Water Testing Recommendations
Testing Well Water
Complete testing should cover the following parameters:
- Total dissolved solids
- pH
- Hardness
- Organic Chemicals
- Bacteria (potability)
- Pesticides
- Nitrates
- Iron & manganese
- Heavy Metals - lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.
- Metals - like sodium, potassium, etc.
- Anions - like fluoride, sulfate, etc.
- Radioactive contamination
Detailed Recommendations for the Testing of Well Water
The following is intended primarily for homes in the Boulder Colorado region but most of these recommendations can be generalized to any location in the country.
Well Contamination
We recommend that you have your well tested for "potability" on a fairly regular basis - at least once per year - for bacterial contamination. Spring run-off season is a time when contamination is most likely.
Metals and Organics Test
A good basic and relatively inexpensive test of a large number of water parameters is available which reports metals including sodium, iron, manganese, hardness minerals, as well as toxic minerals like lead and cadmium; anions like fluoride, nitrate, sulfate; total dissolved solids, as well as a number of organic contaminants, including pesticides, trihalomethanes, and many other volatile organic chemicals.
Radiological Testing
We recommend that households on wells have their water tested for the possible presence of radioactive elements. There are many wells in this region with high levels and it makes good sense to test for these. If you do have a problem it can be an issue both with drinking water and water you are bathing or showering in, depending on the parameter. High radon levels present a health risk for bathing, showering, and drinking while other contaminants like uranium present a risk for the drinking water. The tests we recommend as a minimum are gross alpha and radon (in water). Further testing might be necessary if indicated by a high level of gross alpha.
If You Choose to Do the Testing Yourself
We will be happy to review your results. You can fax (303-444-2433) or email, or mail them (just the results, no explanatory pages, please).
- Well Potability Test:
- Go to the County Health Department located on the NE corner of 63rd and The Diagonal in Gunbarrel. 303-441-1180.
- Make sure your well has no residual chlorine from a shock treatment.
- Follow the instructions and make a note on the paperwork exactly how long you ran the water prior to taking the sample and exactly where you took the sample.
- Note the acceptable times they can receive samples.
- Plan to deliver the sample immediately after obtaining it.
- Metals and Organics Test:
- Pick up a test kit from our shop in North Boulder for $169 and send to the lab by UPS. Or, order the kit directly: 800-458-3330.
- We recommend that you take this sample prior to any filters or other equipment.
- Run the water hard for 10 minutes prior to taking samples
- Make a note on the paperwork how long you ran the water and where you took the sample.
- We recommend that you skip the NTL bacteria test. It is better (and cheaper shipping-wise) to do this test with the County (see above)
- Radiological Testing:
- Call Hazen Research, 4601 Indiana St. Golden 80403/303-279-4501. Contact: Bob Rostad.
- Request he send test bottles for Gross alpha and radon or you can pick them up from their lab. If you have the bottles shipped, there is an extra hazardous shipping charge.
- The turnaround time can be long (4-6 weeks) – ask him when you call.
- The radon number should be available within a week.
- When you take samples, make sure you run the water hard for at least 10 minutes before you grab your samples and take special care not to introduce air bubbles into the radon tubes.
- Make a note on the paperwork how long you ran the water and exactly where you took the samples.
- Deliver your samples immediately upon taking them. For Hazen, make sure they will receive the samples between Monday and Thursday. Standard UPS shipping from Boulder is 1 day to Golden, which is acceptable.
If You Choose to Hire Someone to Do the Testing
Colorado Water Wizard is again offering testing as an additional service to our customers. Call us for current pricing. We charge you the lab costs directly plus shipping plus our time in getting to your house, taking samples and delivering to UPS and/or the County Health Department.
If you are concerned about the potential for a conflict of interest, we recommend a company, Environmental Investigations, Bruce Bevirt at 303-642-3565.
