CULLMAN, Ala. – The Alabama Cooperative Extension System – Private Well Program is offering a free workshop through the Cullman County and Blount County Extension Offices on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Hanceville Civic Center. The Well Water Quality Workshop will give residents the opportunity to learn firsthand the importance of routinely testing the quality of their well water. It will also be a great source of information for anyone interested in using well water.
Auburn University’s Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station reported the most common contaminants in Alabama well water are iron, coliform bacteria, lead, nitrates and manganese. These contaminants are blocked into primary and secondary contaminants; primary contaminants such as fecal coliform bacteria, or lead could potentially pose a health concern to those who ingest any contaminated water.
“Private well water quality is not federally or state-regulated, so it is crucial for private well owners to test their water regularly to ensure that their drinking water is safe,” said Cullman County Extension Office Coordinator Kira Sims. “Even if a well appears clean and has no irregular smells, invisible microorganisms or other harmful contaminants can still be present and pose health risks to those using the water.”
According to the Alabama Office of Water Resources, Alabama is home to approximately 540,000 well owners. In 2015, a study done by the Alabama Department of Economic Affairs revealed that about 3% of Cullman residents and a shocking 19% of Blount County residents were supplied their daily water through a well. Unfortunately, a lot of these wells are housed on private property, therefore ungoverned and unregulated. Well owners may not think to test their water supply regularly for contaminants.
“Well water testing is not a regulated public service offered by municipalities in the same sense as public water systems. This means that any testing, treatment or maintenance done on the system is at the discretion of the homeowner,” Sims explained. “Although a well may not appear to have any issues, well water quality can change over time because of natural or human-induced contaminants.”
The workshop will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 14, at the Hanceville Civic Center, located at 902 Commercial St. Registration is required, but is free. Attendees should register online by Nov. 10 at aub.ie/hancevillewells. A free educational bacteria screening is available to the first 20 registrants who pick up sample bottles from the Cullman County Extension Office. For more information, call 256-737-9386.
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