WorldWide Drilling Resource

71 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® AUGUST 2013 Methane and Drinking Water Adapted from Information by the Water Systems Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lately, a lot of attention has been given to methane-laden water wells. Making sure your customers understand what can cause methane to be present and how to eliminate it can be tricky. First of all, it’s important to remember natural methane is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Before it is used as a fuel, methane gas is mixed with an odorant as a safety measure to help detect leaks. However, detecting methane in water can be difficult. In fact, the only way to know if it is present in a water source is to send a water sample to a state-certified labora- tory for testing. In addition to being a large compo- nent of natural gas, methane is part of the natural decomposition process of plant and animal waste. Other sources of methane gas include coal mining, waste- water treatment, landfills, natural gas, and petroleum systems. It can also be emitted from natural sources. Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels produce large amounts of methane as part of their normal digestive process. Wetlands are actually the largest source of naturally-occurring methane gases. Even termites, oceans, sediments, volcanoes, and wildfires produce small amounts of methane. So, are there any health issues re- lated to water containing methane gas? Since it evaporates out of water, methane is not usually considered to present a health threat in drinking water. However, it can become harmful if it escapes from water and builds up in a poorly ventilated or confined area. When present at high concentrations, methane gas acts as an asphyxiate which can cause breathing and other health problems. Another risk at higher concentrations is an explosion danger. Methane typical- ly forms an explosive mixture in the air at concentrations of 5-15% by volume. Other factors such as water temperature, ventilation of the well, air movement, and the composition of the gas determine the exact concentration capable of pro- ducing an explosive hazard. If a water well contains methane con- centrations above 28 milligrams per liter (mg/L), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining suggests imme- diate action to reduce this concentration. Methane concentrations below 10 mg/L are generally considered safe. Wells with levels between 10-28 mg/L should be regularly monitored, and well owners may want to consider treatment to lower the methane level. Treatment options include venting and aeration, and both of these process- es should only be done by a water well professional. Identify Yourself At networking events, meetings, and conferences, you should always have a professional-looking name badge. A badge with a logo reinforces your brand and makes it easier for people to learn your name. www.communicationbriefings.com