MT 43 News Articles View a Published Article

Understanding Well Water Quality in Broadwater County

Author: Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent

Understanding Well Water Quality in Broadwater County

Allison Kosto

MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent

Water is a precious resource that we often take for granted. However, wars have started over water and there are areas of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, that do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. We are fortunate in the United States to have access to such a valuable commodity. However, just because you have easy access to water, it should not be assumed that the water is safe or high quality. We can still have water quality issues in our country, even right here in Broadwater County. If you are connected to a public water supply, there are standards in place to ensure safe drinking water. However, if you have a private well, then it is your responsibility to protect your water quality and the only way to know is through testing. The MSU Extension Well Educated program is a resource to help with testing and learning about what’s in your water.

MSU Extension in Broadwater County has partnered with the Well Educated program to offer reduced-cost comprehensive well testing paired with education on interpreting the results and improving water quality. Here is how the program works:

1. Pick up a well testing kit at the Extension Office located at 416 Broadway in Townsend between April 20th and May 1st. There are 40 kits available, which will be available on a first come first serve basis.

2. Return the kit with the water sample to the Extension Office on Tuesday, May 5th, between 7:00 am and 12:30 pm. The cost due at this time is $125 (a savings of more than $265 for a comparable test from a private lab). Collecting the sample at home typically takes just a few minutes.

3. Receive your results and interpretations at an informational community workshop on Thursday, May 28th at 6:00 pm in Townsend. All screening results are confidential. If you’re unable to attend the workshop, we will make arrangements to get the results to you.

There are many reasons why well testing is important. There are a variety of common contaminants found above health thresholds, including arsenic, lead, copper, uranium, nitrate and bacteria. Southern Broadwater County is known for high arsenic and uranium levels and high nitrates and bacteria have been found throughout the county. Some containments can pose significant health risks, especially with long-term exposure. These health risks are especially amplified for young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Regular testing is one of the simplest ways to protect your family’s health and better understand your water system.

One common contaminant is nitrate. High levels can cause baby blue syndrome, and some evidence shows an increased risk of cancer. Nitrate can come from human waste, animal waste or fertilizer. Nitrate breaks down quickly and moves easily in water. Increases in nitrate levels over time may suggest that human activity is influencing the water supply.

Bacteria are found everywhere, but certain bacteria are red flags. Well tests specifically look for coliform and E. coli. If these bacteria are present, it’s often an indication that water is being influenced by surface activities, or the well may not be correctly sealed. Shallow wells are more likely to have contamination, but any well can have issues if not protected.

Arsenic is naturally occurring in the Earth’s crust. When groundwater flows through mineral deposits high in arsenic, the minerals can break down and release arsenic into the water. This is more common in areas with geothermal features like hot springs and mined ores like copper, gold and zinc. High arsenic levels have been found in the county. It is particularly common in aquifers connected to the Madison River.

Many people are concerned about “hard water” deposits on faucets, pipes and other fixtures. Hard water deposits are made of calcium and magnesium. Neither of these elements pose a health risk. Soaking fixtures in vinegar will remove hard water deposits. Other common concerns in agricultural areas are pesticides and fertilizers. Due to the nature of pesticides, it is unlikely that they would contaminate groundwater. Testing for pesticides is extremely expensive and it is helpful to know what you are looking for before testing. Nitrates from fertilizer is a more common issue.

Regular testing helps provide peace of mind that you have a safe, quality water source for your family. Even outside of this particular program, well testing kits are available at the Extension Office throughout the year. The cost of the test for the traditional program varieties depending on the type. Contact us at 406-266-9242 or broadwater@montana.edu with any questions about well and water testing.