Well Water Basics for the Homeowner in Carbon County Pennsylvania
Well Water Basics for the Homeowner Carbon County Pennsylvania
Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 pm
Environmental Consultant and hydrogeologist Brian Oram presents this free program for homeowners with private well and/or septic systems at part of the Community Outreach Efforts of the Keystone Clean Water Team. Brian explains smart well maintenance, and takes the mystery out of your water test results.
The program is free of charge. However, a low-cost well water testing program will be outlined for those interested. A booklet on groundwater and water testing will also be available for a $5 donation.
Registration is required as space is limited. Call CCEEC to sign up at (570) 645-8597 or visit our Program Page.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners. We look for people that can forward solid articles, help coordinate local education efforts, and more. Become part of the Keystone Clean Water Team!.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot. Get YOUR WATER Tested – Discounted Screening Tests !
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Waiting on Official Name change to the Keystone Clean Water Team by the IRS. Unsolicited donations are appreciated (Helps us complete our mission).
Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organization).
Case # 10 – Frac Sand in Water Well? Luzerne County, PA
Homeower Complained of Intermittent Problems with Fine Particles and Sandy Particles in Water and an intermittent odor- System already had a particle filter. (Case # 10 and more cases)
1. Visited Site and Evaluated System.
2. Found the accumulations of very fine material in filter housing and on filter
3. Particles – they were not well rounded and when concentrated the material was slightly sticky. The material was gray in color, clear, brown, but some particles had a rusty appearance.
4. Reviewed historic water quality – no methane problems, no evidence of saline water impacts. Water turbidity – 0.6 ntu.
5. Intermittent Bacterial Problems- discoloration in toilet tank.
6. Toilet tank had a coating not really slimy.
7. Camera surveyed well – casing was only 40 feet below ground, no grout around annular space, drive-shoe present – gray like material observed just below the driveshoe and fractured zone below driveshoe.
8. Tested water for a Tier 3 and informational water quality test, plus added total coliform, standard plate count, slime bacteria, sulfur bacteria, and iron related bacteria.
Results
1. The water testing – no evidence of methane or salt or saline water contamination.
2. Particles appeared to be a combination of silt and very fine sand what was not well rounded with slime bacteria and iron oxides – very atypical of frac sand (why to fine).
3. Particles appear to be entering the well at about 42 feet and the steel casing was rusting contributing particles to the water
4. Pathway appears to be associated with a fractured zone in the rock that is allowing some of the overlying unconsolidated material to migrate into the well following a recharge event.
5. Pathway appeared to be the source of the bacterial causing the discolored water and odor.
6. Returned after a rain storm – cascading water entering at 42 feet – well water turbidity untreated increase to 5 ntu and bacterial levels in higher
Recommended
1. Recommended a shock disinfection of the well.
2. Recommendation – Line the upper portion of the well to extend the cased zone to approximately 65 feet.
3. Retest
Problem appeared to be solved after retesting.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners. We look for people that can forward solid articles, help coordinate local education efforts, and more. Become part of the Keystone Clean Water Team!.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot. Get YOUR WATER Tested – Discounted Screening Tests !
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Waiting on Official Name change to the Keystone Clean Water Team by the IRS. Unsolicited donations are appreciated (Helps us complete our mission).
Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organization).
Pennsylvania Well Owners Residents Submit Data to the Citizens Database
For 2014 – ROA Number – 2 – Citizens Database
For the past 20+ years, Mr. Brian Oram has been conducting water quality analysis, baseline testing, and conducting education programs for the citizens of Pennsylvania. Even though our groundwater resources are one of our most important assets, there is limited data on the quality and quantity of regional groundwater. While working at Wilkes University, he helped establish the formation of a “Citizen” Groundwater and Surfacewater Database. Even though he no longer work full-time at Wilkes University, he is working with the Keystone Clean Water Team, Dr. Brian Redmond, and Dr. Sid Halsor on the development, formation, and creation of this community tool. This regional water quality database is an unbiased warehouse of water quality data that is supported by fellow “Citizens” of this Commonwealth. After reviewing this information, we would hope you will take action and support the PA Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater Database and Contribute to the PA Private Well Owner and Watershed Survey, but if you outside of Pennsylvania we will still provide assistance with reviewing your data and maintain a record. For private well owners and water systems outside of Pennsylvania, please participate in this survey.
