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Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) refer to substances that are gaining attention due to their potential to harm human health and the environment. These contaminants can come from pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, and other synthetic materials. They can enter the groundwater through wastewater discharges, runoff from agriculture, and even household waste. CECs are a growing concern for water wells, particularly in areas where wells draw from shallow aquifers or where local groundwater is vulnerable to contamination.

While CECs can be found in groundwater year-round, they have the potential to be more of an issue in winter months for a few important reasons:

1. Increased Runoff and Leaching: In many areas, winter brings more precipitation (rain or snowmelt). This can lead to increased runoff, which may carry contaminants into groundwater. Frozen ground can also limit the natural filtration of contaminants, allowing them to travel more easily into groundwater.
2. Septic System Overload: In colder months, septic systems can become less efficient due to freezing temperatures. If a septic system fails or becomes overloaded, CECs from household waste can leach into the groundwater.
3. Reduced Dilution: In the winter, these contaminants are frequently less diluted than at other times of the year due to reduced water flow in rivers, streams, and aquifers (it is considered the “dry season”). This can increase the concentration of CECs in groundwater.

If you’re concerned about CECs in your well water, it’s important to test it regularly especially if you live in an area where these substances are more likely to enter the groundwater. By taking preventative measures, you can ensure the safety of your well water.

You can use our interactive map to find certified laboratories near you that can test your well water.

Download our wellcare® information sheet on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) & Well Water for more information.

This fun, hands-on experiment can help you teach your children about aquifers (where the water in your well comes from). It demonstrates how pollution can get into your well water, as well as how pumping the well water causes the water table to drop. Read the instructions below for a step-by-step guide on how to make one!

Take a short video or photo of your edible aquifer and post it on our social media pages with #kidzkorner for a shout-out.

What you’ll need:

• Small gummy bears, chocolate chips, crushed cookies, breakfast cereal, or crushed ice
• Food coloring
• Vanilla ice cream
• Club soda or Sprite
• Cake decoration sprinkles and sugars
• Drinking straws
• Spoons
• Clear cups

Instructions:

1. Fill a small, clear cup about one-third of the way with your first ingredient. This represents all of the sand, gravel, and rocks in the aquifer.
2. Cover your “gravel, sand, and rock layer” with clear soda which represents water. This is our groundwater. See how the “water” fills in the spaces around the “gravel, sand, and rock.”
3. Spread a layer of ice cream over the soda. This layer of our aquifer is called the confining layer, which is usually clay or dense rock. The water is confined below this layer.
4. The next layer is our top layer of soil. Decorating sprinkles and some colored sugar can be used to represent this layer.
5. Add some food coloring to a small amount of soda. The coloring represents pollution. Can you think of some pollutants that can affect groundwater? Watch what happens when we pour it on the land.
6. Using your straw, drill a well (push the straw down toward the bottom of the cup) into the center of your aquifer.
7. Slowly begin to pump the well by sucking on the straw. Watch as the water table goes down. Also, watch and see how the contaminants can get sucked into the well area and end up in the groundwater by eventually leaking through the confining layer.
8. Pretend it’s raining and recharge the aquifer by adding more soda. A real aquifer takes a lot longer to recharge, this is just an example to speed up the process.
9. Now it’s time to enjoy your aquifer!

Adapted from https://neponset.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Make-an-Edible-Aquifer-1-1.pdf

Seeing the leaves 🍁 change in the fall is wonderful, isn’t it?? Wouldn’t it be fun if you could make some color-changing flowers right at home? Read the instructions below to find out how! Take some pictures of your color-changing flowers and post them on our social media pages with #kidzkorner if you want to show them off!

What you’ll need: 

• White Carnations (other white flowers work as well, such as daisies, but carnations can produce a faster result)
• Clear cups with water (at least ½ of a cup of water in each)
• Food dye

Instructions:

1. Cut the flowers to a length that will stand in the cups and not tip them over
2. Fill the cups with water
3. Add about 30 drops of food coloring in total to each cup
4. Add 1-2 flowers to each cup
5. Check the flowers every few hours and observe what you can see

Tip: For best results, wait 6-8 hours…24-72 hours is even better!

Did You Know?

You can see the color in the petals of the flowers because water is transported through the stem of the flower, up to the petals and leaves. After the water reaches the petals and leaves, it transpires (evaporates) out, but the dye is left behind. The more time that goes by, the more dye will end up in the petals! Pretty cool, huh?!

Iron bacteria are small living organisms that naturally occur in soil, surface, and groundwater. These nuisance bacteria combine iron or manganese with oxygen to form deposits of “rust”, bacterial cells, and slimy materials that stick to well casings, pumps, pipes, plumbing fixtures, and water appliances often damaging them. These bacteria can range in color from orange to brown, or even red in color.

Sometimes it floats in the water like orange algae and sometimes you may notice an orange slime that coats the inside of the toilet tank that can be wiped off with a finger. You may also notice an oily sheen on the water surface. Iron bacteria often produce unpleasant tastes and odors commonly reported as: “swampy”, “oily”, “cucumber”, “sewage”, “rotten vegetation”, or “musty”. The taste or odor may be more noticeable if the water is stagnant for some time. Iron bacteria does not produce hydrogen sulfide (the “rotten egg” smell) but can create an environment where sulfur bacteria can grow and produce hydrogen sulfide.

Although iron bacteria can affect how water tastes and smells, there are no associated health risks. However, iron bacteria can clog filters and screens reducing well yield and the effectiveness of some water treatment devices. If you suspect contamination or experience illness, stop drinking and cooking with the water immediately, and do not resume use until testing has proven it to be safe to use. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor if you have any health concerns.

If you believe you have iron bacteria in your well water, you should have it tested. You can use our interactive map to find certified laboratories near you that can test your well water.

Download our wellcare® Information Sheet on Iron Bacteria & Well Water for additional tips.

There are some seasonal vacation homes or cabins that are serviced by a water well. These types of homes are typically not designed to be used during the winter. The plumbing systems and structures are not adequately insulated to withstand extreme cold. When preparing to close your vacation home for the season and leaving it vacant and unheated, you must winterize the plumbing to protect it from bursting in freezing temperatures. WSC recommends that you contact a licensed plumber to winterize your home. If you must winterize on your own, follow these steps and instructions.

If you are in an area that is apt to reach or has ever experienced freezing temperatures, you should make every effort to prevent your pipes, well, and well components from freezing. When pipes freeze, the flow of water is entirely blocked. Water expands as it turns into ice which could result in bursting pipes, as well as ruining your well pump and other exposed well components. This can be an expensive problem to fix and a disastrous occurrence in the frigid winter months. If your well or pipes freeze, contact your licensed well contractor or plumber as soon as possible.

Your Well System

Help keep your well from freezing with a pitless adapter. A pitless adapter attaches to your well casing to provide a sanitary and frost-proof seal between the casing and the water line running to your home. This device protects the water from freezing and allows convenient access to the well and well components without having to dig around the well. The adapter is connected to the well casing below the frost line – the depth at which the ground does not freeze. Water from the well is diverted horizontally at the adapter to prevent it from freezing. Contact your licensed well contractor to discuss installing a pitless adapter.

You should also protect your wellhead from getting damaged by snow and heavy equipment, like snow blowers and plows. There are existing older wells that are in driveways, close to a driveway, or close to a road. Consider adding a fiberglass driveway marker to aid in locating the well. If your well gets covered by snow, you will be able to easily locate it and cautiously remove the snow from around it.

Incoming Inclement Weather Limiting You from Making Adjustments?

If your wellhead is exposed to outside elements and freezing temperatures are on the way, there are a few simple things you can do to help prevent damage to your water well. These include wrapping the well with insulation, blankets, towels, or other insulating materials you can find that will not cause damage to the wellhead.

To learn more about protecting your pipes, pump, tank, and for tips if your pipes or well system are already frozen, download our wellcare® information sheet on Protecting Your Pipes and Well System From Freezing. You can also contact us by calling 888-395-1033 or chat with us live at wellcarehotline.org.

SepticSmart Week is September 16-20, 2024

SepticSmart Week reminds us of the importance of caring for and maintaining our septic systems. Just like water well systems, septic systems require regularly scheduled maintenance to ensure they are functioning properly.

