Tis the month to test groundwater
By Loretta Sorensen, Journal correspondent | Posted: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
YANKTON, S.D. -- Farmers and private well owners in South Dakota are encouraged to contact their county Extension Service office during March for testing kits and information on how to evaluate their water.
The National Ground Water Association recommends well owners schedule a water well checkup each spring to ensure that the well operates properly and no contamination has occurred.
Russell Persyn, environmental quality engineer for Cooperative Extension Service at South Dakota State University, said testing for excessive nitrates, salinity, or for bacterial contamination is common in South Dakota.
"Last year the Department of Natural Resources toured around the state doing free nitrate testing to help the public evaluate whether or not they had a problem with their water source," Persyn said. "In the western part of the state we see more problems with salinity than anything else. It can be an issue with livestock more than with drinking water, but it can affect drinking water sources too."
When animal scientists look at nitrate and salinity levels in water sources for livestock, they take into consideration levels of these substances in the animal's feed source. The combination of the two is important in determining the acceptable overall level for the animals.
"Most livestock producers are pretty aware of the importance of monitoring those factors," Persyn said. "The Extension offices also have meters that can be used to measure water conductivity. That's one quick way to determine if there are problems with the water that should be tested further."
Bacterial contamination can also occur in private wells and stock dams. Coliform bacteria originate as organisms in soil or vegetation and in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals (fecal coli).
Coliform bacteria are simple to identify. Sources of bacterial pollution include run-off from woodlands, pastures and feedlots; septic tanks and sewage plants; and animals and wild fowl.
Domestic animals contribute heavily to the bacterial population. Many coliform bacteria enter streams by direct deposition of waste in the water and the run-off from areas with high concentrations of animals or humans.
"In order to test their water, people can call their county Extension Educator or contact the public health lab in Pierre and request a bottle they can use to send a water sample to the lab," Persyn said. "They can also complete a form that requests testing for other problems such as corrosion or dietary problems."
Persyn noted owners of private wells should be aware they are responsible for monitoring their well's quality. The testing is only done on a voluntary basis.
"Public water sources, such as cities, have to meet certain standards," Persyn said. "But private well owners should be diligent in checking their own water."
More info?
Additional information about water quality and resources for South Dakota residents is available at www.ngwa.org, http://www.state.sd.us/doh/Lab/ and http://anserv.sdstate.edu/.
The National Ground Water Association recommends well owners schedule a water well checkup each spring to ensure that the well operates properly and no contamination has occurred.
Russell Persyn, environmental quality engineer for Cooperative Extension Service at South Dakota State University, said testing for excessive nitrates, salinity, or for bacterial contamination is common in South Dakota.
"Last year the Department of Natural Resources toured around the state doing free nitrate testing to help the public evaluate whether or not they had a problem with their water source," Persyn said. "In the western part of the state we see more problems with salinity than anything else. It can be an issue with livestock more than with drinking water, but it can affect drinking water sources too."
When animal scientists look at nitrate and salinity levels in water sources for livestock, they take into consideration levels of these substances in the animal's feed source. The combination of the two is important in determining the acceptable overall level for the animals.
"Most livestock producers are pretty aware of the importance of monitoring those factors," Persyn said. "The Extension offices also have meters that can be used to measure water conductivity. That's one quick way to determine if there are problems with the water that should be tested further."
Bacterial contamination can also occur in private wells and stock dams. Coliform bacteria originate as organisms in soil or vegetation and in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals (fecal coli).
Coliform bacteria are simple to identify. Sources of bacterial pollution include run-off from woodlands, pastures and feedlots; septic tanks and sewage plants; and animals and wild fowl.
Domestic animals contribute heavily to the bacterial population. Many coliform bacteria enter streams by direct deposition of waste in the water and the run-off from areas with high concentrations of animals or humans.
"In order to test their water, people can call their county Extension Educator or contact the public health lab in Pierre and request a bottle they can use to send a water sample to the lab," Persyn said. "They can also complete a form that requests testing for other problems such as corrosion or dietary problems."
Persyn noted owners of private wells should be aware they are responsible for monitoring their well's quality. The testing is only done on a voluntary basis.
"Public water sources, such as cities, have to meet certain standards," Persyn said. "But private well owners should be diligent in checking their own water."
More info?
Additional information about water quality and resources for South Dakota residents is available at www.ngwa.org, http://www.state.sd.us/doh/Lab/ and http://anserv.sdstate.edu/.
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Cliff Treyens wrote on Mar 20, 2007 8:01 AM: