Arsenic is a toxic element. Drinking inorganic arsenic over many years (chronic

exposure) increases the risk of skin, bladder, kidney, liver, and lung cancer. It has also

been found to have possible links to blood vessel damage, heart problems, diabetes

and skin changes.

To obtain a well permit in Union County, you first must submit a completed application, site plan and fee. The well permit application can be found on the Union County Environmental Health web page. Instructions are included in the application packet.

Arsenic usually cannot be seen, smelled or tasted in drinking water. Testing your water is the only way to know if it is present. Union County Environmental Health offers well water testing for a variety of contaminants. The results of your water sample will indicate the level of arsenic in the water.

Arsenic occurs naturally in the earth's crust. When rocks weather, minerals break down.  If arsenic is present in these rocks, it can be released into the groundwater. Areas of  North Carolina's piedmont, including Union County, that are underlain by  metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks, commonly referred to as the “Carolina  Slate Belt” have a greater number of drinking water wells with arsenic than other  regions. In Union County, the slate belt area covers about two-thirds of the county.  However, low levels of arsenic are found in groundwater throughout North Carolina.

Basically, a well is a hole drilled into the ground to access water contained in an aquifer. Aquifers are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone, or fractured rock, like slate. Water can move through these materials because they have large connected spaces or fractures. A pipe and a pump are used to pull water out of the ground. In some cases, a screen is used to filter out unwanted particles that could clog the pipe. Wells come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of material the well is drilled into and how much water is being pumped out.

We rely on groundwater - it's the water we drink, the water that grows our food, the water that helps recharge our lakes and rivers. Groundwater is a VERY important resource!

While some groundwater contaminants are naturally occurring, unfortunately, the majority of groundwater contamination is the result of human activity.

Yes, based on our local irrigation well ordinance, Union County Environmental Health will issue a permit for an irrigation well if all the required setbacks can be met. In addition, no (cross) connection to the public water supply can made with the well. To apply for an irrigation well permit, please submit a completed application, a site plan and the required fee.

Wells should have an information plate that is attached to the well casing or slab. This information includes depth of well and production (gallons per minute). The static water level (depth to water from the surface) and depth of the pump is also important to consider the amount of water available regardless of water production. There are approximately 1.5 gallons of water per 1-foot column of water in a 6 inch well. If this information is not available, you can contact a well contractor to conduct measurements. When calculating your water demand, we advise allowing for at least 120 gallons per day for each bedroom of a residence. Do you have an on-site septic system? All water lines must be installed at least 10 feet away from any part of the septic system. A compliance inspection is required by Environmental Health if irrigation is being installed on a property that is served by an on-site septic system. If an irrigation system is installed within the area that the septic system is located, this could lead to contaminating your drinking water and/or the groundwater supply.

Our recommendation would be to first sample your water to determine if arsenic exceeds the US Environmental Protection Agency standard of 10 ppb (0.01 mg/L). There are a number of treatment options available depending on if you want to treat the water before it enters the home (whole house treatment) or at a specific location such as the kitchen sink (point of use). The concentrations of other contaminants in your water such as iron and manganese can impact treatment options. So, it is important to have a full inorganic panel analysis performed before deciding on specific treatment type(s).

Arsenic Virtual Trade Show

Arsenic Treatment Technology Evaluation Handbook

A number of possibilities could contribute to this, the static water level could have dropped creating a smaller reservoir of water to pump, it could be a deficient pump or sediment could be filling the well and causing the water bearing fracture to be blocked. The well may have simply stopped producing water. Our recommendation would be to contact a certified well contactor to evaluate the well.

The United States EPA has established a secondary standard of 0.05 mg/l which is intended to let the public know that manganese can affect water quality at this level. People often choose to treat the water if the concentration is above 0.05 mg/l because of the way manganese can affect the water's properties (color, taste, staining) at these low levels. It is considered a nuisance. Exposure to high concentrations of manganese over the years has been associated with toxicity to the nervous system, producing a syndrome that resembles Parkinsonism. Since manganese’s effect on a child’s developing nervous system has not been adequately studied, it is important that drinking water for pregnant and young children be below the manganese standard level. If a home/business owner has a well water concentration greater than 0.3 mg/l manganese, a water treatment system or bottled water consumption should be considered. This level is based on the EPA Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories.

The short answer is, it depends. If the well is a safety issue or a potential source of contamination to the groundwater or other wells, it should be properly abandoned. A permit for well abandonment is issued by the Environmental Health office. In general, if the well is structurally sound, protected, not a potential source of contamination and in compliance with all setbacks, abandonment is not required.

Well Water Treatment Options and Costs

As a general rule, all well users should test their water on a regular basis to make sure their water is safe. Recommended tests include bacteria, inorganics, nitrates, petroleum and pesticides (other tests are available as needed). Children and infants can be especially impacted by certain contaminants and we advise specific tests for these concerns. Nitrate testing should be performed on wells that will be used for infants and young children. High levels of nitrates can cause “blue baby syndrome,” which affects how oxygen is transported in the blood. Lead and fluoride levels are also evaluated as part of the inorganic test. Exposure from lead is usually associated with leaching from plumbing fixtures. Appropriate fluoride levels are important for children’s dental health.

