I get water from a well on my property. Are there any health concerns that I should have?

As the well owner, you are responsible for assuring that your water is safe to drink. Basically, the water should be free from organisms that can cause illness. These organisms include bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and helminths (worms).

Diseases that are transmitted by water can cause anything from an upset stomach to more serious long-term health problems. Examples of some serious diseases include typhoid fever, salmonellosis, giardia, infectious hepatitis, and others.

Chemical contamination should also be a concern. For example, the amount of nitrate in the water should be a concern if you live in an agricultural area, near animal feed lots, or in other areas where fertilizers are used. Nitrate levels that exceed 10 milligrams per liter can cause methemoglobinemia, commonly known as blue baby syndrome in infants less than 1 year old. Negative long-term health effects associated with consuming nitrates also exist.

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