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Water Sampling
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Just about any mineral or impurity can be tested for in the
water. However the most common sample group is called the
Potability Water Sample. This is sometimes referred to as,
"Chemical and Bacteria Testing." Water Conditioning
Units are available for any impurity in the water.
The Potability water sample is $115 with a septic
inspection. This is what most lenders require. It tests for
the following:
- Bacteria
- Nitrates
- pH
- Turbidity
Unconventional loans, such as the VA loans, require additional
testing. The VA Water Sample is $190 with a septic inspection
and tests for the following:
- Bacteria
- Nitrates
- Nitrites
- pH
- Lead
- Iron
- Turbidity
As stated above many, many impurities can be sampled and
tested. Some other popular tests are:
- MTBE's and VOC's- tests for petroleum products in the water.
- Arsenic
- Iron
- Lead
- Mercury
- Radium
- Radon in the Water
Please inquire within in regards to pricing.
Bacteria is a common failure in wells. It can find its way
into wells in numerous ways. Most counties require that a
wellhead extend 8"-18" above ground level. This helps keep
bugs, moisture and other debris from entering the well. Also,
many well caps are old, and do not thoroughly keep out
bacteria creating organisms from entering. A well should
have a two-piece cap, not a one-piece cap. If a bacteria
sample comes up positive, a one-piece cap should be replaced
with a two-piece cap. The conduit, protecting the electrical
wire should also be tightly sealed to the wellhead.
Well Chlorination
If bacteria does show itself in the sample, then the well
needs to be chlorinated or "shocked". Home Land
Septic Consulting chlorinates wells to better service its
clients. During the chlorination process, the well cap is
removed and well sanitizer (chlorine) tablets are put into
the well. The amount of chlorine should differ with each
well. The amount is determined after considering the depth,
water level, and flow rate of the well.
Please call to schedule a chlorination (443) 995-5385
First the chlorinated water is re-circulated into the well
casing with a garden hose for an extended period of
time. Water is then ran through all the faucets of the
house for 15 minutes or so, until chlorine is present in all
plumbing lines.
Procedures for the homeowner after the initial procedure
The water should be kept off, without use, for a pre-determined
number of hours- usually over 16 hours. Usually this puts us
to the morning of the following day. At this point the
homeowner is responsible to run the water off with an outside
garden hose. The goal of this is to now get all of the
chlorinated water back out of the well so the water can be
re-sampled for bacteria. This can take as little a 3 hours
or as long as the entire day. Each well is different.
I will supply you with chlorine test kits. You will only
receive a limited number of these kits, so please space out
your usage. The powder in these kits should be dropped in
2-3 ounces of water. If the water turns pink, then there is
still chlorine in the well. The darker the shade, the more
chlorine that remains the water. The re-sampling of the
bacteria cannot be performed if the remains chlorine in the
water. If we are called out (or not cancelled) to take the
bacteria sample with chlorine in the water, and "trip
charge" will apply.
The object is for the chlorine to sit in the well and
plumbing and kill off any bacteria. In order to sample the
water again, the water needs to run, so that ALL the chlorine
leaves the plumbing. Chlorination is not a guarantee that
bacteria will not be present in the following
samples. Bacteria may be running into the well with the
ground water. If this is the case, an Ultraviolet Water
Filter must be installed.
Well Chlorination PDF Document
(Right click and select Save As to download.)
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