Frequently Asked Questions
Sample Collection Video
Resources
- Arsenic Fact Sheet
- Chloramine and Water Treatment
- Coliform Bacteria and Nitrate Fact Sheet
- Drinking Water Analysis
- Flood Health and Safety
- Homebuyer's Guide to Private Well Water
- If your water tests positive for coliforms
- Iowa by the Numbers
- Iowa Well Survey Results
- Pool/Spa Testing
- Request Additional Water Quality Testing
- Well Water Quality and Home Treatment Systems
Helpful Links
- IDNR: Iowa's Private Water Well Program
- IDNR: County Sanitarians
- IDNR: Well Flood Information
- IDNR: Private Well Booklet
- CDC: Private Ground Water Wells
- CDC: Well Testing
- CDC: Arsenic and Drinking Water from Wells
- CDC: Nitrate and Drinking Water from Wells
- EPA: Bottle Water Basics
- EPA: Drinking Water from Household Wells
Private wells are not subject to federal regulations that apply to public drinking water systems. Therefore, it is up to well owners to regularly monitor the safety of their drinking water to ensure it is safe for human consumption.
Public drinking water systems are required by federal regulations to be tested for various contaminants at specific intervals.
Water Testing Basics
Testing and Result Interpretation
Sample Collection
Water Testing Basics
What Should I Test for?
SHL recommends that private wells be tested annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and arsenic at least once during the lifetime of the well. Testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates provides a general indication of the sanitary quality of your drinking water.
How Often Should I Test My Well?
We recommend that private wells be tested annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, at least once for arsenic and anytime changes occur in taste, odor or appearance.
Are There Any Exceptions?
More frequent testing is recommended for:
- Shallow or older wells that may not be constructed according to current well construction regulations
- Wells near livestock confinement areas, septic systems, landfills, industrial or manufacturing activities or agricultural fields
- Wells near hazardous material spills
- Wells susceptible to flooding
- Wells that have had back-siphonage occur
What are total coliform bacteria?
Total coliform bacteria are microorganisms that are present in soil, sewage, surface water and very shallow groundwater that is under the influence of surface water.
The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water indicates a possible sanitary defect in the drinking water system that could provide a pathway of entry for contamination into the well OR distribution system (plumbing into the home). This pathway may provide an opportunity for harmful material to enter the drinking water creating a potential health hazard.
As surface water percolates through the soil, a natural filtration process takes place which normally removes microorganisms (including coliform bacteria) UNLESS a pathway exists which bypasses this natural filtration process.
What are E.coli bacteria?
Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria are a type of total coliform bacteria which are present in sewage. The presence of E.coli bacteria in drinking water indicates a pathway exists from a waste source (e.g. animal feedlot, septic tank, cesspool leadage, etc.) to the well. The presence of E.coli indicates that the water may be contaminated with microorganisms that can cause disease which represents a serious health concern. Drinking water which contains E.coli should NOT be used for human consumption unless properly disinfected before use.
What are nitrates?
Nitrates are chemical compounds composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrate contamination is more likely to occur in shallow wells and in wells which are poorly located, constructed or maintained. Nitrate concentrations exceeding the infant health advisory level (45 mg/L as NO3 or 10 mg/L as N) are generally an indication of contamination from nitrogen fertilizers, sewage disposal systems or animal manure.
What is arsenic?
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in the earth’s crust. It is found in combination with either inorganic or organic substances to form many different compounds. According to the CDC: “Inorganic arsenic compounds are found in soils, sediments, and groundwater. These compounds occur either naturally or as a result of mining, ore smelting, and industrial use of arsenic. Organic arsenic compounds are found mainly in fish and shellfish. In the past, inorganic forms of arsenic were used in pesticides and paint pigment. They were also used as wood preservatives and as a treatment for a variety of ailments. Today, usage of arsenic-containing pesticides and wood preservatives is restricted.”
Can arsenic make you sick?
Studies have shown that chronic or repeated ingestion of water with arsenic over a person’s lifetime is associated with increased risk of cancer (of the skin, bladder, lung, kidney, nasal passages, liver or prostate) and noncancerous effects (diabetes, cardiovascular, immunological and neurological disorders).
Where is arsenic found in Iowa?
Arsenic is prevalent in the north central region of Iowa but it can be found anywhere in the state due to natural geologic formations. For private well owners or others testing for arsenic, the depth of the well and the well design can affect the presence of arsenic in the well water.
Can nitrates be removed from drinking water?
Yes. Nitrates can be removed from drinking water with distillation, reverse osmosis or anionic exchange (ion exchange). Please refer to Well Water Quality and Home Treatment Systems for more details.
Can I boil my water to make it safe?
