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.

4. New Document - http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf

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)

http://www.chemetrics.com/products/pdf/detergents.pdf

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)

http://www.water-research.net/arsenic.htm

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

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Pages/MCLReview2012.aspx
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/dws/ccl/ccl3.cfm#chemical

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.  

Source: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg_determine2/healthadvisory_ccl2-reg2_boron_summary.pdf

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/boron.pdf

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)

http://www.water-research.net/Waterlibrary/privatewell/lithium.pdf

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) 

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

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)

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/standards/acetone.htm

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)

http://www.water-research.net/trihalomethanes.htm

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

http://www.npi.gov.au/substances/methyl-ethyl-ketone/health.html

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/standards/meketone.htm

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

HW-11 Dimock Water Quality Methane, Acetone, Methyl ethyl ketone, Manganese, glycols, barium, strontium, uranium, thermogenic

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.

4. New Document - http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf

5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

6. Note- Suspected detects for acetone and ketone were after the treatment system and not before treatment.

7. Treatment system appears to reduce the methane to well below any action limit.

8. A Well by Well - Review of the Data for Dimock, PA collected by EPA

Well – HW-11 (2/13/2012)

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

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

http://www.chemetrics.com/products/pdf/detergents.pdf

Arsenic – < 0.001 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. 

http://www.water-research.net/arsenic.htm

Barium – 0.164 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. (OK)

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.   Therefore, this does not appear to suggest any form of impact.  (OK)

Source: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg_determine2/healthadvisory_ccl2-reg2_boron_summary.pdf

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/boron.pdf

Calcium- 35.5 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK) – the value seems low.

Chloride –7.24 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

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)

Ethane –0.320 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Fluoride – < 0.1 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is < 2 mg/L- PADEP drinking water standard is 2 mg/L.

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)

http://www.water-research.net/Waterlibrary/privatewell/lithium.pdf

Methane –  22 mg/L   – No specific drinking water standard. (Action is needed). The well water is above the new action limit of 7 mg/L- The well should be actively vented, but it may be advisable to evaluate a structural modification to the well and changing the pumping system. For more details, go to http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

Magnesium-8.13 mg/L– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Manganese– 0.0457 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, but it is approaching the value.  Some intermittent problems with discolored water may occur – additional monitoring recommended.   (OK)

Nickel – 0.0014 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)

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

Sodium –8.48  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). (OK)

Sulfate –13. 7 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Strontium – 0.469 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)

Total Dissolved Solids  – 110 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. 

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

Uranium –0.0021 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  –0.0042 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 – 0.162 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 0.0057 mg/L (J/P -actually below the actual water limit of  < 0.002 mg/L- Treated Water- the untreated water had a reported value of  <0.002 mg/L) and no trigger limit is reported, but 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)

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/standards/acetone.htm

Methyl ethyl ketone – 0.0014 mg/L (J/P- the sample is following the treatment system and below the detection limit for the method) – the untreated water had a value of < 0.002 mg/L ) – therefore the result is not actually detectable.

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.  (OK- but additional monitoring advisable)

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/methylet.html

http://www.npi.gov.au/substances/methyl-ethyl-ketone/health.html

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/standards/meketone.htm

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

The EPA also collected a treated water sample.  After treatment, the following was documented:

Ethane – From 0.320 mg/L to < 0.0012 mg/L

Methane – From 22.00 mg/L to 0.026 mg/L

Chloride – From 7.24 mg/L to 7.01 mg/L

Sulfate – From 13.74 mg/L to 13.3 mg/L

Barium – From 0.164 mg/L to 0.164 mg/L

Copper – From < 0.002 mg/L to 0.0045 mg/L – suggest corrosion within plumbing of home, the result is still below the action limit.

Sodium – From 9.35 mg/L to 11.8 mg/L

Strontium – From 0.469 mg/L to 0.513 mg/L

Uranium – From  0.0019 mg/L to 0.0019 mg/L

Zinc – 0.0042 mg/L to 0.012 mg/L  - suggest corrosion within plumbing of the home, the result is still below the action limit.

