Private water systems in Georgia Mountains and North Carolina mountains

Private water systems in Western North Carolina and North Georgia Mountains

Owners of private water supplies are not required to test their drinking water for purity, but should do so periodically to make sure the water is safe. testing for coli form bacteria and some of the inorganic chemicals is available through local county health departments for a treasonable cost.

there are also private labs that can run test for microbiological or chemical contamination.

Inorganic chemical test are run to determine if chemicals such as lead, iron, manganese, or nitrates are present. The PH, which gives an indication of the corrosion potential, is usually determined as part of the inorganic chemical test. Much of the well and spring water in the mountains tends to have a low PH, which can lead to corrosion in copper pipes joined with lead solder and in metal fixtures. This in turn can cause lead and copper to be present in the drinking water.

Iron and manganese are present in many drilled wells in western North Carolina and the north Georgia mountains. While these are usually not considered a health hazard, they are "nuisance" chemicals which can stain clothes and fixtures and may cause taste and odor problems.

If surface water enters a well or spring, it can introduce microorganisms such as protozoan's, bacteria and viruses into the water supply. These can cause illness --sometimes severe-- and can be especially dangerous to very young or elderly individuals or to those with immune system disorders from illness or medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

Organic (man-made) chemicals can be present in wells and may be caused by gasoline from nearby leaking underground storage tanks, chemical spills, or herbicide and pesticide use. Testing for these chemicals is more costly and is not done routinely by local county health departments.

If there is a reason to suspect organic chemical contamination of a water supply, such as chemical odor, a sheen on water surfaces, nearby ground water contamination, or heavy herbicide/pesticide use nearby, environmental health specialist from the local county health department should be contacted for advice or assistance.

I would like to thank Phillip Gibson Director of Research and Community Outreach Warren Wilson College for allowing me to reproduce this booklet. Some information on this page may be outdated as new ordnances have been past in many municipalities. Please contact your local agencies for updated ordnances. a new information Cd is being produced at this time. Check back here for an announcement on when and how to receive one once available. Or contact:

Phillip Gibson
Director of Research and Community Outreach
Warren Wilson College
PO Box 9000
Asheville, NC 28815-9000
828-771-3781
pgibson@warren-wilson.edu

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