Septic System Maintenance

It’s important to create a septic maintenance log and keep it with your well maintenance log or download a free copy from NOWRA’s website.

Proper maintenance of a septic system includes:

• Regular inspection every 1 to 2 years
• Having the system pumped every 3 to 5 years, depending on demand
• Conserving water to reduce the amount of demand placed on the system and prolong its functional life

Demand on a septic system is based on:

• The number of people in your household
• The amount of wastewater generated
• The volume of solids
• The size of your tank

Protecting Your Septic System

Everyone in the household needs to consider what is flushed down the drain into the septic system. Avoid flushing items that can clog the system or chemicals that can contaminate ground and surface water. This courtesy can help reduce damage to the natural function of the septic system.

DO NOT flush grease, fats, oils, bandages, feminine hygiene products, disposable diapers, disposable wipes (even wipes that say “flushable”!), paper towels, kitty litter, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, dental floss, hair, medicines, paint, pesticides, varnish, thinners, waste oil, or other chemicals. Ideally, ONLY water and household detergents are flushed into the system.

The septic system’s drain field must also be protected. The following strategies are recommended to protect the field and prolong its functional life:

• DO NOT drive over the drain field with cars, trucks, or heavy equipment.
• DO NOT plant trees or shrubbery in the drain field area as roots can plug or damage the wastewater distribution lines.
• DO NOT cover the drain field with hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. Grass is the best cover because it will help prevent erosion and help remove excess water.
• Divert surface runoff water from roofs, patios, driveways, and other areas away from the drain field.

A properly maintained septic system poses no threat to the groundwater that supplies a household well. However, wastewater from a failing septic system can carry contaminants such as nitrates, harmful bacteria, and viruses into groundwater and potentially the well.

Contact your septic service professional for assistance and maintenance. Download our wellcare® information sheet on Your Septic System for more information.

Need something fun for the kiddos on summer break? How about a dancing competition with chocolate chips?! Let’s see your chocolate chips dance. Read the instructions below. Take a short video of your dancing chocolate chips and post it on our social media pages with #kidzkorner for a shout out.

What you’ll need:

• Seltzer water or club soda. You can also use clear soda like Sprite or 7-Up.
  Tip: new unopened carbonated liquids create the best results!
• Chocolate chips (you can also try other small individual food items like raisins, small dry pasta pieces, dried lentils, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Fill a clear glass with the seltzer or clear soda.
2. Drop approximately 10 chocolate chips into the filled glass.
3. Watch what happens! It may take a few minutes before you see them “dance.”

Did You Know?

The chocolate chips are more dense than the soda. This means that they will initially sink. But as time goes by, the carbon dioxide from the carbonation in the soda will create tiny bubbles that will attach themselves onto the chocolate chips. These little bubbles act as a life jacket for the chocolate chips and will make them float. Once the chocolate chips reach the surface, the bubbles will release carbon dioxide into the air and then the chocolate chips will sink again, starting the process all over!

On April 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS in public drinking water systems. PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA (also known as GenX) as contaminants with individual MCLs, and PFAS mixtures containing at least two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS using a Hazard Index MCL to account for the combined and co-occurring levels of these PFAS in drinking water. Additionally, a health-based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these PFAS has been established. Some states may have recommended levels even lower than those provided by EPA. Check with your state environmental agency for more information. If your state has lower maximum levels for PFAS in drinking water, these levels supersede the EPA levels and should be used in its place. Well owners are encouraged to use these levels as a guideline when well water should be treated.

Our wellcare® PFAS information sheet has an easy to read table with MCLS and MCLGs for each contaminant and explains what you need to do to ensure your well water is safe.

After a natural disaster, the amount of TDS can increase. However, it is important to know that TDS is not solely caused by natural disasters. TDS can also be caused by agricultural run-off, sewage, and natural resources (e.g. leaves, silt, plankton, and rocks). You should regularly test your well water for TDS to ensure that your levels do not exceed 500 ppm (or mg/L).

For more information, download our free wellcare® information sheet on Total Dissolved Solids.

If you have any questions about TDS, contact the wellcare® Hotline at 888-395-1033 or visit our website.