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Drinking Water ProgramAdditionally, we provide review and approval service for those wells serving 2 homes and provide consultation services to larger systems as well. What is Ground water? Well Drilling
Non-Residential and Systems with More than 2 connections Consumer Confidence Reports Other Links What is Ground Water?Whenever someone is using a well for their drinking water, they are using ground water. Ground water is the water that is found underground in the cracks of rocks and in the spaces between soil, sand and rocks. When it rains and when snow melts, the water moves down into the ground, traveling between these cracks and spaces. When the water reaches a point where all the cracks and spaces are full of water, this point is called the water table. The depth to the water table varies greatly by area and season. When we drill a well, the well must extend past the water table to insure that enough water is available to use in our daily lives.Ground water is generally considered to be a safe source of water. As the water moves through the cracks and spaces between the soil, sand and rocks, contaminants and pollution that are mixed with the water get stuck in the small cracks and spaces while the water continues to move downward - just a little cleaner. The earth is acting as a giant filter! To learn more about how water moves underground, click here http://www.groundwater.org/kc/whatis.html Ground Water PollutionGround water is one of our most valuable resources. It takes many years for water from the surface of the earth to make its way down into aquifers. While the soil, sand and rocks do make an efficient filter, many contaminants mix thoroughly with the water and are difficult to remove. Every state in the nation has reported cases of ground water contamination. Some common sources of ground water pollution are:
Pollution PreventionThe best, easiest and least expensive ways to protect our ground water supplies are to prevent pollution and practice conservation in order to protect our ground water supplies from being contaminated in the first place.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility Richland Landfill 3102 Twin Bridges Road Richland (Off SR 240, 3.5 miles west of Richland) 942-7387 Open: Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm Sat & Sun 9 am to 5 pm Richland Landfill Website Franklin County Residents Basin Disposal, Inc. 1721 Dietrich Rd. Pasco (Between Basin Recycling and BDI Transfer) 547-2088 Open Monday - Friday, 10 am to 3 pm
Washington Department of Health
Well DrillingHow do I drill a well?If your property will be served on an on-site sewage disposal system, it is important to contact the Benton-Franklin Health District before drilling your new well. Improper placement of a well on a lot can severely limit the placement of an on-site sewage disposal system and, in a worst case scenario, render the lot unusable. Placement of the drainfield must be a minimum of 100 feet away from all wells, not just the one you are anticipating drilling on your property.The drilling of new wells is regulated by the State Department of Ecology. The following information is located at their site: Protecting Your Well From ContaminationGround water contamination can come from natural or human sources. Naturally occurring contaminates include bacteria, viruses, nitrates, heavy metals (like arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead), radon, and fluoride (in excessive amounts).Human activities, past and present, are the biggest threat to ground water quality. Bacteria and nitrates are abundant in human and animal waste material. If either septic tank systems or livestock management areas are located too close to a well, contamination may result. Consumption of excessive amounts of nitrates can cause adverse health effects in infants less than 6 months of age and some adults. In agricultural areas, fertilizers and pesticides are frequently applied to crops. This can also occur in suburban areas where there are many lawns, gardens, and golf courses. These chemicals can reach ground water. Fertilizers contain nitrogen compounds which may break down into nitrates, adding to natural sources of nitrates. Other potential contaminants include: underground storage tanks used for home heating fuels that can corrode and allow pollutants to leak into ground water, improper disposal of household wastes, used motor oil, paints, industrial products and other wastes that are not properly managed.
Other Well Protection Links:
Well Permit v. Water RightOne of the most common worries prospective well owners have about drilling a new well is whether or not they will be able to get a "water right." "Water rights" are often confused with "well permits." For the typical home owner, a well permit is all that is needed.Well Permit - Issued by Dept. of Ecology to property owners who will use less than 5,000 gal/day of Ground water for
Water Right - The legal authorization to use a certain amount of public water for specific beneficial purposes.
