Howard County is in the Wildcat Watershed–United States Geologic Survey Hydrologic Unit Code: 05120107.
For more information, see myEPA.
No one wants to have a contaminated water source. To protect your groundwater, know what common contamination sources are in your household. These could be anything from cleaning products, to fertilizers or pharmaceuticals.
Also, learn how to dispose of them properly. Prevention is much more cost-effective than cleanup.
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) offers these suggestions:
- Do not pour chemicals down the drain or on the ground, take them to a hazardous waste collection site
- Take used motor oil to a recycling center (Advanced Auto in Kokomo also processes used oil)
- Do not flush medications or personal care items down the toilet
What may seem like a small decision today can have large consequences later!
On November 6, 2010 Criterion Water Labs, LLC attended the Indiana Ground Water Association Conference on Understanding Well Problems.
Mr. Stuart Smith, a Ground Water Science Consultant, presented very important information about wells. Mr. Smith is a hydrogeologist and applied microbiologist. He has over 30 years professional experience in ground water and wells. Two area well drillers that I know attended were:
- Armstrong Drilling, Inc., (765) 566-3362
- Ortman Drilling & Water Services, (765) 459-4125
Criterion Water Labs, LLC highly recommend these companies to assist you with your well water needs.
One statement that Mr. Smith made that really stood out was that widespread understanding of the need to care for your teeth was not in practice in America until World War II. Soldiers were issued toothbrushes and information about the health needs of their teeth. Mr. Smith sees a similar awakening of understanding well needs. Your teeth are a blessing not to be taken for granted. So is your well. In general we probably do not think much about the water coming from the tap until it turns colors, starts smelling or stops coming out. There is preventative maintenance that can be done to avoid some major problems and since our ground water supply is connected to ground water of others around us we must take in to account what we dump on the surface and its effect on soil and water underneath. Likewise, we must understand the best that we can what materials we are putting down into a well.
About 80% of the wells in our county are documented, i.e., they have been listed in a directory when they were dug and how deep. Our home well is not, therefore, any work done on it cannot be guaranteed. Sure, it was probably dug when the home was put in but that was before our time in the home and nothing was recorded about it. We are fortunate that we have not had major problems but when the pump went out we became aware very quickly the need for good information.
Freedom to manage your well and therefore your personal water supply may be dependent upon your understanding of your well and your family’s water needs. This is not an overstatement. It is a truth. Ignorance is not bliss. Water is a very, very, very precious commodity. Many countries do not have the access to direct water supplies – clean water supplies in particular – that nearly everyone in America has. I would like to share with you some of the great information I learned at this Indiana Ground Water conference and also what we are seeing in the lab as we test area waters.
The general thought about underground water was that it was “sterile.” Not true!!! Very few water supplies are “sterile.” Maybe the Dead Sea water – maybe. Even the heavily chlorinated water coming in on public water supplies is not sterile. I can show you plates of bacterial growth from public water supply water. Is this bad? Of course not. It just means there is life in the water. Microbiologists are diligently studying what is growing in water and how to better monitor and identify the organisms. Criterion Water Labs, LLC, are certified by the Indiana State Department of Health to test for total coliforms and specifically E. coli in your water. We are also certified to give you a plate number. We can tell you how many heterotrophic bacteria (general bacteria present in water) are in your water supply. Total Coliforms is a general name for a group of bacteria that show up in soils and/or digestive tracts of warmblooded animals. Some of them can make you very sick but most are completely harmless and in fact necessary for normal active breakdown of solids in the soil and the intestines. The HPC count is a quantitative observation of how “clean” a system is – that includes your pipes. Criterion Water Labs, LLC, is looking forward to studying and understanding a wider variety of bacteria groups that are found in area water as another great IUK intern comes on board in January. We have been blessed to have several great interns from IUK already.
