Sunday, June 17, 2012

Private Well Water Quality Susquehanna County Dimock PA



Comment

1. Without predrilling data, it is not possible to comment on the cause for any water quality problems.
2. Where possible, I have noted situations where elevated levels of a water quality parameter exists in Pennsylvania.
3. If duplicate analysis provided, I attempted to use the highest reported value.
5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

Well – HW-20 (1/30/2012)

With the exception of the following parameters, the remaining values were reported as NOT Detected (U)

Heterotrophic Bacteria – 67 colonies per 100 ml ( I do not understand the J value).  The drinking water limit is < 500 colonies per 100 ml (OK).

Total Coliform < 1 colony per 100 ml (OK)

Aluminum – < 0.030 mg/L (Total) - drinking water standard ranges from 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L.   This parameter is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard, because of aesthetic reasons.   The treated water level of aluminum is < 0.030 mg/L.  (OK)

Anionic Surfactants –< 0.01 mg/L – the secondary drinking water standard for foaming agents is 0.5 mg/L.  (OK)

Arsenic – < 0.002 mg/L – drinking water standard is <  0.010 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact and arsenic is a common problem in NEPA – about 6 % of private wells have arsenic above 0.010 mg/L.  The treated water level of arsenic was
< 0.002 mg/L and treated and filtered < 0.002 mg/L.  (OK)

Barium – 0.0328 mg/L – the primary drinking water standard for barium is 2.0 mg/L –– this does not suggest any specific impact and barium is typically detectable in non-saline impacted water at a level of less than 1 mg/L. After treatment, the concentration is 0.0329 mg/L.  (OK)

Bromide – < 0.5 mg/L - In freshwater, bromide is typically less than 0.05 mg/L. Therefore, it would be advisable to retest using a method with a lower detection limit.

Other References

Boron –< 0.050 mg/L (Total) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available. EPA appears to have a long-term health advisory of 2.0 mg/L, but other states have limits that range from 0.6 to 1 mg/L.  

Calcium- 22.40 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  After treatment, the level of Calcium is 22.10 mg/L.(OK)

Chloride –3.41 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.   After treatment, the reported value was 3.1 mg/L (OK).

Chromium-< 0.002 mg/L (D) and the EPA/ PADEP primary drinking water standard is
< 0.100 mg/L (OK).

Copper – 0.0045 mg/L  (Untreated) - the secondary drinking water standard is 1.0 mg/L and the primary drinking water standard is 1.3 mg/L. (OK)  At the tap the level was 0.0039 mg/L.

Ethane –< 0.0012 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Fluoride – 0.109 mg/L – drinking water standard is < 2 mg/L- PADEP drinking water standard is 2 mg/L.   After treatment, the reported value was 0.124 mg/L (OK).

Iron – < 0.100 mg/L (Total) – Iron is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.3 mg/L.  Therefore, the total iron content does not exceed the secondary drinking water standard.  (OK)

Lead – 0.0024 mg/L (Total) - Lead is regulated as a primary standard (EPA and PA) at 0.015 mg/L, but the action level in PA for source water is 0.005 mg/L. (OK)

Lithium – < 0.200 mg/L (Total) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but EPA has recommend a level be below 0.7 mg/L    (OK)

Methane   < 0.0095 mg/L   – No specific drinking water standard.  The well water is below the new action limit of 7 mg/L.   After treatment, the level of methane is < 0.0095 mg/L. For more details, go to http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

Magnesium-5.71 mg/L– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)  The treated water level of magnesium was 5.57 mg/L.

Manganese– 0.0026 mg/L (Total) – Manganese is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.05 mg/L.  Therefore, the total manganese content does not exceed the secondary drinking water standard.   After treatment the level is 0.0023 mg/L. (OK)

Nickel – < 0.001 mg/L  – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard
is available, but the EPA has suggest a MCL of 0.1 mg/L.   (OK) 

Potassium – <  2.0 mg/L (Total–  no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available (OK)