Contacting the Department of Ecology Main webpage
Abandoned WellsIn the State of Washington, the landowner is responsible for properly decommissioning (abandoning) wells. The law also requires that decommissioning be done by a licensed well driller. If you have questions about procedures, costs or site specific details, please contact a licensed well driller. You can find them in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Well Drilling and Service"Click here to download the Washington Department of Ecology's brochure on abandoned wells: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/96br097.pdf How Can I test my water?If you are using water from a private well, testing the water is the only way to find out it if is free from contaminants. As the owner of the well, you are the person responsible for testing the water.The Benton Franklin Health District maintains a certified laboratory that performs bacteriological monitoring and limited water chemistry. The most commonly performed water quality tests are coliform bacteria, nitrates and fluoride. Coliform Bacteria
What are Coliform Bacteria?Coliform bacteria are a group of bacteria commonly found in our environment, including the feces of man and other warm-blooded animals. While most of the bacteria in this group are found on the ground and within the first few feet of soil, it does include bacteria that can cause disease in humans, such as E. coli and Salmonella sp. The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water indicates that the water has been contaminated with surface water, which may contain disease causing bacteria from the fecal material of man or other animals. This poses a potential health risk exists for those drinking the water.For more information about coliform bacteria and how to submit a sample;
How do I disinfect my well?To disinfect the typical well:
NitratesWhat are Nitrates? What are the health risks associated with nitrates? How do I get them out of my water? How often should I test for nitrates?
What are the health risks associated with nitrates?The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of nitrate as nitrogen (NO3-N) at 10 mg/L (or 10 parts per million) for the safety of drinking water. Nitrate levels at or above this level have been known to cause a potentially fatal blood disorder in infants under six months of age called methemoglobinemia or "blue-baby" syndrome; in which there is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. The symptoms of blue-baby syndrome can be subtle and often confused with other illnesses. An infant with mild to moderate blue-baby syndrome may have diarrhea, vomiting, and/or be lethargic. In more serious cases, infants will start to show obvious symptoms of cyanosis: the skin, lips or nailbeds may develop a slate-gray or bluish color and the infant could have trouble breathing. A sample of the infant's blood can easily confirm a diagnosis of blue-baby syndrome. It is difficult to determine the true incidence of blue-baby syndrome in Washington State because it is not a reportable disease.Other At Risk PopulationsPregnant women, people with reduced stomach acidity, and people with certain blood disorders may also be susceptible to nitrate-induced methemoglobinemia. Some research has suggested that nitrate may also play a role in the development of some cancers. However, at this time there is no clear evidence that nitrate ingestion results in an increased cancer risk.For more information about the health risks of nitrates; How do I get them out of my water?Nitrates dissolve easily in water, so removing them is difficult. Home water softeners or filters DO NOT remove nitrates. Boiling actually concentrates the nitrates. Distillation and reverse osmosis are processes which remove all minerals from water, including nitrates. Ion-exchange systems will also remove nitrates. Because these systems are fairly expensive and require some maintenance and filter changes, you may want to consider using bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes.How often should I test for nitrates?It is generally recommended that your water be testing for nitrates once every three years. Below is a table which shows various nitrate levels and a recommended testing schedule.
