Logan County Department of Public Health recognizes groundwater protection

[April 22, 2024] 

Last month, National Groundwater Awareness Week was celebrated, and Monday, April 22, 2024, was Earth Day. In recognition of both, the Logan County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) would like to remind everyone about the importance of protecting our water supply. Regardless of the source, if from a well or city supply, all the drinking water in Logan County comes from groundwater. The National Groundwater Association (NGWA) recently determined that 44 percent of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply. Groundwater is vital to everyday life, and it is important to keep it safe and protected.

If your everyday water source is from a private well, it is recommended to have your water analyzed at least once a year since wells have the potential to become contaminated at any time. At LCDPH, you can purchase a water collection kit for $8 to sample your water well for testing by the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory. The test will check for the presence of coliform bacteria and E. coli. If your well is contaminated, LCDPH will provide instructions for how to disinfect the well. If you would like to test your well for other contaminants such as nitrates, chemicals, and pesticides, LCDPH can provide you with contact information for private laboratories which offer a wider variety of tests.

If you have a water well that is no longer in use, Illinois law requires wells to be sealed within 30 days of abandonment in such a manner which is compliant with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code. Abandoned wells can provide a direct route of contamination to the aquifer (underground water source) which is the primary reason this law was enacted.

Wells must be sealed by either an Illinois licensed well driller or by the well owner. Well owners who choose to seal their well must first complete and submit a sealing request form to LCDPH to be granted permission. This form is available on the health department’s website.

In the northern section of Logan County, the Mahomet Aquifer is a source of drinking water for many residents. According to the Illinois State Water Survey, arsenic has been found at levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion throughout much 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 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 information about water wells, regulations, groundwater protection, and arsenic, you can contact LCDPH at 217-735-2317 or you can visit their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG.

Information Source: IL Dept. of Public Health, IL Association of Groundwater Professionals, US EPA, IL State Water Survey

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