(Salisbury, MD) – March 6 – 12, 2011 is National Ground Water Awareness Week. Wicomico County environmental health officials are reminding residents to have their well water sampled annually. “Spring is the perfect time to have your water sampled and tested,” said Dennis DiCintio, Environmental Health Director for Wicomico County Health Department. “While most groundwater is suitable for human consumption, the potential still exists for the presence of contaminants, such as nitrates,” says DiCintio. High levels of nitrates in water may cause what is known as Blue Baby Syndrome, a potentially fatal blood condition sometimes occurring in children 6 months and under. “Having your well sampled annually is essential to knowing that your water quality is safe,” says DiCintio. The Health Department also recommends testing water if there is a change in taste, appearance, odor, or if residents in the household become pregnant.
Residents can become good stewards by protecting groundwater through the proper storage, use, and disposal of hazardous household substances. These include common products such as gasoline and oil, paints and paint thinner, fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides, and cleaning products.
Some additional preventative measures are recommended to help homeowners safeguard their community’s water quality:
Maintain proper separation between well and buildings, waste systems, and chemical storage areas.
Periodically check well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
Periodically check well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
Be careful never to hit the casing with a lawn mower or vehicle, or strike it with any force.
Maintain your septic system. Improperly functioning septic systems are a major cause of well contamination.
Find any old wells on your property and have them abandoned and sealed by a licensed well driller.
Consult with a qualified well inspector to ensure your well is problem free.
Additional information on well maintenance and water quality is available by visiting http://www.wellowner.org/. For questions, to schedule a water sample, or inquire about related fees, county residents may call the Wicomico County Health Department Environmental Health Division at (410) 546-4446.
6 comments:
by all means have it tested so they can comdem all private wells like they want to septic systems
I have my well water tested once a year. If you live in Delaware, you can pick up a test kit in Georgetown in the clinic building for a couple dollars. You cannot smell or taste nitrates so its important to do if you have little ones or you are expecting a baby.
One can also get test kits at the Lowe's , Home Depot, and other hardware stores. It's a good idea to know what you are drinking, but know that if you ask the Health Dept. to do it for you, you are subjecting yourself to whatever laws they can use to have any problems remediated quickly, or as 11:57 points out, condemnation of your well.
sure, that's exactly what they want to do: condemn your well so you have no water. 11:57, you're a moron
you must be a liberal democrat
I consider myself fluent in things concerning my property & health......well tested 5 years ago before settlement. I was totally unaware that I should have my well tested annually....thanks for the info.
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