Sodium –6.21  mg/L  – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but the EPA has added it to the Candidate List to provide more analysis.  The EPA’s initial value of 20 mg/L has been clearly identified as not realistic.  When chloride (salt is sodium chloride) is present at a concentration of over 250 mg/L, the water can have an “off” taste. At 400+ mg/L chloride, the water will taste definitely salty. (Source- Dr. Brian Redmond, Professional Geologist).  After treatment, the level was 6.04 mg/L. (OK)

Sulfate –5.73 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Strontium < 0.200 mg/L   – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but it is on the EPA Candidate List.  The EPA recommends that drinking water levels of nonradioactive strontium should not be more than 4 mg/L.  The report limit is consistent with background levels in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  If the background level was above 4 mg/L, it would be advisable to test for radiological parameters, especially alpha/beta.  (OK)  After treatment, the level is < 0.200 mg/L.

Total Dissolved Solids  48 mg/L  (Value appears low) – Total Dissolved Solids is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 500 mg/L.  After treatment, the level was 109 mg/L (OK- Retesting Recommended).

Total Suspended Solids - < 10 mg/L – no standard, but would recommend retesting to obtain a lower detection limit.

Uranium –< 0.001 mg/L (Total) – Uranium is regulated as a primary drinking water standard by the EPA and PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.030 mg/L.  (OK)

Zinc  0.0127 mg/L – Zinc is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 5.0 mg/L. After treatment, the level of zinc was 0.0158 mg/L. (OK)

Nitrate+Nitrite- N – 0.42 mg/L, this is well below the EPA / PADEP drinking water limit of 10mg N/L for nitrate-N and would also be below the limit of 1.0 mg N/L for nitrite-N. (OK)

Acetone - the reported value was < 0.002 mg/L.  PADEP has a Medium Specific Concentration (MSC) for aquifers with a TDS of < 2500 mg/L of 33.0 mg/L and Massachusetts appears to have a drinking water standard of 6.3 mg/L. (OK)

Bromoform – < 0.0005 mg/L – the Total Trihalomethane Group has a limit of 0.08 mg/L, but bromoform should be less than 0.004 mg/L.  (OK)

Methyl ethyl ketone – < 0.002 mg/L in the treated water and untreated water. (OK)
Methyl ethyl ketone is a colorless volatile liquid that is soluble in water. The odor threshold for methyl ethyl ketone is 5.4 parts per million (ppm), with an acetone-like odor reported. Methyl ethyl ketone is also referred to as 2-butanone.   The EPA and PADEP has not set a drinking water standard, but it appears that Massachusetts has set a level of 4 mg/L.
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/methylet.html

Ethylene glycol –  the reported value is < 10 mg/L – there is not standard, but the EPA has a guidance limit of < 7 mg/L.  Other states have lower and higher standards:

New Jersey 0.300 mg/L (300 ppb)
Arizona 5.5 mg/L (5500 ppb)
New Hampshire 7.0 mg/L (7000 ppb)
Florida, Massachusetts, and Minnesota14.0 mg/L (14,000 ppb)
Minnesota

At a minimum, I would recommend retesting for ethylene glycol other and glycol-type compounds using a method that is more sensitive or conducting some type of standard additions analysis.  In addition, it would be advisable to retest the level of total dissolved solids and conduct a first flush test for copper, lead, and zinc.

This document can not be copied in whole or part without the expressed written permission of Mr. Brian Oram, B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Do you want to make a positive change in PA - that will cost you NO Money?
Help Support the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater Database and Submit Your Baseline Data !

 Free Information on Drinking Water Quality - http://www.water-research.net







Dimock Pennsylvania Well Water Quality


Comment

1. Without predrilling data, it is not possible to comment on the cause for any water quality problems.
2. Where possible, I have noted situations where elevated levels of a water quality parameter exists in Pennsylvania.
3. If duplicate analysis provided, I attempted to use the highest reported value.
5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

Well – HW-18 (1/30/2012)

With the exception of the following parameters, the remaining values were reported as NOT Detected (U)

Heterotrophic Bacteria – 73 colonies per 100 ml ( I do not understand the J value).  The drinking water limit is < 500 colonies per 100 ml (OK).