Water can be disinfected of coliform bacteria and E.coli by boiling it for at least one minute. This high temperature will kill all microorganisms that could be in the water. However, boiling water may concentrate nitrates and other chemical contaminants. Arsenic cannot be removed from water by boiling. If arsenic removal is required, it is important to determine the type of arsenic present in the water using the arsenic speciation test. The State Hygienic Laboratory performs this test. Other safe alternatives include bringing water from a known safe source such as city water or buying bottled water for drinking purposes. Remember to use very clean drinking water containers for water transport or storage. Do NOT use containers that have been used for food or milk since these containers are very difficult to get clean for this purpose.
If my water is unsafe for drinking, whom do I call for help?
County health department personnel and certified well drillers/installers can assist you in determining possible sources of contaminants and how they entered the system, and can recommend remedial procedures.
Can I wash dishes, brush my teeth or take a shower in bacterially unsafe water?
The total coliform bacteria standard was developed primarily for drinking purposes. The risk of illness from using this water for any of these other activities is not as clear cut. Since you may need to use this water for these other activities while you are investigating your coliform problem, there are some options. For washing dishes, dishwashers can be set on sanitation cycle, or one can manually pour boiling water over dishes and utensils. Drinking water used for brushing teeth should be of safe water quality (e.g. boil water for one minute, bring water from a safe source, or buy bottled water). Showering with water that is bacterially unsafe (total coliform positive, E.coli negative) has a far lower risk of illness than drinking this water. If the bacterially unsafe water is due to E.coli which indicates a sewage contamination source, using this water for any activity other than flushing the toilet is not recommended.
Is it safe to take a shower or brush my teeth if arsenic is found in my water?
Bathing with water that contains arsenic is not a significant health risk because arsenic is not readily absorbed through skin. Some ingestion of arsenic may occur when brushing your teeth. Although the amount ingested is minimal, using a clean source of water for brushing your teeth is advisable.
I live in the city. Do I need to test my water?
If you live within the city limits, you probably receive your water from the city public water supply that is routinely tested for many parameters, including total coliform bacteria and nitrate. It is usually not necessary for private individuals to test this water. If you have concerns about the city’s water quality, we encourage you to consult your city water department or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Field Offices.
Testing and Result Interpretation
How long does the testing take? When and how will I get my results?
The turnaround time depends on the test requested. For example, results for coliforms and nitrates are usually available in 2-3 days, radiological results may not be available for several weeks.
Test results are routinely sent via mail. Upon request, results may also be phoned or faxed.
How do I interpret my results?
Coliform Bacteria and E.coli:
- Satisfactory / safe: If the total coliform bacteria and E.coli test results are ABSENT or the most-probable-number is <1 the water is bacterially safe for drinking purposes.
- Unsatisfactory / unsafe:If the total coliform bacteria test is PRESENT or the number is greater than or equal to 1 the water is bacterially unsafe and should not be used for drinking unless properly disinfected before use (e.g. boiling for one minute).
- Unsatisfactory / unsafe:If the E.coli bacteria test result is PRESENT or the number is greater than or equal to 1, the water may be contaminated by human or animal sewage. The water may be contaminated with microorganisms that can cause disease and thus represents a serious health concern.
Nitrates:
- Nitrate / NO3 - levels greater than 45mg/L
- Nitrate-nitrogen / N - levels greater than 10mg/L
Samples that exceed one or both of these levels are unsafe for consumption by infants less than six months of age. High nitrate levels suggest that other contaminants could be present. Therefore, the source of the nitrates and how they may have entered the system should be investigated.
Whom do I call for help with result interpretation?
Your local county health department personnel and State Hygienic Laboratory staff are available to help with result interpretation.
My water sample is positive for total coliform bacteria. Will I get sick?
By themselves, total coliform bacteria will not make you sick. However, the presence of coliform bacteria indicates a sanitary defect in the well or distribution system and thus represents a potential health hazard if the water sample was correctly collected and accurately represents the drinking water.
How do I troubleshoot a coliform bacteria problem?
Follow the suggestions listed on the SHL coliform response flowchart. First review the sample collection procedure. If the sample was collected correctly and represents the drinking water supply, then an inspection of the complete water system (well and distribution plumbing system) and area surrounding the well should be made to search for the sanitary defect or pathway. Then that defect should be corrected accordingly. Strategic sampling for coliform bacteria (in the most-probable-number (MPN) result format) collected at various locations (e.g. at the well, before or after treatment systems, etc.) may be necessary to pinpoint the source of the problem. For example, if the samples taken closest to the well and before the softener are negative and the sample after the softener is positive, this indicates that the softener may be contaminated (e.g.biofouled) and is the source of the problem.
With older wells, this defect may include structural problems in the well such as pits, cracks in the casing, inadequate grouting, brick or concrete wells, or cisterns.
