Info for well water testing RECEIVED
0 C T 21 2020
PENGINEERING,
CITY OF SALEM
BOARD OF HEALTH INC.
P.O. Box 848 • 53 Mason St., Salem, MA 01970 •Telephone: 978-745-4569 • Fax: 978-745-4881
October 20,2020
Salem Board of Health
120 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Salem,MA 01970
Dear Health Officer,
Please post this to remind residents that annual well testing for drinking water and
irrigation systems is recommended required by Massachusetts Department of Public
Health.. These tests are important because they test for bacteria and chemicals that could
be harmful to humans,pets and the lawn. The chloride and sodium tests would indicate if
saltwater intrusion was a problem. Fill an empty 16 oz. spring water bottle and deliver to
S P Engineering,Inc., 53 Mason Street,Entry A, 19t Door on Left, Salem,MA 01970
laboratory or the cooler in the hall and we will perform the standard analyses for$90.
00. There are other analysis packages for municipal supplies,taste and odor concerns,
stormwater fecal bacteria and environmental testing. SP Engineering, Inc has moved
the laboratory to 53 Mason Street, Salem,MA. Due to corona virus we will offer
a no contact pick up. If desired give us a call and we will pick up the sample from
your doorstep at no charge. Please call 978-745-4569 or e-mail us at
brucepoolesp@aol.com.
Please call if you have any questions.
Very truly yours,
SP,Engineering,Inc.
Bruce M. Poole
President
P
ENGINEERING, INC.
P.O. Box 848. 53 Mason St., Salem, MA 01970 •Telephone: 978-745-4569 • Fax: 978-745-4881
ANALYSIS PACKAGES PRICE LIST FOR SPRING 2020
A. Wellwater Analysis(Private Supply)
pH, Total Coliform,Nitrates, Chloride, Sodium and Iron. $90.00
B. Drinking Water Analysis (Municipal Supply)
pH, Total Coliform, Total Plate Count, Chlorine and Lead $100.00
C. Water Staining(Taste and Odor Concerns)
Residual Chlorine, Copper and Iron. $60.00
D. Runoff Analysis (Storm drains,brooks, beaches)
pH, Salinity, Fecal Coliform and Fecal Streptococcus Bacteria $75.00
E. Soil Analysis (Environmental)
pH,RCRA 8 metals, Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons $300.00
F. Soil Analysis (Septic System, Title V)
pH, Grain Size(4 Sieves), % Solids, %Volatile Solids (organics) $125.00
Please review the options listed and check the chemical analysis package desired for drinking water or
soil. Surface water testing of beaches, brooks or storm drains to protect children playing in the
area detects Streptococcus and Fecal Coliform bacteria. Water samples can be sent in a clean 16 oz
spring water bottle. Soil samples should be 200-300 grams(12 oz) and can be placed in double food
storage bags. Fill out the enclosed form for the laboratory records and deliver or send the sample and
prepaid check UPS to SP Engineering, Inc. 53 Mason Street,Ste 101, Salem,MA 01970
Name: Tel#:
Address: City: ST: Zip:
Sample taken from: Time: Date:
Analysis Package
(Circle One) A B C D E F
Well Water Tap Water Water Runoff Soil Soil
Stain Bacteria Env. Title V
Enclose check for: $90.00 $100.00 $60.00 $75.00 $300.00 $125.00
Total$
S P ENGINEERING INC.
53 MASON STREET, STE 101, SALEM, MA.
978-745-45699 FAX 978-745-4881
brucepoolesp@aol.com
GROUNDWATER QUALITY
Private well water supplies are influenced by the groundwater table,precipitation, road
run-off and septic systems. The quality of the water may change with the seasons and
human factors such as; development, agriculture,road salt and livestock. There are
certain indicator compounds that help assess the safety of the drinking water. The pH
determines the Acidity or Alkalinity of the water and should be 5.5 to 8.5. Low pH
can be caused by oak or pine cover,boggy conditions or iron rich soils. It can cause
corrosion and staining of fixtures and sometimes adds a musky odor to the water.
The Chloride and Sodium values in the water are increased by road run-6ff, salt use,
fertilizers and saltwater intrusion. Well heads near the ocean are subject to draw down in
dry periods(July/August)and can pull saltwater into the aquifer lens. Sodium has an
advisory limit of 20 mg/l for people with heart conditions or over 60 years old. Iron
is one of the more abundant metals in the soil and is a basic micronutrient(non-toxic).
