Water Smarts 2002

• Year: 2002
• Title: Water Smarts
• Author: Upper Arkansas Area COG USGS Pueblo Office
• Description: A well and septic system owner's guide to ground water in the upper arkansas area chaffee, custer, fremont, and lake counties, Colorado
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

Questions and Answers
As more people move to the mountains, questions about water increase. This section attempts to answer some
of the more common questions that came up at mountain community meetings in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Quantity & Quality Questions
Why do some wells have water disease - causing bacteria and viruses that are
while others don't? difficult to detect.
In most cases, wells drilled in rocky,
mountainous environments provide a reliable
supply of water if and when they intersect
water -rich cracks in the rock. Finding cracks
or "fractures" that carry good supplies of
water can be tricky. Because of this, the
amount of available water can vary
significantly among wells — even wells
located within several hundred feet of each
other.
What is the problem with
nitrates, and what health effect
do they have?
Nitrates are one of the most problematic and
widespread of ground water contaminants.
The toxicity of nitrates to humans is due to
the body's reduction of nitrate to nitrite in
saliva, and in the digestive system of infants
during their first three months of life. At low
doses, the toxicity of nitrite in babies has
been demonstrated by "Blue Baby
Syndrome," a form of slow suffocation in
which reduced oxygen levels literally turn the
baby blue. Vomiting, diarrhea and labored
breathing are other symptoms of the disease.
Some research has indicated that high levels
of nitrates can have cardiovascular effects in
adults. Tests on animals have indicated a
potential link between high nitrates in
drinking water and gastrointestinal cancer.
While this association is controversial, it is
recommended that you limit your exposure to
nitrates. It is important to note that elevated
nitrates often indicate the presence of
How often should I have my
drinking water tested, and what
should I be testing for?
How often is up to you, depending on the
history of your water quality. Unless you
have known water quality problems, an
annual water test for bacteria and nitrates
should suffice. Spring testing is best, due to
wet conditions. See page 9 for more on what
to test for.
Where do 1 get my drinking
water tested, and how do 1 know
if a company is qualified and
reputable?
In Colorado, the Department of Public Health
and Environment (CDPHE) licenses all water
quality labs and operators. Check with the
state for a list of licensed companies.
Reputation is often best gauged by word of
mouth. Ask "the locals" who they use and
why.
Why does my water sometimes
look murky?
This often occurs after it rains, or when the
snow melts in the spring. When water in
large amounts enters the ground water
system, it can dislodge and/or carry sediment
and nutrients. Murky water depends in part
on well construction, and the depth of the
water- bearing fractures that provide water to
your well. An in -home water filter or other
treatment system may prevent these
substances from getting into your drinking
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