With new wells, the defect is more likely a problem with the distribution system such as cross-connections, broken or contaminated distributions lines or treatment systems, faulty pressure tanks, contamination from repairs or new construction WITHOUT proper disinfection, etc.
A sanitary survey of your water system and remediation assistance may be available from your local county health department or certified well driller and pump installers.
What should I do if flood waters cover my drinking water well?
Because flood water is contaminated with microorganisms that can cause disease, you should NOT drink the water. Wait until the flood waters recede, then contact your local county health department or certified well driller/pump installer for well shock-chlorination guidance. Perform this procedure (include flushing the well) BEFORE submitting a sample to the laboratory to make sure your drinking water is now safe (total coliform and E.coli absent). Shallow wells (less than 100 feet deep) may become contaminated from nearby flooding. They should be tested to ensure a safe supply of drinking water.
What’s the difference between total arsenic and arsenic speciation?
Total arsenic refers to a test that determines concentration of all forms of arsenic in the sample. Arsenic speciation separates the different forms of arsenic and reports the individual concentration of each form of arsenic in the sample. Because natural arsenic exists most commonly in the inorganic form, the sum of the concentrations of arsenic species should closely equal the total arsenic result within experimental error.
Is there a drinking water standard for arsenic?
Yes, there is for public water supplies. In 2006 the Environmental Protection Agency lowered the arsenic standard for drinking water to .010 parts per million (10 parts per billion) to protect consumers served by public water systems from the effects of long-term, chronic exposure to arsenic. Private wells are not regulated for arsenic or required to treat water containing arsenic but the EPA standard is still used for guidance.
Sample Collection
How do I collect a sample?
Directions for collecting a sample for coliform bacteria and nitrates are included in the collection kit, along with specially-prepared sterile bottles. If you asked for coliform bacteria and nitrate testing, you will receive two bottles: one for coliform bacteria and one for nitrates. Please follow the instructions carefully; it is easy to contaminate the sample WITH coliform bacteria using IMPROPER sample collection techniques.
What is the white powder in the coliform sample bottle?
The white powder is a chlorine-neutralizing agent since some well water is chlorinated. Neutralizing any chlorine is necessary to obtain a valid coliform test. The agent will not interfere with the coliform analysis even if chlorine is not present. However, this chemical can interfere with the nitrate test so the sampling bottle for this test does NOT contain this agent.
Where should I collect my coliform and nitrate samples?
Where the sample is collected depends on the purpose for sampling. In general, the sample should be collected from the tap most frequently used for drinking water.
If you are troubleshooting a coliform bacteria problem, you may need to collect numerous samples at strategic locations in your system as outlined in the coliform action response flowchart. Sampling locations may include various areas of the distribution system. These include near the well, at the connections from the well and at points before and after water treatment devices. This approach helps determine the source of the coliform bacteria problem so that appropriate remedial action can be taken to eliminate the organisms.
Can I submit ANY container for coliform and nitrate?
No. The coliform and nitrate bottles are specially prepared for this testing. You must use the container supplied by the laboratory for the purpose intended.
I do not live in Iowa. May I still order and send you a sample?
Yes, sampling kits for coliforms and nitrate can be sent outside of Iowa. However, the sample must be received by the laboratory within 48 hours of sample collection.
Can you test for other contaminants from the coliform and nitrate sample bottles?
No. The State Hygienic Laboratory can test for a variety of organic, inorganic, radiological and microbiological contaminants in drinking water. Each contaminant will require its own type of container, sample volume or preservative. The laboratory can help determine what tests are necessary based on your circumstances and needs.
Should I request numbers for the coliform test instead of just presence or absence?
Requesting that your coliform result be reported in numbers (called Most-Probable- Number or MPN) is usually not necessary if you are collecting only one sample and you just want to know if your water is safe to drink. If you are troubleshooting a coliform problem and collecting numerous samples to pinpoint the problem, numbers may be helpful in that situation. Because of the uneven distribution of bacteria in a water system, the most probable number is only a semi-quantitative estimate of the number of bacteria in the water sample. You can only compare the numbers in ballpark terms; for example, total coliform MPN results of 20 and 40 are considered similar for bacteria testing.
How full does the container need to be?
Fill both containers to the shoulder of the bottle-- between the 100mL-mark on the bottle and the threads on the neck on the bottle. The laboratory needs 100mL for testing and also some air space to facilitate proper mixing.
How soon do you need to receive the samples?
The sooner you can get the samples to the laboratory, the more accurate the test results will be. The required time between collection and receipt at the laboratory is 48 hours, so mail or ship samples the same day of collection to avoid delay. Avoid shippling samples on Friday, during the weekend, and prior to major holidays.
