Where to test drinking water for suitability. Analysis of water from a well and a well: how and where to deliver water

In terms of its importance for humans, water is second only to air. We drink this liquid every day, because our body cannot exist without it.

If the water contains impurities hazardous to health, then from life-giving moisture it turns into a slow-acting poison. For this reason, the analysis of water from a well is of paramount importance for residents of cottage settlements and summer cottages.

The one who believes that it is enough to carry out this procedure once after a well has been dug or a well has been drilled on the site is mistaken. The chemical and bacteriological composition of groundwater is constantly changing.

Therefore, you should not relax for a long time after receiving positive test results. Neglected neighbors who dug a cesspool near your site and torrential rains washing away fertilizers from the fields can dramatically degrade the quality of drinking water in your well.

How to analyze water from a well or well quickly and efficiently, how samples are taken, and what contaminants pose the greatest danger, we will consider in our article.

To drink or not to drink - that is the question?

This Hamlet's dilemma also holds true for the water we draw from the well.

The first and simplest stage of drinking water quality analysis is known to everyone. Scientifically, it is called organoleptic research. Every owner of the estate can carry it out.

To do this, just pour water into a clean glass jar and look through it at the sunlight. If the liquid is transparent, has no floating particles, an extraneous color cast and an unpleasant odor, it is boiled and looked at the surface. A thin colored film on it signals the presence of oil products in the underground aquifer. This phenomenon is not uncommon for estates located near busy highways or oil depots.

After a visual assessment, the water is tasted. If it does not have an unpleasant aftertaste, then the first stage of the analysis can be considered complete.

Laboratory methods for analyzing drinking water allow us to identify what our eyes cannot see and taste buds cannot sense. This is the presence of harmful viruses, bacteria and microbes in the drinking fluid. Visually and to the taste, the water can be completely normal, but at the same time it does not meet sanitary standards.

We will also have to upset the owners of artesian wells. The technogenic load on the soil today is such that even at a depth of several tens of meters, there are dangerous biological and chemical pollution. Constant companions of artesian wells - iron and manganese require the use of neutralizing reagents. Their number can only be established after conducting an accurate chemical analysis. Therefore, you should not rely only on the depth of your well. Better to spend a reasonable amount of money on comprehensive research.

The answer to the question of where to take water for analysis is very simple. The verdict on complete bacteriological safety can only be given by the SES (Sanitary and Epidemiological Service). It is to this organization that all owners of home wells and artesian wells should contact.

In addition to microbiological, several other important types of research are practiced here:

General analyzes assess in detail the organoleptic properties of water (hardness, absence of oil products, concentration of iron, nitrates, manganese, calcium, silicon, magnesium, sulfides and pH level).
Chemicals allow you to accurately determine the amount of chloroform, free chlorine, silver and other elements.
Radiological are aimed at detecting increased concentrations of radionuclides, primarily the natural radioactive gas radon.
Toxicological determine the absence or presence of lead, phenols, pesticides and aluminum in water.

It is possible to analyze the quality of drinking water for one of the listed categories of pollution, or you can order a comprehensive study that will give an exhaustive answer to all questions.

The specialists of the sanitation station can go to your home, or, at your request, they can provide sterile containers for self-sampling. In the second case, the total cost of services will be lower.

What do you need to know for self-sampling of water?

By observing a few simple rules, you will be able to correctly select a test water sample for research in laboratory conditions:

The optimal capacity of glass or plastic containers for complex analysis is 1.5 - 2 liters;
The container must be thoroughly rinsed with water, from which the sample will be taken, without using cleaning agents and detergents;
To prevent stagnant water from entering the container, you need to pump out water from the source within 10-15 minutes;
Water is poured into the container in a thin stream along the wall to avoid saturation with atmospheric oxygen;
The liquid should fill the container under the lid so that there is no air in it that would distort the test results.
The most accurate result can be obtained provided that the time interval between sampling and its examination is minimal (no more than 2-3 hours). If you do not fit within this period, then the sample should be placed in the refrigerator. In this case, its shelf life does not exceed 12 hours.

The sampling procedure for microbiological analysis is more complex. To carry it out, you need to take a sterile container from the laboratory.

The process of collecting water consists of the following operations:

wash their hands with soap;
without touching the neck of the bottle with your hands, remove the cotton-gauze plug from it;
the bottle is filled with water up to the "shoulder", closed with a rubber stopper (comes with a paper cap);
the cap is fixed with an elastic band on the neck;
the bottle is marked with the location, time and date of collection;
the sample must be brought to the laboratory within 2 hours from the moment of filling (in the morning). If it is not possible to deliver promptly, the shelf life in the refrigerator is a maximum of 6 hours.

The full picture, as we have already said, can only be given by a comprehensive analysis of water carried out by the SES or in any laboratory accredited for such research.

