WATER

Bacterial contamination of water supplies can have serious health consequences. In spite of strict EPA regulations governing the bacterial quality of water supplies, there is still some water systems around the state that fail to meet these regulations. The contamination of private water supplies is also a common problem in New Mexico as well as around the nation. Coliform bacteria are excreted from the intestinal tracts of some warm-blooded animals. They are generally harmless, but serve as an indicator that other more dangerous organisms may be present. Water contaminated with coliform bacteria often contains pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria and ingesting it can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. The Environmental Protection Agency has adopted total coliform content as the standard used to gauge water quality. Laboratory tests do not differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, any water supply contaminated with coliform bacteria is considered unsafe for consumption. A laboratory analysis of water from a water supply is a very valuable tool in the evaluation of water supplies. A single water test is not enough to guarantee that a well is safe to drink from. A sample that indicates no bacterial growth only indicates that the water was safe at the time of sampling. Intervening events (heavy rainfall, a failed sewage system contamination through back siphonage, a chemical spill, broken water line...etc.) may have rendered the water supply to change. Water quality is also dependent on other factors, such as proper well construction and location, groundwater table, soil formation and other geological and mechanical factors. It is recommended that a water analysis be performed whenever repairs or alterations are made to the water supply system or when possible contamination of the well is suspected. Microbiological testing of water samples is available at SLD for a fee of $28.00 per sample. Testing of water samples is performed Monday through Thursday. Samples should arrive at the laboratory by 4:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays to insure testing within the 24 hour period. Sterile polypropylene water sample bottles are available from the Scientific Lab. Division 700 Camino de Salud N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico. Only containers prepared by the SLD Media Prep unit will be accepted for testing. Instructions for collecting water samples are as follows: > > > The New Mexico Regulations that govern water supplies states that any public water system containing the presence of coliforms is not in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Standards. Systems with the presence of fecal coliforms are considered an immediate danger and water should be boiled for three minutes or more before consuming. Water samples containing noncoliform bacteria are considered invalid samples, since the presence of excessive bacteria may inhibit the growth of coliforms. Although, these circumstances may indicate a need to disinfect the water supply, a commonly found problem is that a kitchen faucet with a swivel joint may have been used. It is recommended that another water sample be taken from a different tap within the house or system. If the results remain the same, then that is a good indication that the problem may be a contaminated water supply. If it is determined that coliforms are absent, please remember that this is an indication of the safety of your water at the time that this sample was collected. It does not guarantee that your water will remain that way. The water should be retested following any repairs or maintenance to the lines. Treating a coliform contamination is relatively simple and inexpensive. The most common method known **is shock chlorination.** Chlorine is a universal disinfection agent used in water supplies. Its availability is found in many forms, the two most commonly used are calcium hypochlorite (dry chlorine) and sodium hypochlorite (household bleach). Dry chlorine contains about 65% calcium hypochlorite, while household bleach contains about 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.
 * WATER **
 * General Information about Water Testing : **
 * Health Risks from Contaminated Wells **
 * Water Sample Analysis **
 * Water Sampling Procedures: **
 * 1)  Choose a clean non-leaking tap without aerators, strainers or attachments. Water samples should not be collected from outside hydrants, leaky faucets, or faucets with aerators or faucet filters still attached. These circumstances may result in a false positive test result when in fact the water is safe.
 * 1)  Flush cold water tap 3 to 5 minutes before collecting sample. Carefully remove the cap and fill bottle to the shoulder line without touching the lip of the bottle to tap rim. DO NOT RINSE OUT BOTTLE. Replace cap and secure tightly.
 * 1)  Identify sample and fill out a sample form (SLD#521--Microbiological Water Report) for each sample to be submitted for testing. Complete all information requested on the form.
 * Treatment for a Contaminated Water Supply: **