Envirosphere lab manager Heather Levy, far left, and president Patrick Stewart, far right, show customers Victor Walsh and Johnathon Benedict how the colour changes in a water sample that tests positive for contaminants. Envirosphere presented Walsh, a Kingston resident, with a gift basket from Sainte-Familles Wines in Falmouth when he became their 5,000th customer since the lab opened in 2002. Benedict, a realtor with Royal LePage, also received a basket for being the first business customer to use Envirosphere’s services since the 5,000-customer milestone was reached.
“Your water could be crystal clear and you think it’s fine but the arsenic level could be above the guideline — or the uranium — and that’s not safe,” said Heather Levy, lab manager at the nationally accredited Envirosphere Consultants Limited in Windsor.
Levy, a biologist, recommends well owners test their drinking water for bacteria every six months, and test for chemicals or minerals every one or two years.
While some contaminants are primarily linked to such aesthetic issues as staining, uranium and arsenic can directly impact human health.
A Nova Scotia Environment (NSE) document entitled “The Drop on Water” confirms that arsenic is commonly found in well water throughout the province. Canadian drinking water quality guidelines say arsenic levels should not exceed .01 mg per litre.
“Exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water can cause nausea, diarrhea, and muscle pain. Over the long term, exposure to low levels of arsenic can cause certain types of cancer,” the NSE document reads.
A map enclosed in “The Drop on Water” shows there are several places within the province, including the Windsor and West Hants area, where the arsenic levels in well water are often found to be above the acceptable limit.
“We’ve had some people come in in the last couple of months and the levels of arsenic and uranium were high and it affected the sale of their house or one that they were buying,” said Levy.
Well owners, and prospective home buyers, should ask for the minimum health tests for such contaminants as bacteria, arsenic, uranium, lead and nitrates, Levy said
“If it’s an agricultural area, nitrates are important,” she added.
Levy recommends monitoring well water closely, and taking samples to a lab for testing if anything changes.
Even contaminants that do not impact human health can find a way to burden a homeowner.
“Iron and manganese can build up in your pipes and it can affect your staining on all of your faucets and fixtures,” said Levy. “And hardness, in particular, can cause some issues. It can cause some build up in your pipes.”
Levy said ensuring the area surrounding a well is clean, with no debris, brush piles or holes around it can minimize the risk of contamination.
Did you know?
— Chemical testing is the only way to detect traces of arsenic and uranium in drinking water. Neither contaminant alters the colour, taste or smell of water.
— Canadian drinking water quality guidelines state that arsenic levels should not exceed .01 mg per litre in well water, and uranium levels should not exceed .02 mg per litre.
— Uranium exposure in drinking water can cause kidney damage.
— Long-term exposure to low levels of arsenic has been linked to certain cancers.
Source: Nova Scotia Environment’s “The Drop on Water: Health Effects”