Total Coliform < 1 colony per 100 ml (OK)

Aluminum – 0.0346 mg/L (Total) and < 0.030 mg/L (D)- drinking water standard ranges from 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L.   This parameter is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard, because of aesthetic reasons.   The treated water level of aluminum is < 0.030 mg/L.  (OK)

Anionic Surfactants –< 0.01 mg/L – the secondary drinking water standard for foaming agents is 0.5 mg/L.  (OK)

Arsenic – 0.0022 mg/L – drinking water standard is <  0.010 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact and arsenic is a common problem in NEPA – about 6 % of private wells have arsenic above 0.010 mg/L.  The treated water level of arsenic was 0.0021 mg/L and treated and filtered 0.0026 mg/L.  (Ok – monitoring recommended)

Barium – 0.276 mg/L – the primary drinking water standard for barium is 2.0 mg/L –– this does not suggest any specific impact and barium is typically detectable in non-saline impacted water at a level of less than 1 mg/L. After treatment, the concentration is 0.309 mg/L.  (OK)

Bromide – < 0.5 mg/L - In freshwater, bromide is typically less than 0.05 mg/L. Therefore, it would be advisable to retest using a method with a lower detection limit.
 Other References

Boron –0.186 mg/L (Total) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available. EPA appears to have a long-term health advisory of 2.0 mg/L, but other states have limits that range from 0.6 to 1 mg/L.   Therefore, this does not appear to suggest any form of impact.  (OK- but monitoring advisable)

Calcium- 16.0 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  After treatment, the level of Calcium is 18.3 mg/L.(OK)

Chloride –2.84 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.   After treatment, the reported value was 5.05 mg/L (OK).

Chromium-< 0.002 mg/L (D) and the EPA/ PADEP primary drinking water standard is
< 0.100 mg/L (OK).

Copper – < 0.002 mg/L  (Untreated) - the secondary drinking water standard is 1.0 mg/L and the primary drinking water standard is 1.3 mg/L. (OK)  At the tap the level was 0.0078 mg/L – this suggests there is some level of corrosion and leaching of copper in the plumbing for the home.

Ethane –< 0.0012 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Fluoride – 0.117 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is < 2 mg/L- PADEP drinking water standard is 2 mg/L.   After treatment, the reported value was 0.26 mg/L (OK).

Iron – < 0.100 mg/L (Total)) – Iron is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.3 mg/L.  Therefore, the total iron content does not exceed the secondary drinking water standard.  (OK)

Lead – < 0.001 mg/L (Total) - Lead is regulated as a primary standard (EPA and PA) at 0.015 mg/L, but the action level in PA for source water is 0.005 mg/L. (OK)

Lithium – < 0.200 mg/L (Total) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but EPA has recommend a level be below 0.7 mg/L    (OK)

Methane   0.190 mg/L   – No specific drinking water standard. The well water is below the new action limit of 7 mg/L.   After treatment, the level of methane is 0.160 mg/L. For more details, go to http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

Magnesium-2.73 mg/L– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)  The treated water level of magnesium was 3.07 mg/L.

Manganese– 0.0062 mg/L (Total) – Manganese is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.05 mg/L.  Therefore, the total manganese content does not exceed the secondary drinking water standard.   After treatment the level is 0.0078 mg/L. (OK)

Nickel – < 0.001 mg/L  – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard
is available, but the EPA has suggest a MCL of 0.1 mg/L.   (OK) 

Potassium – <  2.0 mg/L (Total–  no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available (Ok)

Sodium –45.6  mg/L  – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but the EPA has added it to the Candidate List to provide more analysis.  The EPA’s initial value of 20 mg/L has been clearly identified as not realistic.  When chloride (salt is sodium chloride) is present at a concentration of over 250 mg/L, the water can have an “off” taste. At 400+ mg/L chloride, the water will taste definitely salty. (Source- Dr. Brian Redmond, Professional Geologist).  After treatment, the level was 37.0 mg/L. (OK)

Sulfate –7.53 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Strontium  0.954 mg/L   – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but it is on the EPA Candidate List.  The EPA recommends that drinking water levels of nonradioactive strontium should not be more than 4 mg/L.  The report limit is consistent with background levels in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  If the background level was above 4 mg/L, it would be advisable to test for radiological parameters, especially alpha/beta.  (OK)  After treatment, the level is 1.09 mg/L.