At home, this work can also be done, but for a limited number of indicators. To do this, you need to buy a special kit for express analysis of water. It consists of special reagents and test colorimetric rulers. The research procedure takes no more than 10 minutes and is available even to an unprepared person.

The test kit can determine the following parameters of water from a well or well:

rigidity;
chromaticity;
manganese;
ammonium;
general iron;
fluorides;
nitrates.

There are a number of portable photometer instruments available for assessing water quality. Unfortunately, they are quite expensive (from 60,000 to 200,000 rubles), so they are used by laboratories to conduct analyzes in the field.

Estimated cost of analyzes

The definition of water quality should be approached in a differentiated manner. If you are concerned about its bacterial composition (the proximity of cesspools, toilets, agricultural enterprises), then you can order an analysis only for microbiological parameters. Its average price ranges from 1,800 to 2,000 rubles.

The minimum chemical analysis for 9 indicators (turbidity, odor, oxidizability, color, hardness, pH level, manganese, iron +2, iron +3) will cost you from 1,000 rubles. The average cost of an extended study of the chemical composition (by 18 indicators) is from 2,500 to 3,000 rubles.

The laboratory performs a comprehensive analysis of the quality of drinking liquid for 5,000 - 7,000 rubles.

When using well water, the key issue is its quality. Indeed, it may contain chemical elements and pathogenic microorganisms that can harm human health. It is possible to be confident in the safety of household members only after conducting research on its composition. How to correctly analyze water from a well and disinfect it after checking, we will consider in more detail.

Water quality analysis services are performed by both public and private organizations. Each federal district has accredited laboratories that are authorized to conduct such research.

These include:

sanitary and epidemiological stations;
geological laboratories;
laboratories in regional branches of Vodokanal;
in organizations related to geological exploration;
laboratories at research institutes;
accredited laboratories of Rospotrebnadzor.

The price depends on the type of research. The analysis can be abbreviated, aimed at identifying a specific group of substances, or complex, including chemical and microbiological research.

In each of the listed institutions there are reagents permitted by the requirements of GOST and special equipment for the study of water quality.

A biological group check will cost about one and a half thousand rubles. A full assessment of the state will come out about three thousand. In private laboratories, the cost of the service can be more expensive.

When choosing a laboratory, you should be guided by two parameters, these are:

Location and remoteness of the organization- after all, the key to the reliability of the results is the speed of delivery of the sample to the laboratory.
Positive reputation- it is a guarantee of the quality of research. Copies of passports and certificates can be requested from the manager of the selected organization.

Having decided on the choice of the laboratory, it remains only to agree with the staff on the day of delivery of the sample so that the analysis is carried out as soon as possible.

Sampling for analyzes

Select the off-season period to sample the source and determine the water quality. In the spring and autumn months, surface waters are the most polluted. If they have the opportunity to penetrate the mine, then they will definitely affect the composition.

To check the quality of water from a newly built well, water for analysis should be taken no earlier than 3-4 weeks after it was put into operation.

Water control is performed only after a 3-week period of operation of the hydraulic structure. During this period, the pollution of the mine, which has arisen during the construction work, will subside, and the water will be partially purified.

To obtain reliable results from the well water test, it is important to correctly draw a sample. To do this, you need to adhere to a number of simple rules:

The container for the intake of liquid should be made of transparent colorless glass or plastic. It can be a 2 liter bottle of mineral or distilled water, or a 2 liter glass bottle. It is unacceptable to use for these purposes eggplants from sweet and low-alcohol drinks, if they have not been previously washed without the use of detergents.
When taking water from a well with a bucket, try to let it go a little lower than usual. This decision is explained by the fact that closer to the surface the water may be stagnant, and at the very bottom it may include silt impurities. Therefore, the "golden mean" will be the best option.
Before filling the dishes, they are rinsed with selected water. Well water is poured into the bottle in a thin stream so that it flows smoothly along the inner wall of the container. Free-flow supply will prevent the saturation of water with oxygen from the air, thereby preventing the occurrence of chemical processes.
The bottle is filled with liquid to the very neck so that an air lock does not form in the container. If you are using a plastic bottle, slightly squeeze the sides of the container to squeeze out the air before sealing it tightly with the lid.
Water taken from the well should be delivered to the laboratory within the next 2-3 hours. The faster the liquid enters the laboratory, the more reliable the results will be. If this is not possible, place the container on the shelf in the refrigerator - this will reduce the reaction rate.

The maximum shelf life of a sample is up to two days. Temperature fluctuations should be avoided during the storage period.

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The biochemical processes taking place in the selected sample can affect the change in the composition of the liquid. To prevent this, it is advisable to wrap the bottle with the selected liquid with a piece of dark fabric or polyethylene that will not let the sun through.