Acetone - < 0.002 mg/L to 0.0057 mg/L (J) – the detect is below the reported detection limit for the method.

Methyl ethyl ketone - < 0.002 mg/L to 0.0014 mg/L – a suspected detect following treatment.

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.

1. Methane was present at a level that is above the action limit of 7 mg/L and approaching a saturated level.  Action is needed.  Since the ratio of methane/ethane is 68 – this would suggest that the gas is of Thermogenic origin/

2. Methyl ethyl ketone and Acetone hits were suggested, but the reported values were actually below the method detection limit.  This suggests that additional monitoring may be advisable.

3. Detects for ketone and acetone after treatment suggest that this may be related to recent repairs or changes in the plumbing for the home.

4.Manganese is just below the secondary drinking water standard – continued monitoring is advisable.

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

HW-3 EPA Dimock methyl ethyl ketone MEK 2-Butanone carbon disulfide Caprolactam methane iron

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.

4. New Document - http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf

5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

6. A Well by Well - Review of the Data for Dimock, PA collected by EPA

Well – HW-3

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

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

http://www.chemetrics.com/products/pdf/detergents.pdf

Barium – 0.832 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. (OK)

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.   Therefore, this does not appear to suggest any form of impact.  (OK)

Source: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg_determine2/healthadvisory_ccl2-reg2_boron_summary.pdf

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/boron.pdf

Calcium- 29.7 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK) – the value seems low.

Chloride –5.36 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

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

Copper – 0.0055 mg/L (OK)- the secondary drinking water standard is 1.0 mg/L and the primary drinking water standard is 1.3 mg/L. (OK)

Ethane – 0.930 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Fluoride – < 0.1 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is < 2 mg/L- PADEP drinking water standard is 2 mg/L.

Iron – 0.711 mg/L (Total) and < 0.1 mg/L (D) – 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 exceeds the secondary drinking water standard.  Since the total value exceeds the limit and not the dissolved, this suggests that the primary recommendation would be to install a water treatment system to filter the iron colloids or particles from the water.  The water probably has a reddish or brown appearance. Elevated level of iron is a common water quality problem in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Action is Recommended, because of an aesthetic issue. 

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 –  28 mg/L  / 15mg/L– No specific drinking water standard. (OK).

The well water  above the new action limit of 7 mg/L.   The well will most likely require active venting and additional treatment.

For more details, go to http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

Magnesium-8.16 mg/L (D)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Manganese– 0.0726 mg/L (Total)  and 0.0723 (Dissolved)– 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 exceed the secondary drinking water standard.   (OK)

Nickel – 0.0018 mg/L (T ) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but

the EPA has suggest a MCL of 0.1 mg/L.   (OK)

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

Sodium –15.0 mg/L  (D) – 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). (OK)

Sulfate –4.82 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Strontium – 0.961 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)

Total Dissolved Solids  – 158 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. 

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

Caprolactam- 0.000438 mg/L (J) - < 0.005 mg/L – really not detectable . NJ has a groundwater standard of 3.5 mg/L.  (OK)

“Caprolactam is primarily used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers. Caprolactam is also used in brush bristles, textile stiffeners, film coatings, synthetic leather, plastics, plasticizers, paint vehicles, cross-linking for polyurethanes, and in the synthesis of lysine. The most probable routes of exposure to caprolactam are by dermal contact and inhalation of workers involved in the manufacture and use of this compound. Caprolactam may be released to the environment in emissions and effluents from its manufacturing and use facilities. Caprolactam has been detected in water. Small segments of the general population may be exposed by the ingestion of contaminated drinking water.  Caprolactam is a white, hygroscopic, crystalline solid or leaflets that are very soluble in water. Caprolactam has a unique, unpleasant odor; the odor threshold has not been established”

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/standards/pdf/105-60-2.pdf

http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol71/mono71-16.pdf

http://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bwqsa/caprolactam.pdf

Carbon disulfide – 0.00009 mg/L, there is no drinking water standard set by the EPA and PADEP, but the California's Science Advisory Panel has set a limit of 0.16 mg/L.  (OK)

