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Private Well Testing
Did you know that the Rhode Island Department of Health recently developed and passed into law new regulations that require Private Drinking Water Systems to test their water?
RI Regulation R-23-1-5.3-PDW
(Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Private Drinking Water Systems) was promulgated in June 2008. The requirement for new construction reporting takes effect 3 months after promulgation and 6 months after promulgation for property transfers. These new regulations “apply to any and all water-well systems that do not meet the definition of public water supply as defined by the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Drinking Water [R46-13-DWQ]…”
Private Water Systems covered by this new regulation:
Commercial/Mixed Use Water Systems
Multi Family/Shared Well Water Systems
Single/Duplex Residence Water Systems
Individual Water Systems
Water Quality Analyses are required for the following circumstances:
Before a certificate of occupancy is issued for a construction
Prior to any sale or transfer of ownership of real estate
Whenever a new well/well field is installed for an existing building
What are you required to analyze for?
Total Coliform |
Alkalinity |
Hardness |
Chloride |
Fluoride |
Iron |
Lead |
Manganese |
Nitrate/Nitrite |
pH |
Specific Conductance |
Sulfate |
TDS |
Turbidity |
VOC (w/MTBE) |
Please contact the Laboratory Director at (401) 785-0241 or email Darlene Capuano at dcapuano@thielsch.com for testing and/or package information. Our Staff is here to help you. |
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Whether you are trying to sell your home, drilling a new well or if you are just curious about your water quality, BAL Laboratory has a testing package designed with your needs in mind.
RI DOH Real Estate/New Well Package |
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Initial Comprehensive Test Package |
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Routine Sanitary Survey Package |
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Recommended every 5-10 years |
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Recommended annually after initial testing |
Total Coliform |
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Total Coliform |
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Total Coliform |
Alkalinity |
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Alkalinity |
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Nitrate |
Hardness |
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Hardness |
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Nitrite |
Chloride |
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Chloride |
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Color |
Fluoride |
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Fluoride |
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Turbidity |
Iron |
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Iron |
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Sodium |
Lead |
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Lead |
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Chloride |
Manganese |
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Manganese |
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Nitrate/Nitrite |
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Nitrate/Nitrite |
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pH |
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pH |
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BASIC Package |
Specific Conductance |
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Specific Conductance |
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Sulfate |
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Sulfate |
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Total Coliform |
TDS |
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TDS |
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Nitrate |
Turbidity |
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Tubidity |
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Nitrite |
VOC (w/MTBE) |
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VOC (w/MTBE) |
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Color |
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Color |
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Turbidity |
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Sodium |
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Manganese |
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Copper |
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Sodium |
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Zinc |
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Sulfate |
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Cadmium |
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Chloride |
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Calcium |
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pH |
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Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons |
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Specific Conductivity |
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Copper |
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Iron |
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Lead |
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Hardness |
Please contact the Laboratory Director at (401) 785-0241 or email Darlene Capuano at dcapuano@thielsch.com for testing and/or package information. Our Staff is here to help you.
In addition to the analyses mentioned above, may we recommend:
Situation |
Recommended tests |
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If household plumbing contains lead or copper pipes, fittings, or solder joints OR
you see staining on fixtures or laundry. |
Test for pH, alkalinity, hardness, lead, copper, iron, and manganese. |
If the plumbing contains galvanized pipes. |
Test for pH, alkalinity, hardness, lead, copper, iron and manganese, zinc, and cadmium. |
If residents at the house have recurring incidents of gastrointestinal illness. |
Test for coliform bacteria, nitrate, and sulfate. Test for copper if blue-green staining is seen around fixtures. |
If water has a metallic taste or appearance. |
Test for hydrogen sulfide, pH, alkalinity, hardness, copper, lead, iron, zinc, cadmium, sodium, chloride, and total dissolved solids (TDS). |
If water has an objectionable odor – Sewage or sulfur odor
If water has an objectionable odor – Petroleum or solvent odor |
Test for coliform, nitrate, hydrogen sulfide, sulfates, and total dissolved solids (TDS).
Test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). |
If water appears cloudy, frothy or colored. |
Test for color, turbidity and detergents. |
If your well is near sea water, road salt storage sites, or a heavily salted highway; or your water tastes salty. |
Test for sodium, chloride, total dissolved solids (TDS,) and specific conductance. |
If you live in an area of intense agricultural use. |
Test for pesticides commonly applied in the area, coliform, nitrate, pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS). |
If your water smells like gasoline or if you live near a gas station or buried gasoline tanks. |
Test for gasoline components, such as MTBE and volatile organic compounds (VOCs- Aromatic Hydrocarbons). |
If your water smells like fuel oil (heating oil). |
Test for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). |
If your well is near a known, or previously- existing dry cleaning facility or dye works. |
Test for chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs-Halogenated Hydrocarbons) and heavy metals. |
If your well is near a dump, landfill, factory, or other industrial operation. |
Test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, sulfate, and heavy metals. |
If you have plenty of data and want to do routine (annual) monitoring. |
Test for coliforms, nitrates, nitrites, sodium, turbidity, and color. |
Please contact the Laboratory Director at (401) 785-0241 or email Darlene Capuano at dcapuano@thielsch.com for testing and/or package information. Our Staff is here to help you.
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