April 2006 This month's newsletter is to help real estate agents, representing the buyer or the seller, be informed about private well water issues. Many of the contaminants that can be present in a private well are odorless, tasteless, and colorless. They can also pose a health risk. We encourage home sellers to have their well water tested for bacteria and other problematic contaminants prior to listing a property, and install water treatment if needed. A home with an improperly functioning water system can be worth less money on the market and can take longer to sell. Please contact us with any questions. We welcome your feedback, Jeffrey S. Leighton, President
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Well water quality If a home water supply comes from a private well, what should home buyers look for to indicate the water is safe to drink? Water being pumped from the well probably entered the ground less than mile away, so the location of the well is one of the most crucial safety factors to consider. A well close or downhill from a road could lead to road salt contamination. A well downhill from a livestock yard or a septic system could easily lead to bacterial contamination. The following distances are suggested as a minimum for protection:
Drilled or driven wells are generally safer than dug wells because the water supplying the well is more protected from human activity. However, because drilled or driven wells are put into ledge they may contain levels of arsenic, radon, iron, manganese, and other naturally occurring elements in soil and rock. In a home with a drilled well, red or blackish staining in sinks or toilet bowls can indicate levels of iron and manganese. If containments are found there are treatment options available. The EPA recommends that home water supplies be tested annually for iron, manganese, chloride, fluoride, pH hardness, coliform bacteria, and nitrates. Testing more than once a year may be warranted if:
To ensure well water safety, home owners are advised to keep accurate records of water tests, well maintenance, and repairs to help spot changes and possible problems with the water system. It is also recommended that home owners periodically inspect exposed parts of the well for problems such as cracked, corroded or damaged well casing, broken or missing well cap, and settling or cracking of surface seals. For more information on well water in Maine, please visit: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/eohp/wells/
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Jeffrey S. Leighton, President Inspect-It 1st P.O. Box 445 Scarborough, Maine 04070-0445 Phone: (207) 885-8664 Fax: (207) 885-8665 www.jleightoninspects.com |
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