A cover note should be attached to the well water bottle. In it, indicate the place (address), type of source and the exact date of water sampling.

Under the influence of light rays, biochemical processes begin to occur in water, caused by the work of microorganisms living in it.

Key quality indicators

To get a complete picture and determine how good the water from the well is for human consumption, you can perform a comprehensive analysis, which consists of two parts - chemical and microbiological research.

General chemical analysis

Chemical analysis allows you to determine whether the water complies with the current sanitary rules and regulations (SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01). Well water quality standards establish the maximum allowable amount of substances, as well as its sanitary and organoleptic characteristics.

Chemical analysis helps to determine the level of inorganic components that affect the quality of the studied aquatic environment

During the chemical analysis, the following indicators are determined:

PH- pH value. The development and vital activity of microorganisms depends on it, as well as the more aggressive action of water on concrete and metals. Normally, the hydrogen concentration indicator should be 6-9 units.
Turbidity- characteristic of the relative transparency of water. It depends on the presence of mechanical impurities in the form of suspended particles of silt deposits, algae, clay and microorganisms.
Chromaticity... The color of the water is associated with the content of humic substances and iron compounds in it. The color intensity of the sample is determined based on the color scale. It can vary from a few units to tens of thousands of degrees.
Rigidity- the concentration of salt particles of magnesium and calcium in the liquid. An environment with increased hardness provokes the formation of limescale on heating appliances.
Total mineralization... It indicates the total content of minerals found in the sample. Mineralization is characterized by such an indicator as dry residue.
Permanganate index- oxidizability of water. It is a measure of the pollution of the aquatic environment with organic and oxidizable inorganic substances.

The basic research methodology implies an assessment of 16 indicators, the extended one includes more than 30.

One of the main indicators of water in the study of organoleptic qualities is its smell.

It is hard to imagine, but laboratory specialists are able to distinguish over 50 shades of odor of natural and artificial origin.

The smell and taste of surface water directly depends on the chemical composition of impurities, as well as the concentration of decaying plant residues and dead microorganisms dissolved in the water.

Microbiological components in the composition

Microbiological analysis includes a wide range of studies aimed at identifying pathogenic microorganisms and viruses that can harm human health

The suitability of well water is determined by three main parameters:

Total microbial count- there should be no more than 50 of them per unit volume.
Thermotolerant coliform bacteria- reveals the content of microorganisms hazardous to health. The indicator must be zero.
Common coliform bacteria Is an indicator of faecal contamination. It must also be zero.

Conducting a microbiological study is especially important if the well has a depth of within 10 meters. This is due to the fact that protozoa and various bacteria multiply much faster in surface waters.

In addition, well water should be checked for the concentration of fertilizers, surface detergents and oil products. These substances often enter the mine during heavy rainfall.

Methods for purifying water from impurities

Having received a protocol with the study parameters and an indication of the maximum permissible values in accordance with SanPiN, they proceed to the choice of a method of how to competently disinfect the water in the well and clean it of impurities. The choice of method depends on the cause of the pollution.

But in any case, before carrying out chemical treatment and installing filters, the well is mechanically cleaned.

The method involves cleaning the bottom and walls of the well by scraping off the accumulated layers, followed by washing the structure.

The cleaning procedure is best carried out in early spring, before the snow melts or at the end of summer, when the lowest groundwater level is observed.

Mechanical cleaning of the well shaft includes a number of main stages:

Pump out water from the well. This can be done manually by scooping up with a bucket or using a drain pump. But it should be borne in mind that it will not be possible to completely empty the mine - there will always be a small layer of water at its bottom.
They clean the walls of the structure. It is better to do the work together: the first worker, wearing a protective suit, goes down into the mine, and the second one insures him on the surface and takes the filled buckets. It is convenient to clean the walls of the well from mud or silt deposits with a metal brush or scraper.
Replace the bottom filter. To do this, remove layer by layer of silt-covered stones of the bottom filter and remove them from the mine. Instead of the old bottom filter, a new layer of fine crushed stone is lined with neutral materials such as jadeite or river pebbles.
Strengthen the shaft rings and seal the seams. If cracks are detected, the defects are eliminated by covering them with cement mortar. When displacement of the rings relative to each other is detected, the structure is strengthened by pulling together the elements with metal brackets.

When replacing the bottom filter, natural sorbents can be used instead of conventional gravel. Petrified oil or shungite has proven itself in water purification systems.

Using shungite when arranging a bottom filter, you can solve two problems at once: filter water, purifying it of pesticides and oil products, and enrich it with useful minerals

Disinfection of the walls of a hydraulic structure

After completion of mechanical cleaning and elimination of leaks, disinfection of the structure is carried out. It is carried out by applying a disinfectant solution to the inner walls of the mine, followed by treatment of the well water.

