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Frequently Asked Questions - Drinking Water
How safe is my drinking water?
Every day, more than six million Bay state residences that turn on the tap and take a drink of water from a public water supply. The public water supplies in Massachusetts are among the best in the country, and they are subject to the most stringent government standards in the world. To protect your health, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) maintain exacting standards. The Mass DEP requires your local water supplier to perform ongoing tests for the presence of bacteria, lead and other heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides, and industrial solvents. If testing reveals an exceedance of a federal standard, the water supplier is required to notify customers through local news media. If bacteria or chemicals are found in levels that pose a threat to your health, the water supply is treated to remove the contaminants or taken out of service if the problem can’t be solved immediately.
What should I have my water tested for?
Homeowners should contact their local board of health for a recommendation of what to have their water tested for. EPA recommends that private wells be tested for coliforms and nitrate/nitrite at a minimum.
There are many other tests offered by Pace such as lead. Please visit our website for all testing offered by Pace.How do I pay for testing Drinking Water samples?
Make your check or money order payable to Pace Labs
Can I use any container to collect my water?
No. You must use a sample bottle that is appropriate for the testing that will be done on your water sample because preservatives and the volume of sample required are specific to the test.
How do I order bottles for collecting my water sample?
You can order bottles online here.
How do I collect my water sample?
Instructions will be with the bottle order.
Does my water sample need to be refrigerated after I collect it?
If you received an ice pack with your sample bottle, please ensure that the ice pack is frozen prior to returning your water sample to the Laboratory. If you did not receive ice packs, you can use regular ice cubes. Some tests require thermal preservation upon sample collection. Do not freeze the sample prior to submission. Samples received frozen are not acceptable for testing.
Do I need a form – chain of custody?
Yes, the laboratory will provide a chain of custody to record specifics.
Do I need to indicate the date and time my sample was collected?
YES. You must indicate the collection date and time, indicate am or pm for your water sample on the Request for Water Analysis form. Testing methods have an EPA maximum allowable holding time from the time your water sample was collected until the time of testing. Without the collection date and time, it is not possible to determine if your water sample can be tested within the holding time.
What is holding time? How long is my sample good for?
Testing methods have an EPA maximum allowable holding time from the time your water sample was collected until the time of testing. Results from samples analyzed past holding time may be less accurate.
When will I receive results?
You can expect test results for your water sample in 10 business days after your sample is received at the Laboratory. For fastest reporting, enter your email address on chain of custody form to get your test results.
Where should I bring my samples?
You can drop off your samples at Pace Labs at 39 Spruce Street, building 1, side entrance on Bond Street, East Longmeadow, MA from 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Do I need to bring anything else but my sample?
Your check or money order, or credit card information along with a photo ID. We cannot process samples until payment has been made.
Do I have to bring my water sample to the lab in person?
No, you can send them Fed Ex but please send in a cooler with a chain of custody and plenty of ice to keep them cold. They would have to be received the next day for temperature reasons. Please refrigerate samples until ready to ship. Wrap each glass container with bubble wrap. Do not over pack cooler as samples could break.
Interpreting Your Data
COLIFORMS/ECOLI
Any coliforms presence in drinking water is cause for action. Groundwater in a properly constructed well or spring should be free of coliforms bacteria. If coliforms are found in a well or spring, it generally means that surface water has somehow leaked into the water. This could happen if rain runoff or snow melt makes its way into the well or spring through cracks in ledge outcroppings, gravelly soil, or sandy soil. It could also be due to poor construction or cracks in the well or spring casing. Coliforms bacteria may enter the water supply if rain or snow runoff pools around the well or spring casing, if the well or spring cover is not airtight, or if the pipe leading to the house is not properly inserted and welded or grouted into the well or spring. In addition, insects, snakes, mice or other creatures getting into the well or spring can cause contamination. If coliforms are present, Pace will continue the test and check for Ecoli.
The drinking water guidelines state drinking water should not contain more than 10 total coliforms bacteria per 100 mL of water.
Your test will results will either be A=Coliforms bacteria is absent or P=Coliforms bacteria is Present.
