WorldWide Drilling Resource

41 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® AUGUST 2019 Water Wells Aer the Flames Adapted from Information by the Water Systems Council and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Wildfires can happen anywhere in the world. If you live in an area affected by wildfires, it’s important for your customers to know what to do after the flames are gone. Until water tests can confirm no contaminants are in the water, well owners should not drink or cook with the water. In fact, well owners shouldn’t touch or turn on any equipment until the system is inspected by a professional. Underground components like the pump may be fine; however, the entire well system needs to be inspected for damage, such as: • Wellhead - casing, cap or seal, and aboveground piping • Tank - pressure or storage tanks (cisterns) • Electrical - wires and control box • Treatment - filters/housing, tanks, chemicals • Well houses - equipment such as chlorinators, filters, or controls • Vents and overflow pipes Only a licensed well contractor should make repairs and determine if the well needs shock chlorination or disinfection after repairs are made. Be sure to remind well owners the shock chlorination/disinfection process will not remove metals, pesticides, or other types of nonbiological contam- ination. Don’t forget to check water treatment systems which may have also suffered damage. At a minimum, water testing should consist of ammonia, bacteria, nitrate, sulfate, and turbidity. However, well owners should also consider testing for iron, metals (arsenic, copper, lead, mercury, zinc), pH, phosphorus, and salts (boron, chloride, sodium) as these contaminants are commonly found in well water following wildfire incidents. Don’t forget, a fire close to the well or upgradient (higher) in the watershed may cause the water to taste earthy, smoky, or burnt. You may want to reassure customers this is to be expected and isn’t likely to cause a direct health threat. The water lines should be thoroughly flushed. WTR Well owners may be overwhelmed when returning after a wildfire. Many won’t consider checking their well. As a water well professional, you have knowledge to make a difference. Photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Phelps.