Safewelltech Providing "Safe Water" Solutions
While the construction of private wells in New York State is subject to local and/or state ordinances, the quality of a private well’s output is the sole responsibility of the owner. The Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate private wells or provide standards for individual wells.
At Safewelltech, we have developed solutions for many of the issues facing residential well owners in upstate NY including:
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Coliform and E.coli bacteria well contamination. These type of bacteria occur naturally in the environment, and are found in soil and human and animal waste. Potential health effects of pathogenic bacteria can include polio, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and infectious hepatitis among other illness.
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Viruses and parasites such as giardia, nuorovirus, coronavirus, cryptosporidium. According to the CDC, three of the six major water borne illness outbreaks from 1971-2010 were caused by parasites or viruses. These can cause respiratory and/or gastrointestinal issues.
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Heavy Metals such as manganese, lead, arsenic, lead, copper, chromium, selenium and more. Heavy metals can contaminate drinking water via older, corroded plumbing lines or runoff from industrial, manufacturing and mining operations. Lead and copper contamination can also occur if the plumbing inside the household being served by the well hasn't been updated. Excess levels of heavy metals in the human body can cause damage to kidneys and liver, intestinal problems, cancer and more.
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Sulfur (rotten egg smell). Even extremely small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can cause your water to have quite the malodorous smell. Despite the terrible odor, hydrogen sulfide is actually not a health risk. But it is a nuisance and often off putting to visitors and can be an issue when you go to sell your home.
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Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Consumer and industrial solvents uses such as degreasers, paint removers, and cleaning agents—also are among the most common VOCs detected in groundwater. Gasoline compounds and additives are another class of VOCs that are sometimes detected in groundwater. VOCs are pervasive in daily life, because they’re used in industry, agriculture, transportation, and day-to-day activities around the home. Once released into groundwater, many VOCs are persistent and can migrate to drinking-water supply wells and may reach harmful levels.
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Nitrates are naturally occurring compounds that can enter well water from runoff from sewage and septic systems, industrial activity, animal waste and fertilizers. Consumption of water with high nitrate levels are a health concern for pregnant women, developing babies, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic heart, lung or blood conditions.
For more information on these contaminates and their health risks please refer to:
USGS.gov: Contaminants Found in Groundwater
EPA.gov: Potential Well Water Contaminants and Their Impacts