“Carbon disulfide is a colorless liquid that evaporates readily at room temperature and has a sweet ether-like odor. In nature, small amounts of carbon disulfide are found in gases emitted from marshes and volcanoes and certain soil microorganisms. Carbon disulfide will rapidly evaporate from surface waters, and in air will break down into simpler substances within days to a few weeks. The primary commercial use of carbon disulfide is in the viscose rayon industry where it is used as a critical component in the manufacture of synthetic fibers. Carbon disulfide also is used in the production of cellophane and carbon tetrachloride and in a variety of other industrial processes, including vulcanization of rubber, production of resins, plywood, metal recovery from waste water, and brightening metals in electroplating.  The action level for carbon disulfide in drinking water is therefore suggested as 160 ug/L. The primary basis for OEHHA's recommendation of an action level of 160 ug/L for carbon disulfide is to provide protection from neurological damage. Human data suggest that low-level chronic exposure to carbon disulfide can diminish nerve conduction velocity in the peripheral nervous system. At higher exposures, human data show that increased nerve damage of the peripheral nervous system can occur. At such levels, there is also the potential of increased cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerotic changes, and a potential decrease in reproductive capability.”

http://oehha.ca.gov/water/pals/carbondisulfide.html

Methyl ethyl ketone – 0.00008 mg/L (J) - < 0.002 mg/L- really not detectable (2-Butanone)

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

http://www.npi.gov.au/substances/methyl-ethyl-ketone/health.html

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/standards/meketone.htm

‘

Ethylene glycol –  the reported value is < 10 mg/L – there is no 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 other glycol compounds using a method that is more sensitive or conducting some type of standard additions analysis.

No major problems

1. Methane is elevated and correction action including active venting and possibly other treatment is needed.  The value for methane ranged from 15 to 28 mg/L.  The methane to ethane ratio 16 to 30, which suggests a Thermogenic source for the methane gas.

2. No major problem, but follow-up testing should include the organic parameters that were suggested to be present at just at or near the detection limit for the method.

3. Retesting for glycols and total suspended solids using a more sensitive technique is recommended.  The sample has a total iron and manganese content that exceed the secondary drinking water standards set by the EPA and PADEP.  These limits were set for aesthetic reasons.

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

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HW-6 Dimock Data EPA barium, copper, methane, nickel, thermogenic

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.

4. New Document - http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf

5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

6. A Well by Well - Review of the Data for Dimock, PA collected by EPA

Well – HW-6

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

Barium – 0.254 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. (OK)

Calcium- 35.3 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Chloride – 7.47 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Copper – 0.0025 mg/L (OK)- the secondary drinking water standard is 1.0 mg/L and the primary drinking water standard is 1.3 mg/L. (OK)

Ethane –0.011 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Methane – 2.0 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard. (OK).

The well water is not above the new action limit of 7 mg/L, but the well should be fitted with a basic vented well cap, but the level of methane is at a level were passive venting is recommended.   For more details, go to http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

The methane/ethane ratio is (2.0/ 0.011) – 181  (Suggests biogenic, but isotopic analysis is needed)

Iron – 0.620 mg/L - 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 exceeds the secondary drinking water standard.  Elevated level of iron is a common water quality problem in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Action is Recommended, because of an aesthetic issue.    Check for MIC and Nuisance Bacteria.

Magnesium- 6.82 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Manganese– 0.0316 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.   (OK)

Nickel - 0.0012 mg/L (Total) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but the EPA has suggest a MCL of 0.1 mg/L.   (OK)

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

Nitrate+Nitrite- N – 0.699 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)

Sodium –13.2 (Total) – 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). (OK)

Strontium – 0.720 mg/L (Total)  – 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)

Sulfate – 10.6 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Total Dissolved Solids  – 25 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.  (Question – this value seems inaccurate or a typo – This should be redone.)

