Have you tested your well water for arsenic? If you have never tested your well water for bacteria,...
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Transcript of Have you tested your well water for arsenic? If you have never tested your well water for bacteria,...
How to Test Your Well Water1. Call a lab.
• Callacertifiedlabandaskforanarsenictestkitforyourwellwater.Youcanfindalabatthiswebsite:wellwater.maine.gov.OrcalltheMaineLabCertificationOfficerat207-287-1929.
• Ifyouhavenevertestedyourwellwaterforbacteria,nitritesandnitrates,orotherchemicalslikeradon,uraniumandflouride,askyourlabforatestkitforallofthese.
2. Do the test.•Yourtestkitwillarriveinthemail.Itwillhaveemptybottles,directionsandformstofillout.
• Followthedirectionsandmailthebottlesbacktothelabwiththeforms.
•Watchavideoonhowtodoawatertest:youtube.com/user/MainePublicHealth
3. Get your results.•Yourtestresultswillcometoyouinthemail.• Ifyouhavetoomucharsenicinyourwater,orifyouarenotsureyouunderstandyourtestresults,call866-292-3474(toll-freeinMaine)or207-287-4311tospeaktoanexpert.
Why Arsenic is BadPeoplewhodrinkwaterwithtoomucharsenicformanyyearsaremorelikelytogetcancer.Arseniccancauseskin,bladderandlungcancers.
Itmaycauselowbirthweightandaffectbraindevelopmentinbabiesifpregnantwomendrinkwaterwithtoomucharsenicinit.Arseniccanalsoaffectbraindevelopmentinyoungchildren.Otherproblemsfromdrinkingwaterwithveryhigharseniclevelsinclude:stomachpain,nausea,diarrhea,numbnessortinglinginthehandsandfeetandchangesinskin.
Yourchanceofhavinganyofthesehealthproblemsdependson:• howmucharsenicisinyourwater;• howmuchwateryoudrink;• howlongyouhavebeendrinkingthewater.
Solving Arsenic ProblemsThereareactionsyoucantaketoprotectyourfamilyifyourwaterhastoomucharsenic.First,youcanswitchtobottledwaterfordrinkingandmakingdrinks.Thiswillallowyoutimetodecideifyouwanttoinstallawatertreatmentsystem.Callusat866-292-3474(toll-freeinMaine)or207-287-4311ifyouhavehigharsenic.Wecanhelpyoudecidehowtosolvetheproblem.
Your water looks, smells and tastes fine. So why do you need to test it?Itishardtobelievethatwaterthatlooks,smellsandtastesfinemaynotbesafetodrink.Butthetruthisthat1in10wellsinMainehaswaterthatishighinarsenic.TherearewellshighinarsenicinallpartsofMaine.
Protect your family. Test your well for arsenic every 3 to 5 years.
Have you tested your well water for arsenic?
Protect your family. Test your well.• For more information: wellwater.maine.gov• Call for advice: 866-292-3474 • TTY: Call Maine Relay 711
April2015