NITRATE
Nitrate in elevated levels is linked with two known health problems. Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome” is caused by an oxygen deficiency in the blood. This causes bluish skin tone in infants. In adults, nitrates can form chemicals called nitrosamines that have been linked to cancer. These may pose long-term health risks. Elevated nitrate levels in well water may also indicate other problems such as contamination from sources such as septic systems or fertilizers.
The maximum level for nitrate in water is 10.0 mg/L. However, when levels exceed 5 mg/L, the source of nitrate should be investigated.
PH
PH is a measure of acidity. Acidic water, along with low hardness (soft water), tends to be corrosive to your water pipes, potentially dissolving lead and copper. Basic water itself is not a problem, but may have a bitter taste. Alkalinity, which is a separate measurement, is your water’s capacity against drastic pH changes.
The scale is 0 – 14
0 to 5 is acidic (not desirable)
5.5 to 8.0 is average.
8.5 to 14 is basic (or alkaline)
SODIUM
Sodium is a necessary dietary element and occurs naturally in all water, but more so in areas where there is sea water, salt from septic systems and road de-icing salt may elevate levels in wells and indicate other water problems. Sodium has no set health hazard level, but those individuals on a low sodium diet should take into account the amount of sodium in their drinking water when determining overall sodium intake. High levels of sodium in drinking water may cause an unpleasant taste. For people with sodium restricted diets it may cause health problems by contributing to high blood pressure.
32 mg/L is considered average. Levels above 50 mg/L may affect performance. 250 mg/L is the maximum level for sodium in all drinking water.
IRON
Iron becomes a nuisance element. It will show its presence as rust stains on water fixtures and if chlorine bleach is used in the laundry, rust spots will appear on clothes. If this happens, use non-chlorine bleach with your clothes. Common iron removal methods include ion exchange and oxidation filtration.
Average Iron level is 0.2 mg/L. The maximum acceptable level is 0.3 mg/L. Higher levels produce a bad odor and taste.
MANGANESE
Manganese does not cause health problems at levels typically found in drinking water and it is an essential element for human metabolism. However, manganese can discolor water; stain clothing, sinks, toilets and bathtubs; and can cause undesirable tastes in drinking water.
The maximum level for manganese in water is 0.05
CHLORIDE
Chlorides do not cause health problems, but high chloride levels in drinking water may be a sign of other problems. Consuming too much chloride (Cl) has a detrimental effect on metabolism. The EPA standard has been set at the level at which the average person notices an unpleasant salty taste. Chloride contamination is associated with infiltration of road salt leaching into water supplies or backwash from a water softener and/or sea water.
14 mg/L is considered normal for well water. The maximum level for chlorides in well water is 250 mg/L
LEAD
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious health problems, especially for infants, children, and pregnant women. Nervous system, kidney, and red blood cell problems may be effects of exposure to high lead levels. In young children, lead may have harmful effects on nervous system and brain development. Lead has been used in making solder, fittings and fixtures found in household plumbing.
The maximum level for lead in water is 0.015 mg/L
HARDNESS
The contributors to hardness are calcium and magnesium. The presence of these elements in general is not a health hazard, but hardness elements tend to plate out on water pipes and heating coils in hot water tanks, and reduce the effectiveness of detergents. Hard water causes stains, leaves residues, or causes other physical problems in water-handling equipment.
Low (Soft) 0 – 75 mg/L
Moderate 76 – 150
Hard 151 – 250
Very Hard 251 +
Concentrations on the order of 1 part per million are considered optimum.
FLOURIDE
Fluorides in water can be detrimental or beneficial depending upon the concentration. If the water contains over 1.5 parts per million of fluorides, use of this water during the period of tooth formation causes a condition known as “endemic dental fluorosis”, a dark brown stain on the teeth. It is therefore necessary to remove fluorides present in such high concentrations. Recent work has shown that low concentrations of fluoride taken during tooth formation can minimize tooth decay.
Concentrations on the order of 1 part per million are considered optimum.