The database will provide information about the current state of groundwater and surface water quality and serve as a basis for monitoring impacts related to Marcellus gas drilling and other activity in our region. The purpose of our database is twofold. We will use it to help us better understand the current and future groundwater and surface water quality for the region. The database will also be used to generate educational materials relating to regional water quality. The database is for research and education purposes, and will not be sold or used for any commercial purpose. The database is managed by representatives of the Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences Department at Wilkes University, i.e., Dr. Brian Redmond and Dr. Sid Halsor. To protect your privacy, the research database file will only include the testing results, zip code, general information on well or water source, and the latitude and longitude of the sampling site. Your name, address, or other contact information will NOT be included within the database.
To learn More – go to Citizen Science and the Citizen Groundwater/ Surfacewater Database– The Concept.
You can send a copy of your certified testing data- It is FREE!
In order to participate in this process, please do the following:
1. Information Document about the Program (Download a copy – fill it out -Please Keep for Your Reference).
2. Download a copy of the Consent Form to release to the Database and Sign and Return.
3. Send a copy of your certified laboratory testing results with Chain-of-Custody Documents.
4. Mail this information to:
Mr. Brian Oram, PG
Keystone Clean Water Team
15 Hillcrest Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
Questions – call (570) 335-1947
or send a pdf version by email to bfenviro@ptd.net.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners. We look for people that can forward solid articles, help coordinate local education efforts, and more. Become part of the Keystone Clean Water Team!.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot. Get YOUR WATER Tested – Discounted Screening Tests !
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Waiting on Official Name change to the Keystone Clean Water Team by the IRS. Unsolicited donations are appreciated.
Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organization).
Carbon County Groundwater Guardian Master Well Owner Network Volunteers Training
The Carbon County Groundwater Guardians has been along standing supporter and trainer as part of the Master Well Owner Network. Our group conducts local face to face training sessions through Pennsylvania. Listing of some of our past Outreach Events. Since 1999, this organization and its partners have provide direct and indirect assistance to over 1.2 million private well owners worldwide. We stared a Private Well Owner Education Program and Water Testing Program in 2000. Please consider support our efforts.
New Announcement – 9/30/2013 – MWON Free Webinar.
We wanted to announce, that the PSU is offer a free online training program.
If you are interested in learning more about the proper management of private water wells, springs and cisterns and you are willing to share what you learn with others, you might be interested in applying for the Master Well Owner online course being offered by Penn State Extension starting on September 30, 2013!
The Penn State Master Well Owner Network will provide free, online training for the first 25 volunteers who submit an application and are accepted into the program. To be eligible for this program you must
1) NOT be employed by any company that provides paid services to private water supply owners (i.e. water testing companies, water treatment companies, water well drillers, etc.) and
2) you must be willing to pass along basic private water system management knowledge to other private water system owners.
The registration deadline for this course is September 20. Each accepted volunteer will receive seven weekly emails with links to short reading assignments and video presentations on private water system basics, water testing, water supply protection, water treatment, water conservation, and how to educate others. Course registrants can complete the course at their own pace from September 30 to November 11. A computer with a high speed internet connection is recommended to view all of the course materials and videos.
Volunteers who successfully complete the training course and pass a short exam will receive a free copy of the 80 page publication – A Guide to Private Water Systems in Pennsylvania, a coupon good for a 10% discount on water testing through the Penn State water testing lab, and access to various MWON educational materials. In return, MWON volunteers are asked to pass along what they have learned to other private water supply owners and submit an annual report of their educational accomplishments.
Note From Carbon County Groundwater Guardians – Consider coming back and helping our efforts – Looking for Volunteers Statewide.
For your information, we wanted to point out a few other resources
1. Mail Order Water Testing Kits or consider using a local water testing laboratory. The mail order testing is done by a Nationally Certified Laboratory and a portion of the proceeds that help support this organization.
2. New Education Guide for Private Well Owners in PA – What do the numbers mean and Insights into Baseline Water Testing? (Proceeds Benefit this Organization- free online read only version)
3. Our Online FREE Library of Pdf, videos, powerpoint presenations for private well owners.
4. Our New Flier
5. Stop by at the PA Energy Games and Say Hello – September 7, 2013
Free Webinars on Groundwater Education and Related Topics
The Carbon County Groundwater Guardians are providing links to some of the best FREE Webinars on Groundwater Management, Sustainability, Water Well Education and Much More.
-
Challenges and Opportunities of Integrated Management of Surface Water and Groundwater (free)
- Introduction to Test Your Well (free)We request you consider using the testing services our OUR Partner Laboratories. Accurate Testing and free assistance in reviewing the findings.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot.
