University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Maintaining Quality Well Water
Prepared by: Frank Hancock Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent Henry County
What's in Your Well Water?
Is My Water Safe to Drink?
How Did We Get Here?
Why We Are Here?
52% of wells tested were positive for bacteria
48%
negative
Coliform bacteria
10%
ecoli
42%
Environmental Health Samples 34% positive for coliform bacteria
Copper exceeds EPA primary standards in 17% of wells tested
Above EPA secondary standards % of wells tested
iron
14%
manganese
13%
22%
copper
RAINFALL TOTALS BY YEAR
ATL
Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total
1996 8.26 3.82 6.42 2.91 2.12 1.70 2.14 4.66 4.32 0.89 3.22 4.14 44.60 1997 5.65 7.93 2.18 4.28 3.36 3.91 4.71 1.32 4.83 5.12 3.34 5.05 51.68 1998 5.83 7.10 6.25 5.12 1.23 3.58 2.93 5.54 4.45 0.26 1.97 1.90 46.16 1999 5.34 1.97 3.32 1.14 4.42 5.83 3.43 1.26 4.19 2.41 3.34 2.21 38.86 2000 4.89 1.26 3.63 2.63 1.86 1.11 2.70 4.03 4.93 0.88 5.02 2.62 35.56 2001 2.77 3.61 9.08 3.30 3.31 6.69 2.54 1.03 2.19 0.79 0.87 2.22 38.40 2002 5.35 2.54 5.49 1.83 3.52 2.81 2.59 0.77 6.39 5.94 5.36 5.23 47.82 2003 2.00 3.51 7.08 3.44 9.94 7.34 5.35 3.48 2.41 1.49 4.17 2.69 52.90 2004 2.84 4.60 1.04 2.80 2.58 5.99 2.20 3.63 13.65 2.19 7.26 4.82 53.60 2005 2.57 5.58 7.49 4.36 1.98 2.91 14.63 8.28 0.07 1.98 2.91 3.67 56.43 2006 5.10 5.50 2.93 2.48 2.86 5.80 1.31 8.66 3.31 3.04 4.39 3.08 48.46 2007 3.95 2.63 1.31 1.79 2.05 3.66 1.85 3.48 1.19 1.83 1.06 4.35 29.15 2008 2.61 4.76 30yravg 5.03 4.68 5.38 3.62 3.95 3.63 5.12 3.67 4.09 3.11 4.10 3.82 50.20
Level Four Drought
Restrictions don’t Bother Me I Have A Well.
Stream flows are at an all time low. The water table is likewise low. Well users should be more diligent than anyone to conserve water.
How Do We Use Water?
Water Changes During Drought
Be aware of any changes in: Odor Color Taste If changes are noted have water tested.
Who is responsible for the quality of your well water?
YOU!
Well House
Protects Pump, Tank, and Electrical Components. It is not a storage area. No Pesticides No Trash Piles No Fertilizer No Gasoline No Lawnmowers
Tree Roots
Can penetrate well casing Provide a path for harmful bacteria to enter the well. Trees should not be planted close to the well.
Buffer Zones
50’ Buffer
Wood Piles Rock Piles Trash Piles Septic Tank
100’ Buffers
Field Lines Chicken Coop Dog Pen Rabbit Cage Cow Pasture Manure Pile (250’) Out House
250’
100’ Buffers
Fertilizer storage Petroleum Products Pesticide mixing Station Streams Termite treated structures
Don’t put anything around your well that you don’t want to drink.
Insects
Chemicals/Trash
Cracked Top /Rat Droppings
Well Checklist
Well Head Protection is a Serious Issue