By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association

Pure, safe drinking water is essential, one of the few things in life that is truly indispensable. If you live in the Brodhead Watershed in Monroe County, you very likely get your water from your own well.

That’s the good news.  With a well, the person in charge is you. It’s also the bad news, because you’re probably not a water quality expert.

And unless your water looks or smells really funky, you probably think everything’s fine.

It could very well be fine, and it very likely is!

But really nasty bugs like coliform bacteria don’t necessarily affect the look, smell, or taste of your water. The only way to be sure is to have your well tested.

One surprising factor in the health or otherwise of your well water is the land around you and upstream from you.

For instance, land that is kept natural, protected from being paved over or developed, helps keep groundwater pure and uncontaminated.

That means that beautiful stretches of land — state gamelands, public open space, and privately conserved land — are more than just delightful natural views we enjoy every day.

They contribute to safe drinking water for everyone.

So does our local land trust. Pocono Heritage Land Trust has conserved over 5,000 acres, a lot of it in our watershed.

If you’ve never had your well tested — or the last time was years ago — it’s just prudent to have it done, even if it smells fine and tastes great.

If you’ve noticed changes in taste, odor, or appearance, make testing a priority.

Even if it seems okay, get it tested anyway if there’s been construction activity anywhere near your well recently, or someone in your household is pregnant or you have an infant.

You can live without food for three weeks or more.

Without water, it’s three days. So take charge! Get your well tested.

Home inspection firms often provide well testing services. A Monroe County lab that does water testing is ABE Laboratories. 

State and local regulators recommend both water testing and well inspections every one to three years or more frequently if you suspect contamination due to changes

The Brodhead Watershed Association protects water quality and quantity throughout our area. Get involved!

Visit The Brodhead Association’s Protecting Clean Water Together webpage.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website or Follow them on Facebook.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Association.  Click Here to become a member.

Resource Link:

-- Well Water Testing In Pennsylvania

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NewsClips:

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-- Penn State: American Soil Losing More Crop Nutrients Due To Heavier Rainstorms, Study Shows

-- Penn State Extension Field Crop News: PA Agronomic Education Conference; Are My Forages Dead? Educational Opportunities; More!

-- Penn State Extension: Upcoming Crops Days And Conferences For Crop Producers, Pesticide Applicators, Crop Consultants

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-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Researchers Study Soundscapes To Monitor Invasive Plants

[Posted: November 25, 2024]

12/2/2024