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.. Unsolicited donations are appreciated.
Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organization).
Act 13 Grant Application Baseline Tesitng Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Columbia County Pennsylvania
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot.
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.. Unsolicited donations are appreciated.
Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organization).
NGWA Seeks Comment on Draft of Water Well Construction Standard
| NGWA Seeks Comment on Draft of Water Well Construction Standard |
| it is important to comment – because it is likely that this will be the starting point for a Pennsylvania based standard. |
| Public comment on the substantive changes to the draft of the ANSI/NGWA-07-13 Water Well Construction Standard will be accepted through the close of business on August 25.Comments received will be considered in the final water well construction standard to be submitted for approval to ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
A “standard” is a formal technical document for generally accepted processes, procedures, and policies. NGWA is seeking establishment of standards to protect groundwater resources and public health, and to help ensure capable professionals by establishing a benchmark for water well construction. Part of the ANSI standard development process involves posting any substantive changes for public comment. The document up for revision only contains the changes that have been made since the last public review. Among the areas covered by the proposed standard are:
Among those encouraged to comment are stakeholders in the groundwater industry including contractors, regulators, scientists, engineers, suppliers, and manufacturers, as well as consumers such as private and public water well owners. Interested parties should download the drafted amendments, as well as the comment form located at www.NGWA.org, or contact NGWA Industry Practices Administrator/Certification Coordinator Jessica Rhoads for these documents; comments will only be accepted via the approved form and must be received by e-mail, fax, or postal mail on or before 5 p.m. ET August 25. For further information, contact Rhoads at jrhoads@ngwa.org or (800) 551-7379 (614-898-7791), ext. 511. |
A Water Quality Test Protects Against Contaminated Drinking Water
A Test on Water to Ensure Safety
Summary: Examining what you may be drinking in your water and why a water quality test on water is essential.
There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a cold glass of water. However, what if I told you that delicious glass of water could be making you sick? Yes, even water that tastes fine and looks clear may contain extremely harmful, dangerous microorganisms. While most people do not really think about having a water quality test completed for their water, it is most definitely an action you want to consider having done right away. Only information can protect you and your family, and if you know the data about the water you are drinking then you can take confidence in knowing whether your water is clean or poisoning you and your family.
Running a test on water is the best way to find out exactly what is in the water you and your loved ones are drinking. This can be done on any water source, even if you live in the city and water is provided through a water system. Although, there are some natural chemicals and minerals that are found in water that can be beneficial to us and are completely safe, there are also limits to the ingestible amounts found. If you drink the recommended water intake daily you need to be sure that you are drinking safe water.
A water quality test determines if there are any harmful bacteria in your water, such as total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli., just to name a few. All of these harmful bacteria can cause you to become sick or make you susceptible to illness. There are some hazards in water that can even cause cancer and disease. While coliform bacteria is the least dangerous of the bacteria found in water, a large presence of it found in your water will lead to the need to test for other types of bacterium and contaminants. The others can cause sickness, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, low fever, vomiting, and more.
The last thing anybody wants is to end up getting sick from drinking water that they thought was completely safe. Running a test on water is important to guarantee you and your loved ones are drinking good, clean, safe drinking water. Have a professional come in and run the test for you. The reputable ones will be able to use a dependable, approved, trustworthy lab to run the test determining what is and is not in the water. It is recommended that you have your water tested routinely. Depending on the circumstances, yearly is advised, but some do test more often.
About the Author: AquaKnow.com is a trusted and affordable water quality testing service. Once you have had a test water sample taken, their laboratories will interpret those results for you. Contact them at 877-734-7661 to consult with one of their representatives.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot.
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organiazation).
Pennsylvania Private Well Survey Watershed Monitoring Marcellus Shale Issues Sourcewater Protection
This survey is part of the efforts of the Carbon County Groundwater Guardians and the Water Research Center, to help educate and inform the community. The survey will not be published and all information is confidential. This survey covers topics related to Marcellus and Utica Shale Development in Pennsylvania, private well construction, role of source water protection, and how to help the rural private well owner.
Part of this survey will be used to create a new booklet that helps educate private well owners and policy makers in our community and a summary of the survey will be used to properly inform policy makers and to guide the direction of this organization.
This survey is not funded by any outside company or organization and solely funded by Mr. Brian Oram the current manager for the Groundwater Guardian Organization and Director of the Research Center. If you have questions about this survey please email – bfenviro@ptd.net or call (570) 335-1947.
