Glossary of Drinking Water Tests

(Maximum Contaminant Level = 0.010 mg/L)

Arsenic occurs naturally in New Hampshire and other areas of New England. In fact, arsenic was mined commercially in New England during the 1800s. Arsenic also occurs as a result of human activities. Activities that could have left arsenic residual include orchard spraying (pesticide usage) and coal ash disposal. Generally is not possible to predict if will have elevated arsenic. Arsenic has no smell, taste or coloration when dissolved in water, even at higher concentrations. Only water quality testing can determine its presence and concentration in water.

Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, occurring naturally from the decay of uranium. Testing of the indoor air in your home, or your water supply is the only way to know if the levels entering your home are elevated. Exposure to increased levels of radon for an extended period of time may be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

(Limit = Absent per 100 ml)

The organisms in the total coliform group are called indicator organisms. That is, if present, they indicate that there is a possibility, but not a certainty, that disease organisms may also be present in the water. When absent, there is a very low probability of disease organisms being present in the water. The ability of the total coliform test to reliably predict the bacterial safety of water relative to the hundreds of possible diseases that might be present is critical since it is impossible, in a practical sense, to check separately for every disease organism directly on a monthly or a quarterly basis. The presence of only total coliform generally does not imply an imminent health risk but does require an analysis of all water system facilities and their operation to determine how these organisms entered the water system.

(Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level = 150 mg/l)

Just how clean are those dishes ....

The presence or absence of conventional hardness in drinking water is not known to pose a health risk to users. Hardness is normally considered an aesthetic water quality factor. The presence of some dissolved mineral material in drinking water is typically what gives the water its characteristic and pleasant "taste".

(Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels 250 mg/l for each)

The compound known as "salt" consists of the elements sodium and chloride. Substantially higher levels of sodium and chloride tend to imply contamination by activities of man including road salt storage, use of road salts, and discharges from water softeners. Typical background levels of sodium and chloride for pristine locations in New Hampshire are generally less than 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L respectively.

(Maximum Contaminant Levels = 10.0 & 1.0 mg/l respectively)

Should I be Concerned ...

Should you be concerned with blasting, over development and heavy fertilization areas around me? The answer is yes. Testing is recommended. Elevated and excessive levels have been found in wells and drinking water in these areas.

Have you noticed a blue-green color staining in your tub or sinks? The pH of your water may be acidic, causing the copper to leach from the piping in your home. If your home was built prior to the late 1980's when lead solder was still used in plumbing, your pipes may also be leaching lead.

(Maximum Contaminant Level -= 4.0 mg/L)

(Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level = 2.0 mg/L)

Fluoride is naturally occurring in the bedrock of New Hampshire. Since fluoride is tasteless, colorless and odorless, the only way to determine its concentration is through laboratory analysis. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recommended 1.0 to 1.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) as the optimum beneficial concentration of fluoride in drinking water for dental protection.

(Maximum Contaminant Level = 0.010 mg/L)

Sulfide can be formed naturally as a by-product of the decomposition of organic material possibly aided by the presence of sulfur reducing bacteria. It can also be produced by chemical reactions of soil and bedrock minerals containing sulfur.