One of the most important aspects of responsible pesticide use is ensuring that chemicals do not permeate the ground and contaminate drinking water. The burden often falls on farmers, private well users and government agencies to continually test drinking water to ensure that it is safe for the public or household.
There are a number of ways to test a well to keep an eye on pesticide levels and avoid serious poisoning or other issues that may arise, whether you are the one using the pesticides or own a nearby private well.
Look for the warning signs
Just because pesticides are used nearby does not mean that a well is in danger. Many modern wells have safeguards to prevent topical chemicals from easily contaminating the well. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture listed some of the most common factors that could lead to pesticides being found in a well. Being shallower than 50 feet in depth, older than 30 years in age, damaged, or near sandy soil are among the most common risk factors for contamination. Wells that are near areas that use pesticides or where pesticides are stored are also particularly susceptible to contamination.
Follow best practice while having your well tested
If you suspect that your well or a nearby well has a pesticide issue, often the smartest thing to do is to adopt a regular testing schedule. It is usually recommended that a private well owner test his or her well once a year – however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advised people to test more often if a resident is pregnant, people are unexpectedly sick, a neighbor find a pesticide in their well or a repair is made. Others argue that most people only need to test for pesticides every five years, however if you live near a farm or other area where pesticides are likely used annual testing is preferable.
Because it is the well owner's responsibility to test his or her own well, many communities have government facilities set up to test samples from private citizens. In the U.S., there are specific state-certified laboratories that individuals can bring their water to for tests to be conducted – some private and other government-run. Individual labs will have advice on how to collect, store and send the sample out for optimal results.
Tests range in price, with the most basic costing around $10 and testing for more than 3 parts per billion atrazine (an herbicide), and others costing hundreds and certifying the safety of drinking water. Pesticide testing is more expensive than testing well water for many other particulates and chemicals.
Beware nitrates
Nitrates are particularly dangerous to infants and pregnant women. Unlike other contaminates, they will not be removed through boiling and can often accompany pesticides. Because nitrates in groundwater or soil can be a side effect of a farm's use of fertilizer, there may also be pesticides in the water. If a test comes back positive for either nitrates or pesticides, people may want to consider testing for both.
Know the side effects of pesticides
Pesticides are so successful at eliminating insects and other pests because of they are toxic to these creatures, which also makes them dangerous for human consumption. A report from the Natural Resources Management and Environment Department explained that there are so many pesticides in use throughout the world and across different methods of farming, that it is impossible to know exactly how pesticides in general could affect a water supply.
Depending on type, concentration, additives, degradates and other factors it is difficult to know what level of pesticide in the water is healthy. The WHO published a comprehensive list of what are safe levels for drinking water for a number of chemicals including pesticides.
When owning a private well it is important to test the water for a number of chemical and particulates, especially pesticides to ensure that it is safe to use.