For contributing to this survey, you will recieve the new education outreach 53 page booklet on water quality in Pennsylvania. This booklet was written by three professional geologists and will help you understand water quality in PA, describe the proper care for your wells, and much more. Go to the Survey – Get your Free Gift.
Recent Presentation in Wayne County, PA
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot.
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Wellness and Water 2013 WV Wesleyan College, Buckhannon,WV
Wellness and Water 2013
June 29 – 30, 3013 ~ WV Wesleyan College, Buckhannon,WV
Saturday Morning: Bringing concerned citizens and facts together
8:00 – 9:00 am ~ Registration ~ Continental Breakfast, Coffee & Tea available
9:00- 9:15 am ~ Welcome and Introductions
9:15 – 10:00 am ~ Plenary: Dr. Tom Darrah, Duke University
10:00 – 10:20 am ~ Q & A
For More Information
10:20 – 10:30 am ~ Break
10:30 – 11:30 am ~ Panelists:
- Marc Glass, Downstream Strategies
- Rob Goodwin, Coal River Mountain Watch
- Yuri Gorby, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY)
- Brian Oram, B.F. Environmental Consultants and the Carbon County
Groundwater Educators
Each panelist will have 10-15 minutes for an initial presentation of their work related to monitoring impacts of MTR and gas drilling. Q & A will follow entire panel presentations, until noon.
noon – 1pm ~ Lunch
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Saturday Afternoon: To whom does all this matter?
1 – 1:15 pm ~ Gathering time
Please be in your seats by 1:15 pm. Announcements may be made between 1 and 1:15 pm.
1:15 – 2:00 pm ~ Plenary: Leslie Fields, Sierra Club
2:00 – 2:15 pm ~ Q & A
2:15 – 3:15 pm ~ Affected Resident Panelists:
Coal mining affected:
- Nada White, Boone and Kanawha counties, WV
- Danny Cook, Boone County, WV
- Lorelei Scarbro, Raleigh County, WV
Gas drilling affected:
- Leann Kiner, Harrison County, WV
- Donna Herd, Doddridge County, WV
- Jeanne Moten, Washington County, PA
3:15 – 3:30 pm ~ Q & A
3:30 – 3:45 pm ~ Break and workshop set-up
3:45 – 5:15 pm ~ Workshops:
- Rob Goodwin, Coal River Mountain Watch ~ Mapping of slurry impoundments and coal mine sites
- Elisa Young ~ Problems of waste disposal and water extraction affecting the Ohio River
- Brian Oram, B.F. Environmental Consultants ~ “Working as a Community – We ALL Live Downstream” on the need for proper baseline testing and the most likely types of influence or adverse impacts associated with natural gas development
- New Visions Solar ~ Solar powered water filtration system and “homemade” solar power
5:30 pm ~ Dinner
Saturday Evening: Music & Socializing – Main Meeting Room, Student Center
7 pm – ??? ~ Featuring music by East Run (Bluegrass band)
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Sunday Morning: What can we do about the problems created by extreme fossil fuel extraction in our region?
8:00 – 9:00 am ~ Registration ~ Continental Breakfast, Coffee & Tea available
9:00 – 9:15 am ~ Welcome and Announcements
9:15 – 10:00 am ~ Plenary: Grant Smith, Civil Society Institute
10:00 – 10:15 am ~ Q & A
10:15 – 11:15 am ~ Solution Focused Panelists:
- Pam O’Brien, New Visions Solar, Solar power and solar powered water filtration devices
- Sam Malone, FracTracker: Exploring data, sharing perspectives, mapping impacts of the gas industry
- Aaron Sutch, Energy Program Manager for the Mountain Institute
- Laura Rigell, Swathmore College Divestment Campaign
Each panelist will have 10-15 minutes for an initial presentation of their work. Q & A will follow entire panel presentations, until 11:30 am.
11:30 – 11:40 am ~ Break
11:40 am – 12:30 pm ~ Roundtable Discussions (facilitated by Bill Price, Sierra Club)
12:30 – 12:45 pm ~ Wrap Up & Evaluations
12:45 – 1:45 pm ~ Lunch
For More Information
If you are in Pennsylvania, you can contribute to the Citizen Groundwater Database and help track change for FREE and if you would like to learn about our Natural Gas Related Information, please visit us at http://www.private-well-owner.org.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot.
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.