Total Dissolved Solids   138 mg/L   – Total Dissolved Solids is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 500 mg/L.  After treatment the level was 73 mg/L- this value seems to be low (OK).

Total Suspended Solids - < 10 mg/L – no standard, but would recommend retesting to obtain a lower detection limit.

Uranium 0.001 mg/L (Total) – Uranium is regulated as a primary drinking water standard by the EPA and PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.030 mg/L.  (OK)

Zinc  –< 0.002 mg/L – Zinc is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 5.0 mg/L.  (OK)

Nitrate+Nitrite- N – < 0.05 mg/L, this is well below the EPA / PADEP drinking water limit of 10mg N/L for nitrate-N and would also be below the limit of 1.0 mg N/L for nitrite-N. (OK)

Acetone - the reported value was < 0.002 mg/L.  PADEP has a Medium Specific Concentration (MSC) for aquifers with a TDS of < 2500 mg/L of 33.0 mg/L and Massachusetts appears to have a drinking water standard of 6.3 mg/L. (OK)  The value in the treated water was  < 0.0033 mg/L (Not your why the detection limit changed).

Bromoform – < 0.0005 mg/L – the Total Trihalomethane Group has a limit of 0.08 mg/L, but bromoform should be less than 0.004 mg/L.  (OK)

Methyl ethyl ketone – < 0.002 mg/L in the treated water and untreated water. (OK)
Methyl ethyl ketone is a colorless volatile liquid that is soluble in water. The odor threshold for methyl ethyl ketone is 5.4 parts per million (ppm), with an acetone-like odor reported. Methyl ethyl ketone is also referred to as 2-butanone.   The EPA and PADEP has not set a drinking water standard, but it appears that Massachusetts has set a level of 4 mg/L.
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/methylet.html

Ethylene glycol –  the reported value is < 10 mg/L – there is not standard, but the EPA has a guidance limit of < 7 mg/L.  Other states have lower and higher standards:

New Jersey 0.300 mg/L (300 ppb)
Arizona 5.5 mg/L (5500 ppb)
New Hampshire 7.0 mg/L (7000 ppb)
FloridaMassachusetts, and Minnesota14.0 mg/L (14,000 ppb)
Minnesota

At a minimum, I would recommend:

a.  retesting for ethylene glycol other and glycol-type compounds using a method that is more sensitive or conducting some type of standard additions analysis;
b. retesting total dissolved solids; and
c. monitoring arsenic, retesting bromide to a lower level, and monitoring strontium


Annual Water Testing 

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This document can not be copied in whole or part without the expressed written permission of Mr. Brian Oram, B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Do you want to make a positive change in PA - that will cost you NO Money?
Help Support the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater Database and Submit Your Baseline Data !

 Free Information on Drinking Water Quality - http://www.water-research.net

arsenic, bromide, strontium, glycols, uranium, barium, aluminium, standard  plate count, Dimock PA Well Water

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Natural Gas in Ohio and Pennsylvania - PA Royalty Payments for Streams


This was posted for my use.  This is actual work by Mr. Timothy Rounds.
Water Usage Law Signed In Ohio
On June 4, 2012, Ohio Governor, John Kasich, signed House Bill 473, which imposes limits on the amount of water businesses may consume without first obtaining a withdrawal and consumptive use permit from the Chief of the Division of Soil and Water Resources. The bill was passed in accordance with the December 2013 deadline imposed in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact.
        Click here to view the full article.
 
Pennsylvania To Collect Royalties For Gas Extracted From Publicly Owned Streams
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PDCNR) recently instituted a policy to collect royalties for gas extracted beneath publicly owned streams, lakes, and waterways.  The Dam Safety and Encroachments Act of 1978 (32 P.S. § 693.15) vested the ownership of mineral interests under the navigable waterways in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Under the new policy, natural gas drillers are required to acquire a lease from the PDCNR for the lands beneath the waterways where their operations require drilling under, or adjacent to, the waterways.  Furthermore, natural gas drillers may also be required to obtain a submerged lands license from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for use of the streambeds in drilling operations.  The PDCNR posted a partial list of the waterways at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd2/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_009715.pdf.
A copy of the summary of the PDCNR's new policy is posted at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_009714.pdf.
This article was authored by Timothy R. Rounds, Jackson Kelly PLLC.