The setbacks to potential sources of contamination are located in North Carolina Standards of Construction: Water Supply Wells 15A NCAC 02C .0107. Some of the common setbacks include: 50 to 100ft from a septic system; 25ft to a building foundation; 100ft from a sewer line; 50ft from a pond; 25ft from a creek.

Selection of the most appropriate method of treatment may vary depending on the homeowner’s choice, chemical composition of the water and level of contamination. When selecting a water treatment unit, effectiveness, cost and maintenance requirements of the unit(s) should be considered. There are several options available to well owners for treatment.

• Treat all water that enters the dwelling with a “point of entry” treatment unit (also called a “whole-house” unit), or,
• Treat the water at a specific tap with a “point of use” unit (i.e., kitchen tap).
• Treat the water before use with a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified pitcher filter to remove arsenic (such as “Zerowater®”). This is a low-cost option that can be purchased online and used until a permanent solution is in place. Please consult with the manufacturer for filter cartridge replacement recommendations.

It is important that the source water be analyzed for other contaminants that may interfere with the proper treatment to remove arsenic. Well owners should consult a certified water treatment specialist to determine if additional treatment is necessary.

Owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring that their water is safe from contaminants. Private wells should be checked on a regular basis for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of coliform bacteria, nitrates, and any other contaminants of local concern.

Recommended Testing Schedule

Every Year: Test for total and fecal coliform bacteria

Every Two to Three Years: Test for heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites, lead and copper

Every Five Years: Test for pesticides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you know of a particular pesticide that is applied in your area, test yearly.

Additional information on water testing

When considering water treatments we advise making decisions based on certified laboratory test results. Knowing what type and amount of contaminants are important when choosing the right treatment. You can submit a water sample request form to Environmental Health if testing is needed. Please refer to the following link for general water treatment options: How to select a water treatment system for your well water.

Well water sampling and testing is offered through Union County Environmental Health. We are located at: 500 N. Main Street, Suite 47, Monroe, NC 28112.

Environmental Health offers a variety of common well water testing such as bacteriological, inorganic, nitrate/nitrite, petroleum (VOC’s), pesticide, herbicide, fluoride, and others.

Inorganic testing includes analysis for alkalinity, arsenic, barium, cadmium, calcium, chromium, copper, fluoride, hardness (T), iron, lead, manganese, magnesium, mercury, pH, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, and zinc.

A list of Union County Environmental Health fees (including water sampling) is available online.

Arsenic is a toxic element. Drinking inorganic arsenic over many years (chronic

exposure) increases the risk of skin, bladder, kidney, liver, and lung cancer. It has also

been found to have possible links to blood vessel damage, heart problems, diabetes

and skin changes.

Arsenic usually cannot be seen, smelled or tasted in drinking water. Testing your water is the only way to know if it is present. Union County Environmental Health offers well water testing for a variety of contaminants. The results of your water sample will indicate the level of arsenic in the water.

Arsenic occurs naturally in the earth's crust. When rocks weather, minerals break down.  If arsenic is present in these rocks, it can be released into the groundwater. Areas of  North Carolina's piedmont, including Union County, that are underlain by  metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks, commonly referred to as the “Carolina  Slate Belt” have a greater number of drinking water wells with arsenic than other  regions. In Union County, the slate belt area covers about two-thirds of the county.  However, low levels of arsenic are found in groundwater throughout North Carolina.

Our recommendation would be to first sample your water to determine if arsenic exceeds the US Environmental Protection Agency standard of 10 ppb (0.01 mg/L). There are a number of treatment options available depending on if you want to treat the water before it enters the home (whole house treatment) or at a specific location such as the kitchen sink (point of use). The concentrations of other contaminants in your water such as iron and manganese can impact treatment options. So, it is important to have a full inorganic panel analysis performed before deciding on specific treatment type(s).

Arsenic Virtual Trade Show

Arsenic Treatment Technology Evaluation Handbook

Selection of the most appropriate method of treatment may vary depending on the homeowner’s choice, chemical composition of the water and level of contamination. When selecting a water treatment unit, effectiveness, cost and maintenance requirements of the unit(s) should be considered. There are several options available to well owners for treatment.

• Treat all water that enters the dwelling with a “point of entry” treatment unit (also called a “whole-house” unit), or,
• Treat the water at a specific tap with a “point of use” unit (i.e., kitchen tap).
• Treat the water before use with a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified pitcher filter to remove arsenic (such as “Zerowater®”). This is a low-cost option that can be purchased online and used until a permanent solution is in place. Please consult with the manufacturer for filter cartridge replacement recommendations.

It is important that the source water be analyzed for other contaminants that may interfere with the proper treatment to remove arsenic. Well owners should consult a certified water treatment specialist to determine if additional treatment is necessary.