Are you one of the many bottled water users? According to a study on the EPAs web site you are paying $2.29 or more per gallon compared to a penny a gallon from the tap. The highest reason listed was convenience.

In Kitsap we have a large number of private wells and a lot of them have the three yucks: Iron-causing red or brown stains; Manganese — Black stains; or the rotten egg smell of Hydrogen sulfide. These are common to our area and can be dealt with, with water softeners and iron filters.

In the homes we build we use reverse osmosis at the sink as well. These are great for getting the bottle water taste without the cost and can remove just about everything.

Large water providers are required to test their water quality. With private wells comes the requirement to test your water yourself. The most common issues are the bacteria and nitrate testing. Nitrates are from lawn and farming chemical run off and can enter wells.

Coliform and E.coili bacteria tests should be performed annually. Both can be tested at the Health Dept for free but there is a small charge for the sterile bottles. Also you may have a restriction on the well you have as to the landscaping you can do. These are recorded at the Health Dept.

A broader test can be done to cover chemical and other contaminates but you must use a private lab. There is a list of labs on the health department web site.

A few “Well Maintenance” hints are:

• Periodically inspect exposed parts of the well for cracked, worn or missing parts on the well casing and seals.
• Slope the area around the well head away from the well.
• Keep pesticides fertilizers, herbicides, fuels and other contaminates away from the well.
• Do not flush these same items down the toilet as a septic system is not designed to handle these.

   Water quality, whether excess Iron or E.coli, can impact your health. A little education and annual testing will go a long way for peace of mind.

(Editor’s Note: Rick Courson is the owner of Cedar Bay Homes and specializes in custom, Built Green homes. A nationally recognized Green Building pioneer who speaks nationwide on the subject, he is also the current president of the Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County. He may be reached at (360) 698-8242 or R_Courson@msn.com.).