Maryland drinking Water Testing for Home and Business. Carroll County, Baltimore Maryland

Whats Lurking in your Homes Water?

Help and FAQ regarding Well, City and Maryland Drinking Water.

This page is dedicated to questions, answers and articles concerning you and your water. Over the years we have fielded many questions and most of the information we relay to our clients can be found in these pages. Please feel free to call us to discuss your home or business water needs. Thank you

The two most important well tests are:

Bacteria Coliform: bacteria are microorganisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals as well as in soil, on vegetation, and in surface water runoff. Finding coliform bacteria in a water supply is an indication that there is a potential for disease-producing organisms to be present also. Coliform bacteria washed into the ground by rain or melting snow are usually filtered out as water percolates through the soil. However, poorly-constructed or unsealed wells, fractured rock outcroppings, sinkholes, and quarries may provide a path for coliform bacteria to enter groundwater.

Once in the groundwater, bacteria can easily pollute drinking water used by private well owners. Other bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause illness, can be in water containing coliform bacteria.

Drinking water drawn from private wells should be tested for the presence of bacteria at least once a year or any time there is a change in taste, odor, color or appearance of the well water. Iron and sulfur bacteria may also be present in well water. Although not a health threat, these two types of bacteria can make water smell and taste bad and plug or corrode plumbing equipment.

Nitrate: Although nitrate is found naturally in many types of food, high levels in drinking water pose a serious acute health threat for infants less than six months of age. Nitrate is changed to nitrite in the stomachs of small infants. The nitrite then interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, and symptoms of suffocation or blue baby syndrome can occur. Research is underway to ascertain if nitrate causes chronic illness. Sources of nitrate include fertilizer infiltration in agricultural areas, animal feedlots, sewage absorption fields, municipal and industrial wastewater, urban drainage and decaying plant debris. Underground soil and bedrock structure and the direction of groundwater flow influence when and where nitrate is found. In some areas nitrate contamination may be associated with other groundwater contaminants. A nitrate test is recommended for all wells and is essential for wells serving infants under six months of age.

When should we have our well tested?

At a minimum, have your well professionally tested by one of our Certified Water Specialists once a year for total coliform bacteria, pesticides, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. We highly suggest having your well tested if: * There are known problems with well water in your area. You have experienced problems near your well (i.e., flooding, land disturbances, and nearby waste disposal sites, farms or treatment centers) * You replace or repair any part of your well system. * You notice a change in water quality (i.e., taste, color, odor)

Do I need a water test if my water supply is "town water", "city water" or "public"?

Generally, you do not need to test the water in your potential home if it is a "public water supply", supplied by the town or city. Towns and cities are required to supply water that has met EPA standards for safe drinking. However, there are a couple of instances that come to mind where you might want to perform some testing:

A. Lead in water" our full service water test can disclose if lead is leaching into your drinking water either from the pipes leading into the home, or from the pipes (and pipe solder) in your home. Your water source might be clean but once it hits your homes pipes and system that clean water could turn terribly bad. Water should always be tested at the point of use.

B. Very occasionally, towns and cities do experience problems with their water supplies. Our low cost full service solution can quickly tell if your homes system is maintaining the integrity of the clean water entering through the pipes.

Why can't I just buy a water filter?

Because there is NO ONE filter that will correct EVERY water problem. For example, you can filter out minerals and still have bacteria. In fact, a cheap filter can become so loaded with bacteria in a few weeks that what comes out of it may be worse than what came in. If your water needs treatment, it must be treated for your specific problem and our Water Checker specialist will help diagnose that trouble.

I don't live in a heavily polluted area, what could possibly contaminate my drinking water?

There are many potential causes of water contamination. Here are just a few things that could be near you:

• Mines • Gas Stations • Industrial Facilities • Old Cemeteries • Farm fields • Dumps • Improper disposal of paints, motor oils, etc. on private land.• • Recreational use of the public water supply. • Lead pipes in the home. • Septic Systems • Acid Rain • Decaying Matter or other natural contamination • Water can travel hundreds of miles in underground rivers or aquifers.

What do I do if I find out my water is unsafe?

Our certified Water Specialist will discuss your options if your test comes back with trouble. If there are multiple problems, each problem should be addressed separately. The general procedure you should follow is: 1. Switch to bottled water for consumption until you have the problem solved. (Consumption isn't just drinking, it's cooking, washing produce, making ice cubes, water for pets, etc.) 2. Call your County or State Health Department for specific information and instructions on how to treat the problem. 3. Track down the SOURCE of the contamination. 4. Once you have addressed the problem, have follow up testing done on a regular basis.

Still have questions? Please feel free to call our offices at 410 92WATER (410 929 2837) or contact us using our online form and one of our friendly staff members will get back with you immediately.