Drinking Water

Arsenic occurs in groundwater in Pennsylvania from both natural sources and man's activities. It is present naturally in certain rock types that are especially common in the western United States but also occur sporadically in parts of Pennsylvania.

The presence of potentially harmful, disease-causing (pathogenic) bacteria and other microorganisms is a concern when considering the safety of drinking water. Consuming water contaminated with pathogens can cause intestinal infections such as typhoid, dysentery, cholera, and hepatitis, among other diseases. Federal law requires public water utilities to provide biologically safe water. However, the safety of privately owned, individual water supplies such as wells, springs, and cisterns is the sole responsibility of the owner.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates the allowable level of impurities in public water supplies, but homeowners that rely on private water systems, such as wells, springs, and cisterns, are solely responsible for the care and maintenance of their water supplies and for the quality of their water. Those with private water supplies can use the EPA drinking water standards as guidelines when assessing their water quality. When levels of selected impurities in household water exceed EPA guidelines, they may affect human health or they may be a nuisance, possibly affecting the taste, smell, or appearance of the water.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element present in food, soil, rocks, air and water. The presence of arsenic in groundwater is largely the result of minerals dissolving naturally from weathered rocks and soils over time. Water that is pumped from wells in that aquifer may contain detectable amounts of this element.

Guía Para Propietarios de Pozos

NGWA Well Owners Guide

This handout provides instructions for disinfecting your water system, which includes both the well that has a submersible pump and the associated water distribution system. These instructions can be used for a single family home or businesses such as resorts and campgrounds. Disinfection can eliminate or reduce harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that may be found in your drinking water.

What is a bladder pressure tank? It is a type of tank containing pressurized air and water separated by a membrane (bladder) and pre-charged with air at the factory. On average, a bladder pressure tank lasts 5–7 years. Please refer to Pressure Relief Valves on Pressure Tanks (331-429), a one-page illustrated tech tip. It explains design requirements, how pressure relief valves protect pressure tanks, and how to ensure pressure relief valves are approved and installed properly.

Heavy metals such as lead, copper, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury may be present in water supplies for a variety of reasons. Lead and copper most commonly leach into water supplies through corrosion of household plumbing fixtures, pipes, fittings, and solder, and cadmium contamination may occur as a result of impurities in the zinc of galvanized pipes or fittings. Water supplies that are corrosive are more likely to leach lead, copper, and possibly cadmium from pipes and fittings, if these metals are present in plumbing systems. Some factors that can indicate corrosive water include low pH, high temperature, low total dissolved solids content, and high amounts of dissolved oxygen or carbon dioxide.

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ions. These ions, among others, are naturally dissolved into groundwater as it comes in contact with soluble limestone and other rocks and minerals. While consuming hard water does not present a health risk, it may cause aesthetic or nuisance problems such as bitter taste or mineral deposits (scale) on dishes, utensils, and plumbing fixtures. Hard water can also reduce the efficiency and life span of water heaters.