In announcing the results last week of the first phase of Dutchess County’s well-testing program, officials sounded a positive note in regard to the health of the county’s aquifers.
The first step of the planned two-phase program tested 125 wells at private, single-family homes throughout the county. Untreated well-water underwent bacteriological testing, as well as analysis for inorganic chemicals, such as heavy metals and organic chemicals, including those associated with industrial and petroleum products.
Dutchess County Commissioner of Health Dr. Michael Caldwell said the testing added to the county’s existing well-testing data of more than 500 publicly regulated wells.
“Broadly speaking, if you add in the private well test results with all the public water, we have a really good sense on a broad scale that the aquifers are in really good shape,” said Caldwell.
Testing was conducted by Hyde Park’s Smith Laboratory on a random basis from a database of more than 3,300 applications for the free test. Although testing was done countywide, a greater concentration of tests was conducted in areas with a large number of private wells. Seventeen tests were conducted in the Town of East Fishkill, 11 in the Town of LaGrange and 10 in the Town of Hyde Park.
There are between 30,000 and 40,000 private wells in the county.
The most common substance found in the testing was increased sodium levels. Sixty-two residences had a sodium level that equaled or exceeded the state guidelines for those on a severely restricted sodium diet. Caldwell said the most common source of sodium in well water was runoff from road salt. There is no maximum contaminant level standard for sodium.
Some bacteria a concern
Total coliform bacteria were found in 42 tests. The county report said that although the bacteria generally have no adverse health effects on adults, it can often be an indicator of other organisms that can cause gastrointestinal illness. The presence of total coliform can often be attributed to poor constructed or maintained wells.
“There needs to be more recognition by the community that the way their wells are constructed is important, and they have to understand where they might be improved.” said Caldwell.
Eleven samples included principle organic compounds (POCs), although none tested above the maximum level set by the New York State Drinking Water Standards. POCs are manufactured chemicals that are often found in petroleum products. POCs were detected in 11 samples, although only two of these were above the laboratory’s detection limit of 0.5. parts per billion. Those two samples contained the gasoline additive MTBE. These samples were reported in the Towns of Dover and LaGrange.
Caldwell said that homeowners needed to be aware of the importance of well-testing.
“(The frequency of testing) depends on a number of factors, including where the well is situated in relation to the septic system, how old the well is, and the previous laboratory results. Our general recommendation is to test once a year for bacteria and one comprehensive test for organic compounds. Depending on the results, homeowners can reach out to the Department of Health for ideas about how often they want to repeat these tests and what else they may to do. Each individual homeowner needs to tailor testing to their own environmental conditions.”
The second phase of the project will begin next month, with the testing expected to be conducted in the fall. Caldwell said the results from the next round of testing would provide direction into future county programs in this area.
“We’re starting to move forward with the second phase and I don’t know beyond that, but I think we’re going to learn more with this subsequent phase and we’re going to make some decisions after that as to if we continue at the same pace. My sense is there will be a continuing commitment to doing this at some level,” he said.
For complete testing results, go to www.co.dutchess.ny.us.