Uranium – 0.0045 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  – 0.0055 mg/L (Total) – Zinc is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 5.0 mg/L.  (OK)

  

Ethylene glycol –  the reported value is < 10 mg/L – there is no 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 other glycol compounds using a method that is more sensitive or conducting some type of standard additions analysis.

No major problems

1. No major problem.

2. Iron is elevated and exceeds a secondary drinking water standard.

3. Methane/Ethane Ratio would suggest that isotopic analysis is advisable.

origin and the level of methane is well below the action level of 7 mg/L, but at the action level of 2 mg/L were passive venting is recommended.

Go to: http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

4.Total Dissolved Solids results seem inaccurate or there is a typo in the draft report.

5. Retesting for glycols using a more sensitive technique is recommended.

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

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HW-14 EPA Dimock Data Review January 2012 Biogenic Gas

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.

4. New Document - http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf

5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

Well – HW-14

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

Anionic Surfactants – 0.03 mg/L – the secondary drinking water standard for foaming agents is 0.5 mg/L.  (OK)

http://www.chemetrics.com/products/pdf/detergents.pdf

Ethane –0.0029  mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Methane – 3.8 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard. (OK).

Methane/Ethane Ratio:131  (biogenic)

Note: Methane at the sink, possibly after treatment – 0.049 mg/L.

Ethylene glycol –  the reported value is < 10 mg/L – there is no 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 other glycol compounds using a method that is more sensitive or conducting some type of standard additions analysis.

Chloride – 17.70 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Sulfate – 14.40 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Arsenic – < 0.001mg/L (Total) and < 0.001 mg/L (D) – drinking water standard is <  0.010 mg/L – OK

Barium - 0.0893 mg/L (Total) and 0.0857mg/L (D) – drinking water standard is <  2 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. (OK)

Calcium- 29.9 mg/L (Total) and 29.7 mg/L (D) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Copper – 0.0021 mg/L (Total) and < 0.002 mg/L (D)- Copper is regulated as a primary standard (EPA and PA) and secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania.  Primary standard 1.3 mg/L and secondary standard 1.0 mg/L.   (OK)

Note- the copper appears to be higher at the kitchen sink – this could suggest some type of chemical / biological corrosion within the distribution system.

Lead – 0.001 mg/L (Total) and < 0.001 mg/L (D)- 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.   The level of lead after the treatment system and distribution system is 0.0015 mg/L.

Note- the lead is higher at the kitchen sink – this could suggest some type of chemical / biological corrosion within the distribution system.

Magnesium- 5.27 mg/L (Total) and 5.28 mg/L (D) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Manganese– 0.0083 mg/L (Total) and  0.0078 mg/L (D) – Manganese is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.05 mg/L.  (OK)

Nickel - 0.0016 mg/L (Total) and 0.0016 mg/L (D) – – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but the EPA has suggest a MCL of 0.1 mg/L.   (OK)

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

Sodium –9.42 mg/L (Total) and 9.26 mg/L (D) – – 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). (OK)

Zinc  – 0.0036  mg/L (Total) and 0.005 mg/L (D)  – Zinc is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 5.0 mg/L.  (OK)

Note: After treatment the Zinc content is 0.0268 mg/L – this would suggest some form of chemical or biological corrosion within the distribution system.

Total Dissolved Solids  – < 10  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.  (Question – this value seems inaccurate or a typo – This should be redone.)

Nitrate+Nitrite – 1.48 mg N/L, the EPA drinking water for nitrate-N/L is 10, but the primary drinking water standard for nitrate is 1 nitrite-N/L.  It is probably be ok, but it may be advisable to test for nitrite-N.  (OK)

No major problems

1. Heterotrophic bacteria data is not provided.

2. Methane/Ethane Ratio could suggest the source of the methane is biogenic.

3.Total Dissolved Solids results seem inaccurate or there is a typo in the draft report.

4. Higher levels for select metals suggest there could be some corrosion within the distribution system, but the levels do not exceed a primary or secondary drinking water standard.

5. Nitrate-Nitrite at 1.48 mg/L – it may be advisable to check the level of nitrite in the water.

6. Retesting for glycols using a more sensitive technique is recommended.

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