2018 Wellness Expo

Page 20 2018 Wellness Expo LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Wednesday, February 21, 2018 If you have a water well that is no longer in use, State law requires abandoned wells be sealed within 30 days after abandonment. Abandoned wells can provide a direct route of contamination to the aquifer, which is the primary reason the law was enacted. In addition, it is required that all abandoned wells be sealed in such a manner as to be compliant with State codes. Wells must be sealed by either an Illinois licensed well driller or by the well owner with prior LCDPH approval. Well owners choosing to seal their wells must first complete and submit to the department a sealing request form. This form is available at LCDPH or on their website. Once approved by the department, the owner has permission to seal the well. Regardless of who seals the well, the LCDPH must be on hand to inspect well sealing procedures to assure compliance. The Mahomet Aquifer is a source of drinking water for many wells located in the northern half of Logan County. According to the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), arsenic has been found at levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion throughout most of the Mahomet Aquifer. Arsenic is a contaminant that is a naturally occurring element located in the earth’s crust. Arsenic can be found in deep bedrock, and once it dissolves naturally, it can find its way to groundwater. Arsenic is highly toxic and in drinking water has been linked to various cancers and other ailments. If you rely on the Mahomet Aquifer as your source for drinking water, in addition to routine bacterial and nitrate/nitrite sampling, it is recommended you have your well tested for arsenic. A map of the Mahomet Aquifer can be found on the environmental health/potable water page of the LCDPH website. For more well information including construction regulations and a list of laboratories available to test for arsenic, nitrate and nitrite, you can contact LCDPH at 217-735-2317 or you can visit the health department website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG . [Logan County Department of Public Health/ LDN] Information Sources: The National Groundwater Association Illinois State Water Survey