Molly Jones, Clemson Extension Area Water Resources Agent
Residential wells are prevalent in the rural areas of South Carolina. Proper maintenance of well systems is crucial to ensuring safe drinking water. Being aware of recommendations for maintaining a residential well will assist well owners in avoiding possible illness from drinking contaminated water. Maintaining a clean potable water well system is especially important if household members are immunocompromised, such as pregnant women, children, and elderly residents. Clemson Extension’s Water Resources Team developed the chart below to demonstrate when well water should be tested.
Clemson’s diagnostic lab does not test for potable (drinking) water. These tests need to be conducted by the SC Department of Environmental Services or a private water testing lab.
EPA Drinking Water Standards are standards that identify potential risks to human health. They are broken into two categories, Primary Standards and Secondary Standards. Primary standards pose risks to human health and include over 80 potential contaminants, some of which include Nitrate, E. Coli, Arsenic, and Organic chemicals & pesticides. Secondary Standard affects aesthetic conditions such as taste, color, and odor. Some examples of contaminants that are not harmful to human health but can contribute to undesirable water include iron, sulfate, and total dissolved solids. pH is an important parameter to be tested with drinking wells, pH should fall within the EPA standards of 6.5 to 8.5 on the pH scale. Proper pH levels are important for the palatability of the water, the feel of the water, and preventing corrosion of pipes.
The environmental factors that can impact your well’s cleanliness include bacterial infiltration. Some common contributors to high levels of E. Coli include Humans (septic tank proximity to well), Livestock, and domestic animals on the property. Waterborne diseases such as Cholera, hepatitis, and salmonella are associated with high levels of E. Coli bacteria. It is important to keep animals’ droppings downslope of your well to avoid bacteria seepage into the well system. Construction nearby and agricultural activity near the property may also contribute to changes in the cleanliness of the well.
If a well has a positive test for E. Coli bacteria, it is recommended that the well owner follow the steps below.
- Boil all water intended for drinking or cooking
- Re-test the well water
- Hire a well driller to disinfect the well thoroughly with chlorine
- Monitor the water quality to ensure the problem does not recur
- Test annually and whenever the well is opened/repaired.
Testing residential drinking well information:
Clemson’s HGIC Fact Sheet on Testing Drinking Water provides information on procedures for testing residential wells. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/testing-drinking-water/
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services provides residential well water testing. Information and forms can be located at the provided link https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-water/residential-wells
From SCDES:
To test the water from a residential well, a well owner can obtain a sample kit from their local South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Regional Office or Health Department. There are two types of kits, one for a coliform bacteria test and one for a metals and minerals analysis. Each kit includes a form to fill out, a sterile bottle, and an instruction sheet. Follow the instructions carefully and return the sample as soon as possible (SCDES accepts samples on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays). *Do not pay for the analysis when you drop off your sample; your invoice will accompany the analytical results*
*SCDES DOES NOT REGULATE THE WATER QUALITY OF PRIVATE WELLS*
*IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THESE TESTS ARE NOT USED FOR REAL-ESTATE TRANSACTIONS*
For further information on maintaining residential wells, sign up for Be Well Informed through Clemson Online Courses. This is a self-paced course designed for beginners or anyone who relies on a private well for their household drinking water. This course is offered through Clemson Cooperative Extension and will help participants learn about ensuring their well provides safe drinking water. This course is FREE and can be enrolled in Here.
Information cited from
https://cpe.clemson.edu/browse/extension/water-resources/courses/be-well-informed
https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-water/residential-wells/well-water-quality-testing-services
Testing Drinking Water | Home & Garden Information Center
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