At the conference Mr. Smith said that bacteria have been found 3000 ft. below the earth. Glacial sands have abundant biomass and nitrogen. Upheavals over the centuries have introduced organic material deep underground and these materials introduce bacteria to water supplies. There is not much keeping bacteria from moving through the earth. Now, however, it is true that the soils and sands act as fantastic filtering sieves for water as it moves downward but note that cracks exist above and below ground that open up “roadways” for transport. Microbes traveling through these cracks are like “ships in a canal.” The only thing holding them back is that they like to stick to things. They also like to join together and create colonies. The outer surface bacteria in these colonies can take on different shapes and forms as they adjust to different jobs within the colony. It is amazing stuff!!! Just think of it – a million little bacteria working together to survive in a water supply source deep underground or in an up take pipe. They are capable of transferring information and food resources to one another!!!! Don’t let it creep you out. Rejoice and stand amazed at the incredible intricacy of the world God has given us.
Please appreciate your area well drillers and let them help you understand what can be done to insure that your well will stay in great shape for many years to come.
Science is about innovation, and we encourage you to take part in the “Kokomo’s Next First” Challenge! Now through October 17th, think about a product or process you can invent or improve. Then submit your idea to Splash ! Kokomo. Check out the details below!
Kokomo’s Next First is a K-12 educational initiative sponsored by Splash ! Kokomo to encourage Howard County students to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit within our own community–in order to create new and better services and products for our city, state, nation and world.
Assignment Due: October 17, 2012
Step 1
Choose one of the following biology laboratory tools and consider how to innovate an improvement. Or, “create” an entirely new science lab tool invention.
| beaker | forceps | petri dish |
| Bunsen burner | funnel | pipette |
| cover slip | glass slide | probe |
| dissecting pan | graduated cylinder | safety goggles |
| dissecting pin | magnifying glass | safety mask |
| dissecting scissors | medicine dropper | scalpel |
| microscope | test tube | |
| rack | ||
| thermometer | ||
Step 2
Display your work through one of the following three methods:
- A well-written and descriptive paragraph that details your innovation/invention;
- A clearly-labeled and neatly-drawn image with an explanatory sentence or two; or,
- A 3-D model in clay, Styrofoam, cardboard, wood or some other material that depicts your creation.
Several factors should be considered in this assignment—creativeness, neatness, thoroughness. Also, you may utilize method #1 and, in addition, either method #2 or method #3.
Finished projects will be showcased online at www.splashkokomo.com in an article about your biology class and the Kokomo’s Next First challenge.
1. What is the scientific term for “spherical bacteria”?
2. Most bacteria thrive in all but one the following conditions. What is that condition?
A. high nutrient concentrations
B. moderate temperatures
C. darkness
D. dryness
E. community
3. (Select all that apply) When a bacterium divides, its daughter cells have:
A. DNA different from their parent cell, and different from one another
B. DNA different from their parent cell, but the same as one another
C. DNA the same as that of their parent cell, and the same as one another
D. DNA the same as that of their parent cell, but different from one another
E. equal claim to the family inheritance
4. (Select all that apply) When a bacterium is referred to as “aerobic,” this means it requires:
A. sweatpants
B. phosphorous
C. oxygen
D. dihydrogen oxide
E. nitrogen
5. Ship:rudder as cell:_______
A. plasma membrane
B. flagellum
C. capsule
D. pilus
E. cytoplasm
Answers
1. coccus
2. D
3. C, E
4. A, C
5. B
It may have surprised you to have heard that there are such different species of E. coli. The deaths and illlnesses in Europe are being connected with an unusual species of E. coli – a species that is not usually widespread. E. coli is one of many bacteria that are a subgroup of the fecal bacterias. I have seen conflicting data on what is an optimum temperature for this bacteria. I would suspect it is due to the variety within this species – some E. colis may thrive better at 35˚C while others may like 44˚C. Some give off very harmful toxins as they grow and die. Some are harmless to your health. Strange isn’t it? There is still LOTS to learn about even about this much-studied organism.
Let us help you with your total coliform and E.coli testing needs. We also do the county-required Heterotrophic Plate Count. This is a tried and true test for monitoring cleanliness of a water system. Heterotrophic bacteria live in water and many of them can be counted after a 48 hour incubation on agar. Pools in our county have to have a count below 200 colony forming units per ml of water. The total coliform and E. coli test indicate the presence or absence of just one viable bacteria in that group per 100 ml sample.
