Well Owner Info

News Release: For Immediate Release

Date: Jan. 10, 2001 Contact: Mark Walker, Cooperative Extension State Water Specialist; (775) 784-1938, [email protected] Free information can benefit well owners

By: Candy Cook, Rural Public Relations Assistant; (775) 784-7070.

RENO—Homeowners who rely on backyard wells for their water supply are in greater danger of having contaminated water than other homeowners. Wells are not regulated by the government for drinking purposes despite their potential for contamination. Often when contamination does occur, homeowners are unaware. Water may smell, taste and look fine and still be dangerous to drink.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension specialists have published a series of free fact sheets aimed at helping well owners prevent, diagnose and treat water problems. The three fact sheets, “Drinking Water Quality in Nevada: Common Problems for the Well Owner,” “Matching Drinking Water Quality Problems to Treatment Methods,” and “Water Testing for Private Well Owners” cover the most important issues of well water and contamination.

The National Ground Water Association has estimated that there are 36,810 household wells in use in Nevada. Many of these wells suffer from some source of pollution. “Drinking Water Quality in Nevada: Common Problems for the Well Owner” covers various sources of pollution among Nevada wells. In addition, information on governmental drinking water standards is provided.

Private well owners often seek out a variety of water treatment devices to solve a number of common problems. “Matching Drinking Water Quality Problems to Treatment Methods” diagnoses many of the most common well water problems according to their symptoms and offers possible causes and treatment solutions.

Many well water problems are hard to diagnose and may even go undetected by homeowners because they do not affect the taste, smell or feel of the water. “Water Testing for Private Well Owners” offers information on having a professional test done on a well. The fact sheet advises when a water test should be done, who should administer it and how homeowners can insure the accuracy of their test.

The fact sheets, as well as other information regarding water quality in Nevada, are available online at www.unce.unr.edu/water or by calling Alice Good at (775) 784-7070.