National Groundwater Awareness Week March 6-12

[March 08, 2011]  The Logan County Department of Public Health in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals would like to recognize Groundwater Awareness Week. To promote awareness, this is a reminder to everyone to protect the groundwater, our main drinking water source, and take proper care of your water well.

Just as you check your furnace or smoke detector batteries seasonally, spring is a good season to have an annual water well checkup before the peak water use season begins, according to the Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals. The association recommends an annual checkup by a qualified water well contractor as the best way to ensure problem-free service and quality water.

Also, preventive maintenance usually is less costly than emergency maintenance, and good well maintenance -- like good car maintenance -- can prolong the life of your well and related equipment.

The association further recommends that you test your water whenever there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or when the system is serviced.

Wells can provide high-quality drinking water, and about half the U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells. But with well ownership comes the responsibility of keeping the water well in good working order.

A check of your well by a qualified water well contractor may include:

• A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping, if possible; test of pump motor performance, checking amp load, grounding and line voltage; check of pressure tank and pressure switch contact; and check of general water quality for any odor or cloudiness.

• A well equipment inspection to assure it's sanitary and meets local code.

• A test of your water for coliform bacteria, nitrates and anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance and odor.

The Logan County Department of Public Health also recommends that well owners:

• Keep stored hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides and motor oil, far away from your well, and maintain a "clean" zone of at least 50 feet between your well and any kennels and livestock operations.

• Avoid contaminating the ground with hazardous chemicals that are not intended to be introduced onto the ground surface. Chemicals misused in such a manner can seep into the ground and contaminate the groundwater we drink.

• Maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste disposal systems and chemical storage areas.

• Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the well casing to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects, rodents and other contaminants.

• Keep your well records in a safe place. These may include the construction report and annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.

For more information, contact the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317 or go to the website www.iagp.org.

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Information source: Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]