From the Logan County Department of Public Health
National Groundwater Awareness Week March 5-11, 2017

[March 10, 2017]  LINCOLN - The Logan County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) would like to recognize March 5-11, 2017 as National Groundwater Awareness Week. Whether your water is supplied by your own private well or you are connected to a city supply, all the drinking water in Logan County comes from groundwater.

The National Groundwater Association (NGWA) has determined that 44 percent of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply — be it from either a public source or private well. Groundwater is vital to everyday life and it is important to keep it safe and protected.

If you have your own private well, it is suggested to have your water analyzed at least once a year. Through the LCDPH, you can have your water tested for coliform bacteria and E.coli. The actual water test is conducted through the State of Illinois laboratory but the kits are available at LCDPH.

Coliform is an "indicator" organism that if found to be present in your water sample is a sign your well is contaminated. If your well tests positive for coliform, the lab will further test for E. coli. There are many ways in which wells can become contaminated and just because your well tested satisfactory one year is not assurance your water will forever be safe. Well water test kits can be purchased at LCDPH for a fee of $8.00. Be sure to follow the test kit instructions to assure your sample does not become contaminated and arrives to the lab on time. If your well is contaminated, the health department will provide instructions for how to disinfect the well.

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. Please note that if a well owner chooses to seal the well, he/she 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. A licensed well driller can seal a well without the need for a permit.

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 (As) has been found at levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion (ppb) 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 sampling, it is recommended you have your well tested for arsenic. For a list of laboratories available to test for arsenic, you can contact LCDPH at 217-735-2317 or you can go to their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG to learn more about your water well, preventing contamination and the dangers of arsenic.

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]