A guide to understanding your water testing results - PowerPoint Presentation

1. A guide to understanding your water testing resultsUniversity of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Water Quality ProgramAlyson McCann, Water Quality Program Coordinatoralyson@uri.edu (401) 874-5398

2. TopicsWhat do I do now that I’ve had my well water tested?Some common terms and definitions found on a testing reportMost important things to look for/ concernsWhere to find it on each lab’s report

3. I’ve had my well water tested, what do I do now?Begin by working through your test results with this presentationContact Alyson McCann via email or phone to discuss results and treatment optionsVisit Cooperative Extension’s Well Water Quality Program website for more information on: Tip sheets and water quality standards: https://web.uri.edu/safewater/private-well-testing-and-protection/understanding-your-well-test-results/ Treatment: https://web.uri.edu/safewater/private-well-testing-and-protection/treatment/

4. Common terms and definitions – each state certified water testing lab will provide you with a “key” to help you understand your well water resultsResult: The level of contaminant found, or ND (not detected) if the level of contaminant is below the reporting limit. Units for the measure are listed under the "Units" columnReporting/ detection limit (RL/DL): The minimum amount of a contaminant that is significant enough to report Recommended maximum: The recommended maximum level of contaminant in drinking waterMinimum reportable level (MRL): The minimum amount of a contaminant that can be detected in the water sample based on the testing method used by the lab

5. Common terms and definitionsMaximum contaminant level (MCL): The acceptable level of a contaminant allowed in well water based on health concernsSecondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL): The acceptable level of a contaminant allowed for aesthetic purposesNot detected (ND): The contaminant was not detected in the sample above the minimum reporting limit (concentrations were not significant enough to report)Action Level: The limit at which water testing results indicate that action must be taken to improve water quality

6. What to look for on your reportThe presence or absence of bacteria (E. coli and total coliform)The result of testing for a specific substance or chemical compared to the action level or recommended maximum contaminant level (if either is exceeded, further action is likely needed)The presence of any flags, symbols, or special letters, which relay information about a result – consult the lab’s explanation sheet and key to understanding your results provided with your test results NOTE: Reports often list detection limits or reporting levels, which are not the same as action levels or allowable contaminant levels, which indicate water quality and the necessity for action. You may need to contact the lab or Alyson McCann to obtain action levels for the substances measured in the report

7. Understanding and Interpreting your water test results may be difficult Do not hesitate to contact the testing lab and Alyson McCann at the University of Rhode Island for assistance. Alyson will ask you to email your results to her so she can take a look and answer your questions.PHONE: (401) 874-5398Email: alyson@uri.edu

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9. Check the slides below for where to find pertinent information within your report for state-certified labs typically used by Rhode Island private well ownersAquatekBAL LaboratoryMicrobac LaboratoriesNew England Testing LaboratoryRI AnalyticalRI Department of Health

10. Aquatek LabsBacteriaPresence or absence indicated with a checkmarkReporting/ detection limitsListed under MRL (Minimum Reportable Level) with the units listed under the Units column to the leftWater standards/ allowable contaminant levelsListed under Limits with a P or S abbreviation. P stands for primary limit (meaning the limit used to judge potability) and S stands for secondary limit, which is a limit that is recommended, usually for aesthetic purposes, but is not requiredNumbers in BOLD textN/ASpecialty symbols(*) means that a limit has been exceeded

11. BAL LaboratoryBacteriaPresent or Absent listed for bacteria forms under MicrobiologyReporting/ detection limitsListed under Reporting Limits with the units listed under the Units column to the leftWater standards/ allowable contaminant levelsListed under Limit. Followed by an M means that the limit is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). Followed by a # symbol means that it is the Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL). Limit followed by a § symbol indicates that the limit is the action level, meaning if the result reaches that limit then there is a need for action to improve the water quality. Results at the action level are preceded by a star symbol (*)Numbers in BOLD textA testing result was measured and may be significant but DOES NOT mean that the result is a problem Specialty symbols(*) means that a limit has been exceeded

12. Microbac LaboratoriesBacteriaPresent or Absent listed for bacteria forms under MicrobiologyReporting/ detection limitsListed Under the RL column with units for the limits listed under the Units column to the rightWater standards/ allowable contaminant levelsListed under Limits followed by either MCL to indicate a Maximum Contaminant Level or SMCL to indicate a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level Numbers in BOLD textThe result has exceeded a limitSpecialty symbolsN/A

13. New England Testing LaboratoryBacteriaPresent or Absent listed for bacteria forms under Category: MicrobiologyReporting/ detection limitsListed under Detection Limit with units for the limits listed under the Units column to the leftWater standards/ allowable contaminant levelsListed under Recommended Maximum column with units under the Units column to the leftNumbers in BOLD textThe result is not within the recommended range Specialty symbolsN/A

14. RI AnalyticalBacteriaPresent or Absent listed for bacteria forms under Microbiological (MCL*)Reporting/ detection limitsListed under Det. Limit with units for the limits listed under the Units column to the rightWater standards/ allowable contaminant levelsListed after the results in a chart titled Primary Drinking Water Regulations. The chart is separated into different sections with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) listed for different categories of drinking water contaminants. Units for these MCLs are listed in the title for each section of the chart. A separate chart titled Secondary Drinking Water Guidelines is below this section and lists the Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCL)Numbers in BOLD textN/ASpecialty symbolsN/A

15. RI Department of HealthBacteriaPresent or Absent will be listed in regards to Total Coliform and E. coli tests under ResultReporting/ detection limitsListed under Reporting Limits with the units listed under the Units column to the leftWater standards/ allowable contaminant levelsListed separately from results page (contact Alyson for more information)Numbers in BOLD textA testing result was measured and may be significant, but this DOES NOT mean that the result is a problem Specialty symbolsN/A