ARSENIC
Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks, soil, air, water, plants and animals. It can enter well water through the ground or as a run off to surface water sources. Arsenic can be further released into well water through natural activities such as erosion of rocks and forest fires, or through human actions. Approximately 90 percent of industrial arsenic in the U.S. is currently used as a wood preservative, but arsenic is also used in paints, dyes, metals, drugs, soaps and semi-conductors. High arsenic levels can also come from certain fertilizers and animal feeding operations. Industry practices such as copper smelting, mining and coal burning also contribute to arsenic in our environment.
Human exposure to arsenic can cause both short and long term health effects. Short or acute effects can occur within hours or days of exposure. Long or chronic effects occur over many years. Long term exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidneys, nasal passages, liver and prostate. Short term exposure to high doses of arsenic can cause other adverse health effects,Potential links between arsenic and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other cancers are being studied, but the evidence to date is not conclusive.
The maximum level for arsenic in water is 0.010 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
ODOR
Well water will sometimes develop an odor in the water, which is evidence of a problem.
The maximum level for odor in well water is 3 O.U.
Your test results will either be ND = Not Detected or D = Detected
TURBIDITY
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness (e.g., whether disease-causing organisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. They may also cause plugged piping or fouled water treatment equipment.
Turbidity levels should be less than 5 NTU’s (turbidity units) for clear, acceptable water.
AMMONIA
Ammonia is a colorless, pungent gaseous compound of hydrogen and nitrogen that is highly soluble in water. It is a biologically active compound found in most waters as a normal biological degradation product of nitrogenous organic matter (protein). It also may find its way to ground and surface waters through discharge of industrial process wastes containing ammonia and fertilizers. Ammonia has been used in municipal treatment systems for over 70 years to prolong the effectiveness of disinfection chlorine added to drinking water. The addition of ammonia enhances the formation of chloramines (which may create objectionable tastes), and it reduces the formation of chlorination by products which may be carcinogenic.
There is no EPA mandated Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for ammonia.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
No (VOCs) should be detected in well water, PERIOD. The presence of VOCs may be indicative of a well contaminated by petroleum products, industrial solvents or chemical byproducts. The presence of these compounds is potentially a health risk which can cause long-term adverse health effects.
VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. They are a group of commonly used chemicals (numbered in the thousands) that evaporate, or volatilize, when exposed to air. Since they dissolve many other substances, VOC’s are widely used as cleaning and liquefying agents in fuels, degreasers, solvents, polishes, cosmetics, drugs, and dry cleaning solutions. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.
VOC’s are found at airports and service stations; machine, printing and paint shops; electronics and chemical plants; dry cleaning establishments; pesticides, building materials, furnishings and in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products.
When VOC’s are spilled or dumped, a portion will evaporate, but some usually soaks into the ground. In soil, the VOC’s can be carried deeper with percolating rainwater or melting snow. If they reach the water table, they can persist for years because the cool, dark, low-bacteria environment does not promote decomposition. If the VOC’s in the groundwater migrate to nearby wells, they can end up in your drinking water.
VOC contamination in your well water is a very serious heath concern.
PFAS – Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.
PFAS can be found in:
- Food packaged in PFAS-containing materials, processed with equipment that used PFAS, or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water.
- Commercial household products, including stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products (e.g., Teflon), polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products, and fire-fighting foams (a major source of groundwater contamination at airports and military bases where firefighting training occurs).
- Workplace, including production facilities or industries (e.g., chrome plating, electronics manufacturing or oil recovery) that use PFAS.
- Drinking water, typically localized and associated with a specific facility (e.g., manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, firefighter training facility).
- Living organisms, including fish, animals and humans, where PFAS have the ability to build up and persist over time.
Why are PFAS important?
PFAS are found in a wide range of consumer products that people use daily such as cookware, pizza boxes and stain repellants. Most people have been exposed to PFAS. PFAS can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods of time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans. The most-studied PFAS chemicals are PFOA and PFOS. Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals. Both chemicals have caused tumors in animals. The most consistent findings are increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations, with more limited findings related to:
- low infant birth weights
- effects on the immune system
- cancer (for PFOA)
- thyroid hormone disruption (for PFOS)
How are people exposed to PFAS?
