 |
|
Water Softeners & Filtering Systems
You
are visitor number
|
Return to / Home / Learn All About Water / Water Problems & Solutions / Well Water, Ground Water & Special Problems Ground water is the major source of drinking water for 70% of Kansas residents. In rural areas, 85% of the population relies on ground water. Therefore, contaminants that may cause health problems, such as nitrate, are of significant concern. For owners of private wells, the issue of ground-water contamination is particularly serious. Most private domestic supplies are neither tested nor treated on a routine basis. Although the distinction between surface water and ground water seems simple, they are connected in such a way that surface water can become ground water and vice versa, and such surface-ground water interactions generally are difficult to observe and measure. Aquifers are often fed partially by seepage from streams and lakes. These same aquifers may discharge through seeps and springs to feed the streams, rivers, and lakes. Many streams in Kansas gain water from such ground-water seepage which keeps the streams flowing during dry periods. This seems to be happening in many regions of Kansas, but especially in western Kansas. The quality of water in the High Plains aquifer generally is suitable for irrigation use but, in many places, the water does not meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards with respect to several dissolved constituents (dissolved solids/salinity, fluoride, chloride, and sulfate). Only sparsely scattered water-quality data (except Texas) are available for pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and trace metals in the High Plains aquifer system. In the western or Ogallala portion of the Kansas High Plains aquifer (see map), water quality is a serious issue along the Arkansas River corridor and in a few other areas, but not to the extent that it is a concern in the east. As water levels continue to decline in parts of western Kansas, water quality could become more of an issue. Nitrate is the most common inorganic contaminant in Kansas ground water. Previous studies have found that about 30% of domestic wells in Kansas have nitrate levels greater than the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for public drinking water (Steichen et al., 1988; Spalding and Exner, 1993; Townsend and Young, 1995; Townsend, 1996). Concentrations seem to be increasing in many areas of the state (Townsend et al., 1996; Townsend et al., 1997). Private water supplies are not regulated by EPA, although some state and municipality standards apply to wells. If you have a private well, you are responsible for testing your water to make sure it is safe. This is especially important in areas where homes and nearby businesses are on septic systems. Since many contaminants are colorless and odorless, testing is the only way to determine whether your well water is safe to drink. EPA drinking water standards and health information are good guidelines for you in protecting your own drinking water. Wells should be tested annually for nitrate and coliform bacteria to detect contamination problems early. Test more frequently and for more potential contaminants, such as radon, pesticides or industrial chemicals if you suspect a problem. Contact us today for your free water analysis and we will provide you with an overview of your current water status. We are always just a phone call away - 785-625-8409 - 800-658-4696. For more information about special problems with our local water, please go to:
If you are using well water, you may be interested in reading more about systems that can ensure that your water is healthy and safe: Contact us today for your free water analysis and we will provide you with an overview of your current water status. We are always just a phone call away - 785-625-8409 - 800-658-4696. Return to / Home / Learn All About Water / Water Problems & Solutions / Return to / Top of Page / |
