LEARNING CENTER

WATER QUALITY:
How is your water provided?
PUBLIC SUPPLY:  Water is provided through a water company, and you pay a fee for service.  This could be provided through a large supply of water (reservoir, etc.), a water tank, treatment system, or even community wells.  In most areas, the water provider is obligated to test and file reports on the water quality on a regulated basis.

SHALLOW WELL:
These are wells that are usually no deeper than 25-30 feet, lined with either concrete tiles (approx. 3' in diameter) or stone.  The top is usually made of concrete, or the entire well may be enclosed within a well house. 

DRILLED WELL:
It is easy to pick out a drilled well, as there is usually a 6" to 8" diameter pipe sticking out of the ground, with a metal well cap. Sometimes though, the drilled well access is below the surface of the ground, and is not visible.  Drilled wells can go down hundreds of feet.

If the home you are buying is served by a private well, it is highly recommended that you have a basic water quality test done.

The Basic Water Profile will determine if your water is safe to drink, testing for:
  • bacteria (both choloform and e-coli)
  • Nitrates and nitrites(often found on old farmland from fertilizers)
  • Color
  • Odor
  • turbidity (sediment in water)
  • pH level (should fall between 6.4 and 10.0)
  • iron
  • manganese
  • sodium

Other water tests are also available, including testing for the presence of arsenic, Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC's - gas, petroleum, etc.), lead, pesticides, etc.  There are many different types of water testing, but the most common would be the Basic Water Profile. 

To find out more about SAFE DRINKING WATER, visit this website:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/index2.html
RADON IN AIR:
Radon is a naturally occuring gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless, but can concentrate in homes at levels that are considered harmful to health.  Radon is caused by decaying uranium beneath the earth's surface, which is constantly permeating up into the atmosphere. The gas can seep into enclosed spaces through large or small cracks and porous surfaces.  Radon is considered the second leading cause of lung cancer, but can be easily mitigated with a ventilation system.  The only way to know if your home has radon is to test for it.  Testing for radon in air is highly recommended when purchasing a home.

You can find out much more about radon at the following website:
http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html
RADON IN WATER:
The jury is still out on the impact of radon in water, but like radon in air, the only way to know if you have radon in water is to test for it.  While some feel it is more dangerous than radon in air, the best advice is to read about it at the following link:
http://www.epa.gov/radon/rnwater.html

By reading up on radon in drinking water, you can decide if it is a health concern for you and your family.  Radon in drinking water can also be mitigated through a system.  Whether you feel it is a concern or not, the presence of radon in water may be an issue that can haunt you when you sell your home.  While many people may not test for radon in water, some choose to do so, and the presence of radon in water may become an issue in the sale.
LEAD PAINT:
Lead in paint is a concern if you are purchasing a home that was built before 1978, when both interior and exterior paints contained lead.  If you want an accurate test to determine the amount of lead, and the location of lead paint, a lead paint test can be done.  A specialty test can be conducted by a technician with the use of an XRF gun - or an X-ray gun that will penetrate all layers of paint on a surface and determine the lead content.  A technician will test numerous locations in each room, and supply a computerized report.  Removal of lead-based paint must be done using the prescribed safety precautions.

For more information on lead-based paint and its removal, visit the website:
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/