Some mortgage companies are requiring bacteria, nitrate/nitrite, and/or lead testing of well systems. We can help you get all three of these tests for $100. Do it early in your mortgage process so you have the results ready for closing. We will also let you know the action levels that the EPA has set so you can treat for any problems that you might find by comparing your data to the Maximum Contaminant Levels.
Flooding can cause the introduction of bacteria into your well if the wellhead is invaded. If this happens please let us test your water for potential indicator bacteria. These indicator bacteria (total coliforms) are often found with water-borne pathogens. You will want to call a good well-driller and well-service provider like Mr. Ortman if these bacteria are detected. Wells can be chlorinated but you need someone to calculate the volume of your well and use the proper amount of chemical treatment.
Here it is now almost March. I am writing this on Saturday, February 26th. Life is going by fast!! We hope you are ready for eternity. Please let us know if you have any questions about getting ready. Yes, it is important to be ready for happenings here but one day we will be done and it will be time to meet our Maker.
Water quality can be affected by everything it touches – including the air! Your well is affected by what is happening to the ground water tables and to whatever is poured on the ground. Your home point of use water can be affected by the materials the faucet is made out of and of how long the lines are between the well and delivery. Little tiny biofilms can develop nearly anywhere along the way. Colonies can grow on membranes and filters. AWWWWWWWWW!!! You say, too much information. Information overload!!!!! Well it can be or it can be information that is very useful and needed to help you provide high quality water to your family.
One test we can do that seems to be useful for water conditioner owners is test your conductivity if you have an RO system. For $3 we can tell you what the conductivity is which corresponds to the amount of total dissolved solids. This number can be useful as you monitor the replacement needs of your membranes.
The quality of the salt you use in your softener can be important. Some salts contain “impurities” that are insoluble. You want a great liquid brine in your softener. The better the brine the better the regeneration of the resin beads in your softener. We can do a hardness check on your water and help you figure out how much salt you should be using. Cost for this service varies depending on your needs but is usually less than $30.00.
Let us know how we can help you here in this world or for preparation for what comes after this life!
Well water is a HUGE blessing. We get to put a house pretty much where ever we want it and have one of our great area well drillers connect the home to a great water supply.
You are responsible for the upkeep of that well. It is good to understand the water supply you have the best that you can so that you can condition it if need be for drinking and/or washing needs.
As we learn more we will be summarizing information here about the health of the aquifer system we are all tapping into. It is a fascinating study. We invite anyone to tell us stories here about your well and things you have learned.
The American Water Works Association supports the creation of a federal infrastructure bank with information about the nations water pipe network. This will include more than 1 million miles of water mains in America!
(Thursday, September 09, 2010) DENVER — The American Water Works Association (AWWA) issued a statement yesterday commending President Obama for calling for the creation of a federal infrastructure bank in his Labor Day address, according to a press release.
AWWA has promoted the concept of a water infrastructure bank for nearly two years and urged the president and U.S. Congress to include water projects in his plan.
“There are more than one million miles of water mains buried beneath our roads, stretching 20 times the length of our interstate highways,” said AWWA Executive Director David LaFrance. “Much of our water infrastructure was constructed between 80 and 100 years ago and is nearing the end of its functional lifespan. While transportation funding is important, our water systems, although out of sight, cannot be overlooked. These systems are critical for the public health protection, fire protection, economic prosperity and our overall quality of life.”
EPA Launches Web Forum on Drinking Water Quality Issues
(Wednesday, August 18, 2010) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a web-based discussion forum to gather public input on how the agency can improve protection of drinking water, according to a press release.
EPA seeks input from water professionals, advocates and anyone interested in drinking water quality issues about best solutions for issues facing the nation’s drinking water.
The discussion forum will feature a series of topics based on the four segments of EPA’s drinking water strategy: Addressing contaminants as groups rather than one at a time; fostering development of new technologies; using the existing authority of several statutes to protect drinking water; and partnering with states to share more complete data.
The forum will be open for discussion for about a month, with each topic area being discussed separately, the release stated.
“We look forward to reviewing the ideas and feedback from the public,” said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “This online discussion is for anyone who wants to share their input on protecting drinking water and improving public health.”