Guide created to monitor water wells on farm

In Alberta, annual water well sampling is recommended for anyone with a household or farm water well. The NRCB, as regulator, can require monitoring of these wells at confined feeding operations or manure storage facilities. Testing is determined by the NRCB based on the situation and interpretation of the results.

Monitoring programs typically focus on chloride and nitrate-nitrogen, which are found at high levels in manure and can move quickly through soil and groundwater.

These are commonly used as early warning signs of potential issues. Based on provincial data, chloride levels of 120 mg/L or above, or nitrate-nitrogen levels of 3 mg/L or higher, were determined to indicate groundwater may be impacted.

In some cases, the NRCB may also request E. coli and total coliform tests to further evaluate contamination concerns. That includes wells that may be at higher risk due to location or surrounding conditions, wells with rising chloride or nitrate levels, wells showing signs of a problem above the set limit and wells that have previously tested positive for bacteria.

“To make results meaningful, it is important to use consistent sampling methods, test the same indicators and report results the same way each time,” Murray added.

He also recommends using the same accredited lab to reduce variation in results.

The new guide can be found here.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

by Pattison Media

Guide created to monitor water wells on farm

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