Water Well Testing Harveys Lake Pennsylvania and Q&A Session Offered

Water Well Tests and Q&A Session Offered

A comprehensive package of drinking water tests will be offered once again this summer at a deeply discounted price to Harveys Lake residents  ( Haveys Lake, Luzerne Wyoming County, PA) by the Water Research Center and National Testing Laboratories, Ltd. together with the Harveys Lake EAC.

The tests will be conducted on Saturday morning, July 21.  On Saturday morning, August 4, a free follow-up Q&A session on water well systems and non-point source pollution issues will be held.  The Q&A session is open to all residents, not just those testing their wells.

The cost of this year’s water well test package will rise to $95 (compared to a retail value of more than $225).  Residents' water will be tested for Alkalinity (Total as CaCO3), Chloride, Fluoride, Hardness, Nitrate as N, Orthophosphate, pH (Standard Units), Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity (Turbidity Units), Total Coliform with e. coli check, Aluminum, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Silica, Silver, Sodium and Zinc.  This includes some key Marcellus Shale Indicators.

Interested residents should register with Denise, at 570-639-1042. Participants can pick up water sampling kits at the Harveys Lake Borough Building between July 9 and 21.  Water samples must be dropped off between 10am and noon on July 21 at the Borough Building’s meeting room, where scientists will perform certain tests immediately.  Confidential final test results will be mailed to participants directly from the Water Research Center within two weeks of the testing date.  Payment in full for the testing is due on July 21.

The well water and non-point source pollution Q&A session will be conducted at 10AM on August 4 by Brian Oram, a professional geologist and water well expert who has run the testing programs here at Harveys Lake for many years.  Brian will make an informative presentation and then take questions from the public.  Brian’s past Q&A sessions here at the lake have been greatly appreciated by all attendees- They are fact based and provide action items to correct and evaluate problems.

Important Note: This program’s test results do not meet the requirements of a legal baseline water well test.  However, these tests remain a valuable and cost-effective opportunity for homeowners to monitor the safety of their drinking water.  If legal baseline testing is needed or would like to schedule a community information meeting with Q/A, please contact Mr. Brian Oram, PG at 570-335-1947 or go to http://www.bfenvironmental.com/natural-gas-exploration.php.

Review of Well Water from Dimock - A lot to learn and use to protect Private Well Owners in PA

Free Assistance to PA Residents
The Citizen Groundwater Surfacewater Database
Help to Track Change in Pennsylvania ((FREE -(NEW Web-Portal)

Private Well Owner - Watershed Survey
Possible Free Radon in Water Testing (FREE -(NEW Web-Portal)

New Fact Sheet on Methane Gas Migration (NEW Web-Portal)

Baseline Testing Independent water testing Natural Gas Development for Harveys Lake Region Luzerne County Pennsylvania

Baseline Testing Natural Gas Development for Harveys Lake Region Luzerne County Pennsylvania


B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. is working with the Harveys Lake Environmental Council and Kirby Health Center to offer affordable baseline testing to the residents of Harveys Lake, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 14, 2010 – The professional geologists at B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. is working with the Harveys Lake Environmental Council and Kirby Health Center to offer affordable baseline testing to the residents of Harveys Lake, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The professional geologist at B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. provided specific recommendations on baseline water quality testing that was specific to the background geology, land-use, and regional water quality for the Harveys Lake Watershed.
For more information on this specific outreach or developing other community baseline water quality monitoring programs, please visit
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/natural-gas-exploration.php

Marcellus Shale Baseline Water Testing Independent Water Testing Regional Database Outreach Wyoming and Susquehanna County Lake Carey

Marcellus Shale Baseline Water Testing Regional Database Outreach Wyoming and Susquehanna County PA at Lake Carey - Independent Water Testing


Mr. Brian Oram a professional geologist participated in a open meeting to discuss issues of Marcellus Shale Development, Baseline Water Testing, and the Development of a Regional Citizens Database at Lake Carey in Tunkhannock Pennsylvania.

PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 14, 2010 – Mr. Brian Oram a professional geologist participated in a open meeting to discuss issues of Marcellus Shale Development, Baseline Water Testing, and the Development of a Regional Citizens Database at Lake Carey in Tunkhannock Pennsylvania on Sunday - September 12, 2010. During the presenation another professional Geologist, Mr. George Turner, was present to discuss environmental issues related to natural gas development.
Both speakers provide technical information related to natural gas development, permitting, drilling, the fracturing process, regional water quality, and the key components to baseline water testing. In addition, Mr. Brian Oram, PG, provide information on the free publication available from Wilkes University, the Development of a Citizen-based regional water quality database, discussed the programs that are part of the Homeowner Outreach Program at Wilkes University and issues related to lake and watershed management.

The event was held at Lake Carey.
For more information, please visit the following:
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/

Citizen Database and Free Publication
http://www.wilkes.edu/water

Harveys Lake - Baseline Water Testing Prior to Natural Gas Development

Recommended well testing costly; options aired

Published: September 2, 2010
Work by: eskrapits@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2072
"Harveys Lake Environmental Advisory Council is teaming up with the Kirby Health Center laboratory and geologist Brian Oram to provide baseline water well testing to residents at reduced prices before natural gas well drilling begins at two sites not far from the lake.  "We are providing practical, pragmatic assistance to homeowners, as we have done for years," EAC member Michael Daley said.

Oram, who is director of Wilkes University's Center for Environmental Quality, said he is helping Harveys Lake as a professional geologist and citizen; it is unrelated to his work at Wilkes." 

Mr. Oram is working as the priniciple consultant for B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc a local business in Dallas, PA with over 20 years experience in hydrogeology, expert testimony, and water quality.  (My comment- not the author)"The nine testing packages the Environmental Advisory Council are offering are based on three-tier systems and range in price from $275 to $975. Substances tested for include methane, barium, total dissolved solids and others that could be associated with natural gas drilling but could also occur naturally."

Free Manual for Private Well Owners
I have added links to a number of self-monitoring devices that could be used as part of interim monitoring and checking by citizens.

Great Article !

Independent Water Testing and Baseline Groundwater Testing State Certified Laboratories in Northeastern Pennsylvania - Columbia, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming

The following is a short listing of state or national certified testing laboratories in our region. If you want you can find in this blog a listing of all of the laboratories in the state.

First of all what is baseline testing and some details.

Because of the specifics concerns with respect to the Marcellus Shale, the citizens are recognizing the importance of documenting the baseline quality of their drinking water and recreational water sources. The primary concern is that many professionals are recommending baseline analysis that either provide a very broad range of parameters that are not specific enough to target the Marcellus Shale or a baseline analysis that targets only the potential impacts related to the develop of natural gas and in some cases there are companies with very little experience in environmental consulting.


From the citizens perspective - It is my professional opinion, the baseline analysis needs to take into consideration the following:
a. The existing geological conditions that may affect water quality for the region or area.

b. The existing land-use or activities occurring within the recharge zone for the well or spring or watershed area for the surfacewater resource.

c. Potential sources of contaminants from proposed developments that target the various phases of the development, i.e., drilling / drilling muds, intermixing of freshwater with saline and brine water, interception of shallow gas deposits, and management of the drilling pad.

d. The existing quality of your water and type of water source.

Of these 4 items, I believe that if the professional you are considering hiring does not ask you questions about your well and your current water quality you will not be establishing an affective baseline. In addition, the professional providing this information should not be just reading off a list of recommendations by some third party, but have solid understanding of earth sciences, hydrology, well drilling, and groundwater. Remember - you are establishing a "legal" baseline that may need to address a multitude of issues not just Marcellus Shale Drilling or Hydrofracing.

Establishing a baseline - the following questions should be asked and used in the decision making process.
1. Where are you located and What is the type of water source?

2. If it is a well, what is the depth of the well, static water level, and depth of casing?

3. Does the water system have an existing treatment system? If yes, why?

4. Does the water quality change when there is a heavy rain or snow melt?

5. Has it been tested in the past?

6. Are there any problems or issues? Such as: discolored water, metallic taste, turbidity, staining, blue-green staining, etc

7. This water source supports what type of use? Single-family home, house and small farm, etc.

8. What is the size of your parcel?

9. What is the existing and past use of your parcel?

10. What is the land-use surrounding and upgradient of this source?
If the person conducting your baseline analysis - is not asking you these questions - he/she may not be providing you the help you need.

