.
d. Compare the colors on the strip to the guide printed on the instructions. Different
color shades indicate different pH levels.
e. Record the correlating number in your diary/data sheet.
f. Throw away the used strip, they are designed for single use only.
The average range for pH is between 6.5 and 8.5. If your levels are above or below this
range, see below or contact our office for more information. If your results are within the
normal range, continue to monitor weekly.
4198 Washington Road Suite 5, McMurray, PA 15317
Office: 724.260.5504 Cell: 724.249.7501
To test conductivity/TDS first buy an inexpensive monitor, such as the “Zero Water TDS meter.”
a. Pour water from your kitchen tap into a clean glass and let it sit until the water is
still.
b. Turn on your meter and dip it into the glass, following instructions
c. Your meter will provide a number – wait for it to stabilize before removing the
meter from the glass.
d. Record the correlating number in your diary/data sheet.
If you miss a day or two of monitoring, it’s OK! Just start the process again whenever you are
ready. If you would like help getting started, please contact us.
2. Keep a record of monitoring results. Also keep copies of all tests performed. Any
notes on perceived changes in water quality, such as taste, smell or clarity should also be
recorded.
Record your results like this:
DATE
pH
CONDUCTIVITY or TDS
NOTES
If you would like to share your results, you are able to send them to the SWPA-EHP office either
by mail or email:
o Mail results to:
SWPA Environmental Health Project
4198 Washington Road, Suite 5
McMurray, PA 15317
o Email results to Heather Bonaparte at
hbonaparte@environmentalhealthproject.org
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How To Think About Your Monitoring Results
pH test
Healthy levels of pH in well water range from 6.5 to 8.5. If your pH is either lower than 6.5 or
higher than 7.5, it may mean that your water quality has been compromised. You should have
your water tested by a certified lab.
Conductivity test
The standard measurement for conductivity is in microseimens per centimeter (µs/cm). In wells
around natural gas drilling and associated activity, conductivity levels are generally clustered
around two averages.
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10 0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
The levels clustered around the lower number probably reflect wells that have not been
contaminated. Levels clustered around the higher number may have been contaminated. If you
see numbers greater than 775 we suggest you get your water tested by a certified lab. If,
however, your conductivity measurements are below 775 and there are other signs that your
water is unsafe, you should consider getting it tested by a certified lab.
TDS test
A meter reading for TDS refers to the number of particles, measured in micrograms, found in a
liter of water (mg/L). In the well water tests we analyzed, if TDS was high, conductivity was also
high, and these findings often correlated with other kinds of contamination in the water samples.
In Pennsylvania the recommended MCL (maximum contaminant level) for TDS is 500mg/L If your
test result is higher than 500, we recommend further testing. Any level greater than 1000mg/L
should not be consumed.
Please call us if you’d like to discuss your test results.
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3. Targeted Water Tests
Every six months, or if monitoring test results warrant, test for the following, using a PA state
certified lab:
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vocs
strontium
barium
arsenic
potassium
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surfactants
sodium
glycols
calcium
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oil and grease
ethane/methane
flourides
iron
If you cannot afford many of these tests monitoring for conductivity/TDS and pH, which
are very inexpensive, will give you at least some information about your water quality. It
may tell you, in some circumstances but not all, when your well has been compromised.
We think it is well worth the small amount of effort it takes to conduct these weekly tests.
These recommendations are our best advice based on the very limited research that is available.
We are working with members of the local community over the next year to determine which of
these tests are most essential and most cost-effective. None of these strategies for monitoring
your well water are 100% effective. Potentially, contamination will occur undetected. But these
strategies are still extremely valuable when one considers the consequences of living with
contaminated water.
Keep in mind that our rationale and strategy recommendations may not support a legal case. Our
focus is to provide the very best advice available for protecting public health, regardless of legal
or political concerns.
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