There are a variety of ways that people can be exposed to these chemicals and at different levels of exposure. For example, people can be exposed to low levels of PFAS through food, which can become contaminated through:
- Contaminated soil and water used to grow the food
- Food packaging containing PFAS
- Equipment that used PFAS during food processing
People can also be exposed to PFAS chemicals if they are released during normal use, biodegradation, or disposal of consumer products that contain PFAS. People may be exposed to PFAS used in commercially-treated products to make them stain- and water-repellent or nonstick. These goods include carpets, leather and apparel, textiles, paper and packaging materials, and non-stick cookware.
Drinking water can be a source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies. Such contamination is typically localized and associated with a specific facility, for example, an industrial facility where PFAS were produced or used to manufacture other products, or an oil refinery, airfield or other location at which PFAS were used for firefighting.
PFOA, PFOS, and GenX have been found in a number of drinking water systems due to localized contamination. You can view more information about exposures to PFAS through drinking water on our Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS page.
EPA has established the health advisory levels at 70 parts per trillion.
State of MA Board of Health Phone Numbers
If you have further questions, please call your local board of health. The laboratory does not have health officials to go over your results.
Local Board of Health phone numbers and addresses
Longmeadow Board of Heath
10 Williams Street
Longmeadow, MA
Phone: 413-565-4140
East Longmeadow Town Hall
60 Center Square
East Longmeadow, MA
Phone: 413-525-5400
City of Springfield – Health and Human Services
1145 Main Street #208
Springfield, MA
Phone: 413-787-6740
Hampden Board of Health
625 Main Street
Hampden, MA
Phone: 413-566-2151 x 102
Wilbraham Board of Health
240 Springfield Street
Wilbraham, MA
Phone: 413-596-2800
For more information, please use www.mass.gov/drinking-water-program
Analysis Definitions
Total Coliform Bacteria – Indicator organism used to assess sanitary quality of water. Result must be 0 or absent.
Alkalinity – Acid-neutralizing capability of water.
Ammonia – A gas that is an indication of organic waste.
Arsenic – Naturally occurring heavy metal found in some well waters.
Calcium – Naturally occurring mineral which is the primary component of hardness. Used in some road salts.
Chloride – A component of salt. High concentrations may taste salty and may cause corrosion of metals.
Chlorine – A disinfectant that may affect taste and/or odor.
Color – Color is considered an aesthetic problem and can be used to confirm problems such as high iron and/or manganese.
Conductivity – The ability of water to carry an electrical current. Directly proportional to amount of total dissolved solids.
Copper – Present in most home plumbing systems. Blue/green stains in sinks and tubs is a prime indicator of copper corrosion, usually the result of low pH.
Hardness – Soft 0-60 mg/L; Moderate 61-120 mg/L; Hard 121-180 mg/L; Very hard >181 mg/L. To convert mg/L to grains per gallon, divide by 17.1.
Iron – Naturally occurring element in well waters. May cause brown stains, discolored water, and bad taste.
Lead – Found in some plumbing fixtures, and older homes that may have used lead solder.
Magnesium – Naturally occurring mineral that contributes to total hardness.
Manganese – Naturally occurring element in well waters. May cause stains, bad taste and odor.
Nitrate – May originate from failed septic systems, agricultural run-off, organic decay, and excessive use of lawn fertilizers.
Nitrite – An intermediate form of nitrate that is part of the naturally occurring Nitrogen Cycle.
Odor – The intensity of odor is reported in a threshold odor number, with zero indicating that no odor is present.
pH – Acid/Base determination. Neutral is 7.0; Acidic is <7.0, Basic is >7.0.
Potassium – An abundant element generally found in water systems.
Sediment – A visual determination of the presence or absence of sediment in water.
Sodium – Found in most waters; component of salt. High levels may indicate road salt intrusion.
Sulfate – Widely distributed in nature and usually found in ground water.
Turbidity – The clarity or cloudiness of water.