Mine walls are treated with a bleach solution obtained by diluting 20 grams of powder in a liter of cold water

The solution is prepared in a glass or enamel bowl and insisted under a tightly closed lid for 1-2 hours. For disinfection, use only the layer of the mixture that has surfaced closer to the surface. In the case of using pure chlorine to obtain a 2% solution, the powder is diluted at the rate of 3-5 grams per 1 liter of liquid.

It is convenient to use a wide brush and a fur roller to apply the solution. The entire surface should be covered evenly. The bottom filter is treated with the rest of the solution.

Well water disinfection

If the analysis of the liquid showed contamination with bacteria, after mechanical cleaning and disinfection of the walls of the hydraulic structure, it is necessary to disinfect the water as well. The easiest way is to disinfect it with bleach.

For this, the treated shaft is re-filled with water. Then a more concentrated solution is poured into it, obtained by diluting 200 grams of powder per liter of water. To disinfect water, an average of 500 ml of solution is consumed per cubic meter of liquid.

Chlorine-treated water must not be eaten. Before putting the mine into operation, it will have to be emptied again and filled from scratch.

Mixing the chlorine solution with water in the mine is performed by scooping it up with a bucket and pouring the contents back into the well.

The neck of the well with the solution introduced into the water is covered with a lid wrapped in plastic wrap and left for a day. Such measures will keep the mine cool, thereby preventing chlorine from escaping.

If, after filling the well, the smell of chlorine is still present in the water, it is better to pump out the liquid again and wait until the structure is filled with a new portion of groundwater.

The disinfection of the structure can also be carried out with the help of special preparations such as "Ecobriz-Oxy" or "Aquatabs".

Concentrated preparations for obtaining disinfectant solutions are simply diluted with water and used according to the same technology as in the treatment with bleach. In the first 5-7 days after disinfection, it is advisable to boil well water before eating it.

If it is not possible to purchase special products, use the usual "Whiteness" - a whitening product created on the basis of the same chlorine

To obtain a solution of the required dosage, half a bottle of "Whiteness" is diluted in a ten-liter bucket with cold water. The volume of solution required to process the contents of the entire mine is determined at the rate of 1 liter of the resulting liquid per 1 ring of the well.

The resulting solution will not be inferior to its more expensive counterparts in quality and efficiency.

Decreased iron concentration

There are many ways to remove iron from water. But they are all based on the acceleration of oxidative processes aimed at ensuring that iron passes into a trivalent state. In this form, iron-containing products precipitate as solid particles, which can only be filtered out.

The easiest way to remove iron is to use strong oxidants. They destroy iron compounds, transforming them into a trivalent state. Chlorine is most commonly used as an oxidizing agent. The toxic reagent is capable of destroying not only iron compounds, but also divalent manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and many other substances of organic origin.

For deferrization, special filters are used, the inner walls of which are covered with a layer of an oxidizing agent. In contact with the surface, the iron reacts, as a result of which it becomes a sediment and is easily cleaned by the filter material.

The reverse osmosis unit helps to successfully solve the problem.

A reverse osmosis system, equipped with a semi-permeable membrane or filters, is able to purify water from high concentrations of iron without the use of chemical oxidants

The aeration method has also proven itself well. It is carried out by introducing air into water using a compressor that creates atmospheric pressure drops. To do this, water in the well is sprayed with special installations by means of gushing or spraying.

Removal of hydrogen sulfide from liquid

Hydrogen sulfide is a waste product of anaerobic bacteria. Sulfur bacteria live at the bottom of the well, where oxygen is not supplied.

Experts offer two ways to solve the problem:

Physical- assumes the saturation of the liquid with air. Forced aeration helps kill sulfur bacteria and further oxygenate the water, making it healthier. To implement this method, you will have to purchase expensive equipment.
Chemical- involves the use of disinfectants and oxidants: sodium hydrochloride, hydrogen peroxide or ozone. It provides the most complete degassing. Under the action of oxidants, hydrogen sulfide compounds are converted into less active forms.

A liquid that has undergone chemical purification must undergo additional filtration through active carbon. For water purification, both carbon filters equipped with activated carbon and filters with granular filler are used.

Treatment of water with a solution of potassium permanganate helps to eliminate the problem. Potassium permanganate powder is first diluted in a three-liter jar to obtain a concentrated solution of a saturated purple color, and then poured into a well. Subsequently, to prevent the formation of colonies of bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide, it is recommended to periodically "blow" with compressed air.

Video reviews of ways to disinfect well water

Equipment for the control of harmful impurities:

Reagent-free water treatment method:

Which filter to choose for cleaning dirty water:

In the future, in order to maintain the proper water quality in the well, analysis of its aquatic environment should be carried out annually. This will allow you to control the quality of the water used, and in case of its deterioration, take timely measures to improve the situation.

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