FluorideWhen a single family well provides water to a family with small children, it is helpful to know what the fluoride levels in the water. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in water. A level of 1.0 mg/L in drinking water is sufficient to reduce dental caries without harmful effects on health. At excessively high levels fluorosis may occur. Knowing the fluoride levels in your drinking water will help you and your dentist to make the appropriate decision about any fluoride supplements that may be prescribed. For the September 2000 Fluoride Report for community water systems in Benton, Franklin, and Umatilla Counties and the supplement schedule, click here. For a complete list of water tests that are performed by the Benton Franklin Health District's certified laboratory, click here.My water smells like rotten eggs (Hydrogen Sulfide)As long as our drinking water is colorless, odorless, and free of unpleasant taste, we tend not to give much thought to the water we are using. If, however, our water has a strange taste or smell, we are understandably concerned. In the Columbia Basin, hydrogen sulfide gas is often the cause.What is Hydrogen Sulfide?Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that can show up in drinking water as a result of several different processes. The decay of organic matter is a common cause. However, in surface and ground water supplies, the presence of harmless sulfate-reducing bacteria is most often the cause.Sometimes the characteristic "rotten egg" odor is caused by sulfur bacteria. This type of bacteria is not harmful. It lives in hot water plumbing. Sulfur bacteria chemically changes hydrogen sulfide to sulfate, which produces the unpleasant odor. Sometimes gelatinous slime is present, similar to iron bacteria. If you notice the sulfur smell when you run the hot water in your home, but not the cold, this may be the cause of your problem. Hydrogen sulfide can also be responsible for tarnished silverware and yellow or black stains on kitchen or bathroom fixtures. Coffee, tea and other beverages made with water containing hydrogen sulfide may be discolored, and it can change the appearance and taste of cooked foods. Potential Health ConcernsHydrogen sulfide is a flammable and poisonous gas. However, at concentrations found in household water, it is usually not a health risk. Hydrogen sulfide odors are detectable by the nose at very low levels. Concentrations high enough to cause a health concern are extremely rare because the odor would be intolerable. Nevertheless, hydrogen sulfide in water, when released in confined areas, has been known to cause nausea and illness.Water with hydrogen sulfide alone does not cause disease. However, in rare cases, the hydrogen sulfide odor may be from sewage pollution, which can contain disease-causing organisms or other contaminants. Sulfur-reducing and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in water pose no known human health risk. Removal of Sulfate from WaterIn order to properly treat your water for sulfate, it is recommended that you know the amount of sulfate found in your water. This requires an on-site test of the water as the sulfate dissipates rapidly. The treatment method will depend on the amount of sulfate in the water. Chlorination, activated carbon filters, aeration and sulfur blasters are some of the methods available. Contact your local water purifier and filter equipment dealer for more information.If you believe the source of your sulfate odor is from bacteria, shock chlorination of the entire water system, including storage, hot water tanks, and distribution lines, is recommended to kill the bacteria. Click here for information on shock chlorination of a well. If this method does not eliminate the smell, contact a local water purifier from the yellow pages. Home Water TreatmentThere are many different types of home water treatment devices on the market. The one that is right for you is the one that addresses the specific problems you are having with your water. When interpreting your water analysis results, remember that the presence of a contaminant does not always mean that the water needs to be treated. Click here for a list of maximum contaminant levels If you receive your water from a public water system, call the operator for a report on the water quality (Consumer Confidence Report) which will show what the water is tested for and the results. Click here to go to list of local public water systems who's Consumer Confidence Reports are on the internet.If you are considering water treatment to remove a contaminate related to a health condition, keep in mind that removing the source of contamination or replacing the unsafe water supply with a safe one is more appropriate than treating the water. In general, there are "point-of-use" and "point-of-entry" treatment systems. Point of use (POU) devices treat the water at the point it is going to be used, usually for drinking or cooking purposes and only one tap in the house may be connected to this filter (such as reverse osmosis or charcoal filters attached to the top of faucets). Point of entry devices (POE) treat the water as it enters the home and is then distributed all the taps in the home (such as water softeners). Point of Use DevicesActivated Charcoal Filters. These systems use replaceable filter cartridges containing granular or powdered block carbon. Water needing treatment passes through the cartridge, coming into contact with the activated charcoal on its way to the faucet. These filters have a limited ability to adsorb contaminants and eventually need to be replaced. For best results, these filters need to have sufficient contact time with the water, so the depth