Before we get into more detail - I you do not contact a certified laboratory for guidance - then at least call a professional.  This should be a licensed water or wastewater operator or other licensed professional in the state.  There are many persons making a lot of claims, but what is there experience in the profession, do not hirer someone that basically has not professional background in the subject.  Personally - I have had retired or displaced nurserys, salesman, and many others ask me to train.  This is not appropriate and will cause you to make a bad decision.

I read on other sites that there are 4 componets to a legally defensible baseline water test.  Here they are:

1. The test must be conducted by an independent 3rd party.
2. Training and protocols must be in place
3. There must be an identifiable chain of custody
4. The test must be conducted by a Pennsylvania State Certified Laboratory.

Guess What ?
These are wrong!
This is the right concept.

To adequately meet your needs - you must establish a baseline that does the following:

1. Addresses the existing condition of the groundwater source including volume and quality based on the existing or proposed usage and surrounding conditions.  Therefore, a person with a quarry near their home and a spring - may need a different set a parameters than a person living in the middle of a 100+ acre forest.
(Pick the right parameters that meet YOUR budget, YOUR Need, and relates to YOUR situation - One package does not fit ALL).

2. Characterize your well - static and dynamic water level- measure flow or rate - calculate specific capacity.

3. Work with a "certified laboratory" using their technician or a technician that they approve or authorize.

4. The laboratory could be PADEP approve or Nationally Accredited and the laboratory must be certified for the specific methods or process your sample in cooperation with another laboratory that is certified for the necessary methods.

You can contact me at
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/
Over 20 years experience in geology, hydrology, and water quality related issues in Northeastern PA; expert witness, licensed water well driller, soil scientist, and much more.

The State Certified Laboratories that serve Northeastern PA are (partial list):
Aqua-Tech Lab, Mountaintop, PA 868-5346
Benchmark Analytical, East Stroudsburg, PA, 421-5122
Kirby Health Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA 822-4278
Friend Lab Inc., Waverly, NY, 607-565-2893
Northeastern Environmental Labs, Scranton, PA, 348-0775
Quantum Labs in Dickson City, PA 570-489-6964
Hawk Mountain Labs 570-455-6011 (Hazle Township, PA)
Seewald Laboratories 570.326.4001 ( Williamsport, PA)
(always willing to update)

Do not be fooled - there are a number of "lab" websites.  When you look deep enough- these are actually just collectors with little expertise in groundwater, water chemistry, and are not likely worth the money.

Wilkes University - Homeowner Outreach Program - Harveys Lake Area

Drinking water well testing offered

Published: July 9, 2010
http://citizensvoice.com/news/drinking-water-well-testing-offered-1.882822

Harveys Lake Environmental Advisory Council, in partnership with Wilkes University, is offering a package of drinking water well tests to borough residents at a discounted price.
Wilkes University's Water Quality Laboratory will measure residents' water for pH, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus, sodium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, chloride, sulfate, nitrate-nitrite, and phosphate. Additional parameters will be tested this year.

However, residents should note that the testing is for informational and educational purposes only and does not meet the legal requirements for baseline water testing related to natural gas drilling.
EAC Vice President Catherine Link said the council offers the testing about every two years, as a public service to the community.
The tests are as comprehensive as the ones that cost more: residents are charged $75 for the package, which has a retail value of at least $180, according to Link.
Interested residents should register with EAC Administrative Assistant Denise Sult by calling 639-1042. Participants can pick up water sampling kits at the Harveys Lake Borough Building between July 12 and 24.
Water samples must be dropped off between 10 a.m. and noon on July 24 in the borough building's meeting room, where scientists will perform certain tests immediately.
Confidential final test results will be mailed to participants directly from the Wilkes laboratory within two weeks of the testing date. Payment in full for the testing is due on July 24
A free follow-up question-and-answer session on water well systems and non-point source pollution issues will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, by Brian Oram, a professional geologist and director of the Wilkes University Center for Environmental Quality Water Lab.
The next Harveys Lake Environmental Advisory Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the borough building. Meetings are open to the public.

http://www.wilkes.edu/water
New Publication is Online
 
*****
Comment - attend the August 14 session to learn more about wellhead protection, baseline monitoring, well construction, and non-point source pollution control.
Other informational water testing services
http://www.carbon-filtration.com/