BoCoPubHealth Letter re: well water

[Silvia]

I gather we all got letters from the BoCoPublicHealth Department telling us of high levels of contaminants "in our area." I would be interested in all comments.... Has anyone in the Bar-K recently tested his/her well, and were high levels found? Is this a continuing problem or a new problem? How are others dealing with it?

Thanks, Silvia

[Kim Renner Busey]

I looked up the companies recommended on the BOCO site and water testing that includes:Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Copper, Gross Alpha, Gross Beta, Fluoride, Hardness, Iron, Manganese, Nitrate, pH, Radon, Total Dissolved Solids, Silica, Lead, Uranium, & Turbidity
is $525. I don't even know if this is what we should be testing for !!!

[GCouture]

I looked up the companies recommended on the BOCO site and water testing that includes:Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Copper, Gross Alpha, Gross Beta, Fluoride, Hardness, Iron, Manganese, Nitrate, pH, Radon, Total Dissolved Solids, Silica, Lead, Uranium, & Turbidity
is $525. I don't even know if this is what we should be testing for !!!

Hi Kim,
    If you are mainly concerned about radiation, you could test for Gross Alpha, Gross Beta, Radon, and Uranium.  If there are issues, you can purchase a reverse osmosis filtration system that removes a majority of these elements.
 

RO systems can remove up to 99% of radioactive elements like radium and uranium.The EPA considers RO to be a "best available technology" (BAT) for removing radioactive particles, including alpha and beta particles, photon emitters, and uranium.

We bought our system for less than $200

[MonikaC]

I spoke with a fellow at EcoWater (one of the companies listed by BPH) & he said to talk to Hazen Technologies in Golden.  I spoke with Hazen & the cost for testing for uranium, gross alpha & combined radium is $320.  You would need to bring 5 liters of water in within a day or 2 of collecting it.  It can be in any kind of container, including old juice containers.  they are at 4601 Indiana in Golden & open M-F 7:30-5:30.  I have an RO system for my drinking water.

[Kara Edin]

I've asked John's Well Service if they test for this, and he will get back to me.
This isn't a small thing.  I found out yesterday that those letters were sent to folks all the way to Lyons.  Because of this, I'm concerned that the water tap in Ward may be contaminated, and perhaps the one in Allenspark, too.  
I appreciate the information on the filtration system, and I'm wondering how this is going to be mitigated from a larger standpoint?

[Kim Renner Busey]

I've asked John's Well Service if they test for this, and he will get back to me.
This isn't a small thing.  I found out yesterday that those letters were sent to folks all the way to Lyons.  Because of this, I'm concerned that the water tap in Ward may be contaminated, and perhaps the one in Allenspark, too.  
I appreciate the information on the filtration system, and I'm wondering how this is going to be mitigated from a larger standpoint?

Thanks, Kara. Let us know what John's Well Service says, please.....

[Kara Edin]

Will do.

[MonikaC]

I heard from Lee at John's Well:


It appears that a summer camp between Ward and Allenspark was the catalyst for this Boulder County letter.   When one of our customers inquired about it, they were informed that all the water in the area comes from the same source.   That is not the case.   We’re not sure how the County determined the area of concern, but these letters were sent to homeowners as far north as Meeker Park and even east to Lyons. 

We have used our supply of test kits but have more ordered.   We can get you in the queue if you want the water tested.   Here is our response to the letter:

Boulder County listed several radionuclides for testing.   The cost for testing that whole package is about $575.   My recommendation is to test just the Gross Alpha and Beta at a cost of $175.   This is a screening test that will tell if any of the radionuclides are elevated.   If Gross Alpha and Beta are low, then the water is OK.   If either is elevated, then we can do more testing for the specific elements.

Reverse osmosis mitigates everything on the list, as well as most other contaminants (except Radon).