However, iron levels greater than 0.3 mg/l can cause staining of porcelain and stainless
fixtures. It can also indicate corroded pipes or pressure tanks. Nitrate analysis indicates
the long term build-up of Nitrogen in the aquifer. Septic systems produce Nitrates in the
final effluent and are the primary nitrogen contributor. Other sources,which can be
controlled, are lawn and garden fertilizer use, livestock holding, etc. Nitrate levels over
10 mg/l can cause debilitating deformity in the unborn,so shallow well systems,
particularly, should be tested annually.
The Total Coliform test is an indicator of the health and safety of the water as it relates to
microbial contamination. The Coliform bacteria(E. coli) are found in soil, cold blooded
animals,birds, livestock,pets and humans. The presence of any Coliform bacteria in
the well would indicate that the water source has been contaminated by infiltration
from surface run-off,a failed septic system,wildlife(especially if ducks and geese
have fouled in the area),or that the underground piping has leaks. The bacteria test
is very important because Fecal Coliforms(warm blooded source)can be found with
other pathogenic organisms like; streptococcus,pseudomonas, shigella, salmonella and
hepatitis. There are normal safe bacteria that can grow on the inside of pipers or pressure
tanks in non-chlorinated systems and these are reported occasionally on the reports as
background. Moderate to heavy background levels would not mean a health risk,but that
a well and system cleaning is needed.
SP Engineering,Inc. can analyze your drinking water to give you peace of mind for
$90.00. This includes testing for; pH,Total Coliform,Nitrate, Choloride,Sodium
and Iron. Pick up a sterile bottle at our lab or use a 16oz clean spring bottle. Run the
kitchen tap for 3-5 minutes and take a sample,return the bottle to us or send via UPS next
day to the address below with a check. The analysis will be completed in 1-2 weeks.
Bacteria testing is done the same day and if problems are noted you will be called
instantly.
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Municipal water supply systems furnish the highest level of water quality available to protect human
health and safety. Most distribution systems have pH adjustment with lime or sodium hydroxide and
chlorination. The surface water sources;reservoirs and lakes often have filtration plants to remove
suspended solids, algae and bacteria before pumping the treated water to elevated water tanks.
The chlorine residual in the water protects the quality by killing any bacteria that enter the system from the
holding tanks, distribution lines and leaky connections. Most of the problems encountered with drinking
water quality occur in the older distribution lines and the dwelling. Houses over 60 years old may have
lead solder in the cellar and underground lines. Lead is a poison that accumulates in young children
and can cause brain and bone damage,therefore the limit is very low,0.015 mg/l. Low pH and/or
solids in the water can cause corrosion or scouring of Lead solder,Iron and Copper in the pipes.
While the last two metals are not harmful,they do cause staining of porcelain and fixtures.
In areas of hard water,water softeners, activated carbon and exchange resins are used in the home to
improve water quality. These systems have to be maintained properly and resins replaced regularly or
they can have break through and release high amounts of salt or minerals to the tap. The treatment units
can also be reservoirs of bacteria because the Chlorine is neutralized. Regular testing(as required for
new connections)for Total Coliform and Heterotrophic plate count(total) bacteria confirms the
integrity of the distribution system and water supply.
S.P. Engineering,Inc. can analyze your drinking water using these two bacterial tests to confirm its
safety for$60. A separate set of analyses that includes testing for pH,Coliform,Chlorine and Lead
is available for$100. You can pick up sterile bottles at our location(53 Mason Street, suite 101 front), or
use a clean 16oz spring water bottle.
Run the kitchen tap 3-5 minutes and then fill the bottle. Label the bottle with your name, address,
telephone number and date of sampling. Return the bottle with a check to us directly to the address above
(there is a sample cooler outside) or we can arrange a no contact pick up. The chemical analyses for
metals will be completed in 1-2 weeks. Bacteria testing is done the same day and you will be called
after 24 hours if problems are found.
SIP ENGINEERING, INC.
brucepoolespga of com
P.O. BOX 848 . 53 MASON STREET■ SALEM, MA 01970
TEL: 978-745-4569 0 FAX: 978-745-4881