HEALTHY HOMES TRAINING CENTER
Provides training on addressing housingrelated health hazards
◘
Promotes cross-training of public health
and housing practitioners
◘
Facilitates an exchange of guidance and
new research
◘
Promotes networking, collaboration, and
partnerships
2
What will this presentation cover?
 Domestic well water quality and public
health
 Private well use in your area
 Common contaminants and health impacts
 Resources available at the federal, state,
county or local level
 Recommendations to provide to your clients
3
Private Well Testing
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations
States
• Require testing at
sale of home
Local Governments
Pediatricians
• Provide
information and
recommendations
• Speak with
patients about
private well use
• Improve
convenience of
testing
• Recommend
testing according
to algorithm
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Environmental Health and Committee on Infectious Diseases (2009).
4
Drinking Water From Private Wells and Risks to Children. Pediatrics 2009; 123; 1599-1605.
Public Water Systems & Safe
Drinking Water Act
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
Public water systems must comply with water
quality standards, but NOT private wells
5
Domestic (Private) Well Use in the United States
Kenny, J.F., Barber, N.L., Hutson, S.S., Linsey, K.S., Lovelace, J.K., & Maupin, M.A. (2009). Estimated use of water in the united states in 2005
6 (pp. 1-52).
Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey.
7
68° W
New
England
70° W
CANADA
UNITED STATES
Arsenic in water
from public
bedrock wells in
New England
46° N
CANADA
72° W
44° N
ARSENIC CONCENTRATIONS
BY AQUIFER TYPE
Approximately one in five NH wells
have arsenic in excess of the federal
drinking water standard, meaning 10%
of the state’s population (~120,000
people) could be chronically exposed to
high levels of arsenic.
Public
Bedrock
(n=1855)
Arsenic
(µg/L)
Public
Unconsolidated
(n=186)
<5
5 - 10
10 - 20
> 20
42° N
0
50
100
KILOMETERS
Ayotte et al. (2003). “Arsenic Groundwater in Eastern New England:
Occurrence, Controls, and Human Health Implications.” Environ. Sci.
Technol. 37(10): 2075-2083.
8
FIGURE 1. Arsenic concentrations in source waters to public-supply wells in New England.
USGS spatially predicted probabilities of arsenic
concentrations in groundwater in NH
9
Ayotte, J.D., Cahillaine, M., Hayes, L., & Robinson, K.W. (2012). Estimated probability of arsenic in groundwater from bedrock aquifers in NewHampshire, 2011:
U.S. Geological survey scientific investigations report 2012–5156 (pp. 1-25)
Low Doses: Manganese and Arsenic
 High manganese in drinking water can
lead to lower IQ in exposed children
 High arsenic levels correlate with
decreased cognitive function in children
10
Sources, human health benchmarks, and possible health effects of contaminants*
Contaminant
Source
Human health benchmark
Value
E. coli; Legionella;
Giardia;
Cryptosporidium
Type**
Goal: zero;
Human and animal fecal waste; some are
No more than 5.0% samples total coliformnaturally present
positive in a month
Fluoride
Naturally in water in a few parts of the U.S.
Lead
Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion
of natural deposits
4 mg/L
15 µg/L
Possible health effects
Gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea; vomiting;
cramps); Legionnaire's Disease
MCL
Dental fluorosis at high doses
EPA Action Level
Children: developmental delays; possible deficits
in attention span and learning abilities
Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure
Nitrate/Nitrite
Fertilizer use; manure; sewage and septicsystem effluent; aquifer materials
0.05 mg/L
Secondary MCL
Neural tube defects; central nervous system
defects; oral cleft defects; musculoskeletal
defects; congenital heart defects;
methemoglobinemia; possible promoter of
carcinogenesis
Radon
Radioactive decay of uranium in aquifer;
building materials
10 mg/L
MCL
Increased risk of lung cancer for radon in air;
slight increase in risk of stomach cancer for
ingested radon
Uranium
Aquifers
4,000 pCi/L
EPA Action Level
Increased risk of cancer; kidney toxicity
Varies;
MtBe – 13 µg/L
Proposed MCL
Compound-specific effects
Volatile organics Dry cleaning and gasoline; leaking storage
and pesticides (e.g.,
tanks and pipelines; gasoline spills; air
MtBE)
deposition; unidentified sources
*Modified and adapted from DeSimone, Hamilton, & Gillom, 2009 and the AAP Committee on Environmental Health and Committee on Infectious Diseases, 2009
**MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level; HBSL = Health-Based Screening Level
Testing Private Well
Water
12
Social Dimensions of Private Well Testing:
Why Don’t People Test their Water?
Top 10 reasons:
13
Source: Barbara Liukkonen, U of MN Extension; Lori Severtson, School of Nursing, UW-Madison; Ruth Kline-Robach, Institute of Water Resources,
Outreach in Action
Water Samples Per Month
200
Town-sponsored water
testing days
150
100
50
0
14
Speak with well owners about
the importance of testing!
 Recommend testing
ANNUALLY for bacteria and
every 3 - 5 years for contaminants of concern
15
Recommended Tests (NH)
16
Arsenic
Bacteria
Chloride
Copper
Fluoride
pH
Hardness
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Nitrate/Nitrite
Radon
Sodium
Uranium
Analytical Gross Alpha
VOCs
Testing Is Easy
Collect sample
 Homeowner - lab kit with instructions
 Qualified Professional – water treatment company
Send sample to laboratory
 State Accredited Laboratories
 County Health Departments
Contact laboratory before sampling for specific
sampling instructions and containers
17
Treatment May Be Required
Direct
well owners to
online resources if test
levels exceed MCL
18
Provide resources and
educational materials to well
users
Hard copy handouts can direct clients to more
information
19
National
Tools
and
Resources
Tools and Resources for Homeowners
for Well Users
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• Private Groundwater Wells
Colorado State University Extension
• Water Quality Interpretation Tool
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• State Private Drinking Well Information
• State Certification Officers for Drinking Water Laboratories
20
21
Look for State-Offered Guidance
22
Look for State-Offered Guidance
23
Financial Resources
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Rural Development Office

504 Program
Applies to lower income or elderly
residents
 Contact an office in your state for information to
provide to clients
24
Final Thoughts on Well Water Testing
Most well users
do not test
regularly
Serious immediate
and/or long-term
health impacts
Advise well users to follow
recommended testing schedule
Treat contaminated
water or find alternate
source
Exposure to
contaminants in well
water is prevalent in
the US
Communication and education is key!
25
Pierce Rigrod
Source Protection Program
Drinking Water & Groundwater Bureau
NHDES / 29 Hazen Drive / Concord, NH
Phone 603.271.0688
Email: Pierce.Laskey-Rigrod@des.nh.gov
Contact Information
26