of the filter and the flow rate of water can be important. In addition, activated charcoal becomes a growth medium for bacteria when the filter is saturated with organic contaminants, which supply the food source for the bacteria and when the filter has not been used for a long period of time.Activated carbon filters remove organic contaminates, such as pesticides, industrial solvents, components of gasoline, radon, and many other organic compounds that cause the water to taste and smell bad. Reverse Osmosis. This unit is usually installed underneath the kitchen sink. Water passes through a thin membrane with very tiny pores. The system works by applying a high water pressure on one side of the filter, which forces pure water through the membrane. The contaminants accumulate on the other side of the membrane. The pure water is collected for drinking and cooking use. These systems remove all major types of contaminants - nitrates, metals, and organics. Check into the cost of installation, filter exchanges and the amount of waste water that is generated. Typically, these units use several gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of treated water. Pre- and post-treatment of the water is often needed. Distillation. This unit treats water by heating it until it forms steam. When water becomes steam, any contaminants in the water are left behind. The steam then cools and condenses to form pure water in a separate storage container. The contaminants are periodically flushed from the unit. Distillers remove inorganic compounds, such as lead and nitrates, and some organic compounds. They also disinfect the water through the boiling process. These units may be found on the countertop, attached to the wall or on a cart. Disadvantages to this system are high energy use and cost, the heat produced during its use, the loss of beneficial minerals from the water and possibly flat tasting water. Also, care must be taken to avoid bacterial contamination of the storage container. Point of Entry DevicesIon Exchange. Water softeners are the best known example of ion exchange systems. These systems work by exchanging a compound in the water for a chemical on the filter resin. Calcium and magnesium, which make the water hard, are exchanged for sodium ions attached to the resin surface. Once all the sodium ions have been replaced by the calcium and magnesium ions, the system must be recharged by flushing the system with high amounts of sodium. This creates a great deal of waste water that is discharged to the sewer or septic system. Ion exchange systems have been developed to remove nonhardness chemicals, however recharging the resins is more difficult.Wells Serving 2 Homes (approved water systems)All water systems that serve 2 connections or more are considered Group B public water systems within the State of Washington and are subject to the requirements of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-291. In an effort to expedite your project, the Benton-Franklin Health District has entered into an agreement with the Washington State Department of Health accepting delegation of responsibility for 2 Unit Group B Water Systems within Benton and Franklin Counties. WAC 246-291-090(3) authorizes the Benton-Franklin District Health Department to establish uniform criteria for the development of residential 2 unit water systems in Benton and Franklin Counties that are less stringent than WAC 246-291.An approved water system is needed when:
When applying for approval as a Group B Residential 2 Unit Water System, please contact our office for an application packet. The following items must be submitted to the Health Department (many of which are included in the application packet), along with a completed application form and review fee. The review fee for a 2 Unit Water System is $220.00.
Following the review of your submitted information, an on-site review will be conducted. Any problems with the site will be reported to you and must be corrected prior to formal approval of your water system by this office. On-Site Review of Well When the inspector visits the site, they will be looking at the following with regard to the well site:
Non-Residential and Systems with More than 2 ConnectionsWhen a water system is the water source for a business or serves 2 or more consumers, the system is required to be reviewed and permitted by the Washington State Department of Health, Drinking Water Division. Two to fifteen connections is considered a Group B water system. More than fifteen connections is considered a Group A water system. For Group B systems, we can help you complete the paperwork and help with your submittal. For larger systems, contact the Regional Engineer for more information on how to apply for a Group A water system.Regional Engineer for Benton and Franklin Counties Andres Cervantes, P.E. 509-456-4430 andres.cervantes@doh.wa.gov An onsite well review will be required for the system as well as the appropriate covenants. (See above). Consumer Confidence ReportsWhat is a Consumer Confidence Report?If you are a customer of a water system that provides water to 15 or more homes, you have a right to know where your water comes from, what is found in your water, and what your water system is doing to deliver safe drinking water. This information can be found in a "Consumer Confidence Report" or "CCR" which is required by water systems to be provided to you by July 1st of each year. For more information about Consumer Confidence Reports requirement, click hereThe following links will take you to Consumer Confidence Reports of our major cities: Other Links:
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About the BFHD 
Benton Franklin Health District