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 Groundwater is vital to everyday life and it is
important to keep it safe and protected.
If you consume water from 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 at the Illinois Department of Public
Health (IDPH) laboratory but the kit to collect the sample is
available at LCDPH for a fee of $8.00.
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 at a given time does not
provide assurance that your water will forever be safe.
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. In addition to bacteria,
nitrate and nitrite levels should be routinely monitored and private
laboratories can provide testing for such since this service is no
longer available through the IDPH laboratory.
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.
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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
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