Water Quality

The towns in our district are served by a combination of privately owned wells, commercial wells, and community water systems. With respect to insuring an adequate and safe supply of drinking water; the department’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: providing regulatory review, technical advice and input on well site selection, and well placement. As part of the well review process, NDDH insures that drinking water meets applicable standards prior to final well approval.

Well Approval Process

• Contact the well driller of your choice.
• Driller submits Well Permit to NDDH Fee $75.00
• Sanitarian approves well site.
• Approval forwarded to driller.
• Following completion of well, the well completion report must be forwarded to NDDH.
• Call a State of Connecticut certified lab to have water tested. Well water must be taken from an inside faucet by a Lab employee (contact the lab directly for a list of their fees.) Instruct the lab to forward a copy of the water analysis to NDDH.

Explanation Of Water Tests

Total Coliform Bacteria: Coliform Bacteria is an indicator of possible disease causing organisms. In order for water to be considered legally potable (safe for drinking) there should be 0 colonies of bacteria in 100 ml of water. If the Coliform Bacteria count is greater than 0 colonies per 100 mg of water, there is a possibility that disease-causing organisms could be present in the water tested.

Color: Color in water is usually by natural metallic ions (iron and manganese), humus, and peat materials.

Odor: Most organic and some inorganic chemicals contribute to odor in water. Uncontaminated water does not have an odor or taste of its own. Odor often provides the first warning of potential hazards.

(Odor may dissipate rapidly. Accurate odor testing may only be possible if done by laboratory personnel on-site).

Turbidity: Turbidity measures the clarity of water. It is often caused by iron and/or manganese in water, or by suspended matter such as clay or silt.

PH: PH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of the water. PH ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being very acidic and 14 being very alkaline. A pH of 7 is neutral. Water with a PH below 6.7 can be aggressive and cause deterioration of plumbing.

Nitrogen Series (Ammonia And Nitrate & Nitrite Nitrogen): These tests, in conjunction with the total Coliform Bacteria count can be used to identify surface water contamination and wastewater intrusion into water supplies. Water containing nitrates greater than 10mg/1 and nitrite nitrogen in amounts greater than 1.0 mg/l is not recommended for consumption by infants under two years old, nursing mothers, or pregnant women. In excessive amounts, it contributes to the illness known as methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome).

Chloride/Sodium: Chloride is one of the major inorganic anions in water. If chlorides are above 30 mg/l, or if the supply has a softener on it, sodium is tested. Physicians use the sodium level in water in planning a low-sodium diet when needed.

Mbas Detergents (not routinely performed): Mbas is a test for detergents. If detergents are greater than the recommended limit of 0.5 mg/l, it is a strong indication of septic contamination.

Hardness: Hardness is measured to indicate soaps ability to clean. The harder the water, the more soap required for cleaning. Waters above 150 mg/l can also cause white scale to form in plumbing and heating fixtures.

Iron/Manganese: Iron and manganese are common sources of staining. Above the recommended levels they can cause reddish brown to black stains on fixtures, clothes, and dishes.