Checking wells

If you have your own well, you may be responsible for making sure that your water is safe to drink. Private wells should be tested annually for nitrate and coliform bacteria to detect contamination problems. Test more frequently and for other contaminants, such as benzene, radon or pesticides, if you suspect a problem.

Here’s a primer in testing well-water for the kinds of contaminants that leach from underground storage tanks:

What kind of tests

Volatile Organic Compounds: The recommended test for volatile organic chemicals targets gasoline compounds, including benzene and industrial solvents.

Synthetic Organic Contaminants: Testing for the remaining organics — pesticides and herbicides.

When to test

Consider testing well water for volatile organic compounds and synthetic organic contaminants if:

* Water has a strange or unusual taste or odor.

* The well is near or downstream from hazardous waste sites and other contamination areas — such as a leaking underground storage tank.

* Your property or nearby land was used for farming.

What tests cost

What you can expect to pay for various water tests:

Standard analysis: $65

Gross (screen) alpha: $50

Radon: $20-$75

Volatile organics: $100-150

Pesticides/herbicides: $450

Ordering a test

For a list of certified laboratories, contact the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at (517) 335-8812, or write to:

Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality

Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division

3350 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., P.O. Box 30270

Lansing, Mich. 48909-2933

Sources: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; U.S. EPA; New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services