Links



Thursday, June 14, 2012

Marcellus Shale Coalition's Research Collaborative Technology Showcase


Certified Baseline Sampler Training Program Oil and Gas Ohio Pennsylvania


Certified Baseline Sampler Training Program

Due to events like the shale natural gas drilling, new water well development and overall water quality awareness; the need for certified water sample collectors is growing by leaps and bounds to help keep up with the demand for compliant and regulatory water testing. National Testing Laboratories in conjunction with Wilkes University and B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. is offering a Certified Sampler Program to individuals interested in learning about proper sample collection techniques and chain of custody.

The Certified Sampler Program was developed to address specific collection issues and testing requirements associated with New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Texas. We are also gathering additional testing information necessary for testing in Wyoming and Colorado as well. Certified sample collectors are required for any type of water sampling that needs to be collected for regulatory/compliance testing or testing that may have litigation implications.

Who should consider attending this class? Anyone working in the water industry including Water Treatment professionals, Well Drillers, Public Water Supply Technicians as well as Environmental Activists who may want to learn more about the process of water testing. More importantly, anyone who would be interested in being called upon to collect water samples in the field for compliance and/or regulatory testing. Why attend this class? For many reasons, including Water Quality Association (WQA) continuing education credits, additional income sources and lead generation to name a few. At the successful completion of this program, you will receive WQA continuing education credits; a Certificate of Completion from Wilkes University and a Certification of Completion from B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. on Proper Chain of Custody.


When: July 28, 2012
Where: Cleveland, OH (location to be determined)
Cost: $175.00 per person Reservations are required for class attendance

The class will be held on July 28, 2012 in Cleveland OH. There will be approximately 4 hours of classroom instruction as well as hands on field instruction. Seating is limited and reservations will be taken on a first come-first serve basis. Reservations must be made by no later than June 29th or until capacity is reached. For reservations or if you have questions about this class, please contact Marianne Metzger at 800-458-3330 x223 or email at mmetzger@ntllabs.com.

Download a PDF version of this announcement.

More Online Training Programs
Well by Well Review of Dimock, PA

CLIMATE CHANGE: IS IT REAL? IS IT A HOAX?


Featured Training Courses
Global Warming and Climate Change 

CLIMATE CHANGE:  IS IT REAL?  IS IT A HOAX?
Learn the facts.  Weigh the evidence.  You decide.

The Lackawaxen River Conservancy and SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education Development Support) are hosting a presentation of The Climate Reality Project on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 7 pm, at the PPL Environmental Center, Rte. 6, Hawley. 

The Climate Reality Project is dedicated to bringing factual information about the climate crisis into the mainstream and engaging the public in conversation about effective solutions.  Founded and chaired by Al Gore, Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President, The Climate Reality Project has more than 5 million members and supporters worldwide. It is guided by one simple truth: The climate crisis is real and we know how to solve it.

Presenter Hilde Binford will address climate change as an urgent crisis that must be addressed not simply by altering our personal lifestyle, but more effectively by individuals and communities coming together to develop real, systemic, and innovative solutions. 

Hilde Binford was a member of one of the first groups to train with Al Gore in January of 2007, and she has been making presentations and leading workshops about climate change ever since.  At Moravian College, she co-teaches a multi-disciplinary course entitled Climate Crises: Past, Present and Future.  For the past three years, she has led the college delegation to the United Nations meetings on climate change held in Copenhagen, TianJin, Cancun, and Bonn.

The program is free of charge and all are welcome to attend.

Michele Ulmer
Administrative Manager
Pike County Conservation District
556 Route 402
Hawley, PA  18428
570-226-8220
Fax 570-226-8222
www.pikeconservation.org

For the record- I never believed in the Global Warming or Global Cooling Concept - I felt that the natural buffering system would become overwhelmed and we would see more significant swings in regional climate, i.e., Climate Change.   Now have we caused or caused to increase faster than nature - I would say - Yes - we are the ones that cut down the forest, put more carbon and other gases in the air - if we were not here on this planet - the Climate and Environment would be significantly different.