Drinking

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    Drinking


    SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER

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    Most people in the U.S. get their drinking water from one of two sources: Public Water Supplies or Private Water Systems.

    PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS

    Glass of Water

    Public drinking water systems  provide water to at least  multiple people through a series of connections.  In Utah, a public water supply must include 15 connections, or supply water to 25 or more people, for at least 60 days out of a year.   

    These systems are regulated in multiple ways, including a requirement to meet EPAs safe drinking water limits.  Water is tested at least every year and provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report to all users which discloses any contaminants found, possible health effects, and information about the water’s source.

    • Utah’s ~ 1000 public drinking water systems provide safe drinking water to almost all (over 99%) of Utah residents.
    • Across the country, approximately 155,000 public water systems serve around 286 million people.

    For more information about the regulation and protection of public drinking water systems, See Frequently asked Questions here

     

     

    PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM

    wellhead Less than 1% of Utahns but approximately 15% of all Americans get their drinking water from private wells. These wells, which tap into local groundwater, are designed to provide clean, safe drinking water. Improperly constructed or poorly maintained wells create a pathway for fertilizers, bacteria, pesticides, or other materials to enter the water supply. 

    The EPA and state DEQ do NOT test or track the quality of private wells.  Well owners are responsible for testing their own water.  Well owners are also responsible for protecting their wells from pollution sources. 

                                                           water testing lab in Salt Lake

     WATER TESTING

    To find out the how, what, where, when, and why of water testing, visit our Water Testing webpage.

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    HELPFUL RESOURCES

    See below for resources on keeping good well and septic maintenance records, testing locations, wellhead protection, risks to your water, septic systems and additional resources to ensure safe drinking water.

     

    water testing lab in Salt Lake

    RECORD KEEPING

    These record keeping forms came from the Northern Plains & Mountains Regional Water Program. These folders provide an easy, practical way to keep records of private wells and septic tanks. They contain a description of typical systems, suggestions for maintenance and other information to help keep systems operating.

    Septic Tank Folder

    Water Well Folder

    septic tank

    SEPTIC SYSTEMS

    Septic systems are used to help treat the wastewater from your household plumbing, so it is extremely important to make sure that they are working properly. Explore our Septic Systems page to find things that you can do to make sure your septic system is working properly.

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    wellhead protection

    WELLHEAD PROTECTION

    Wellhead protection is not something to take lightly as it can have consequences on not only your own household but also your neighbors. Visit our Wellhead Protection page to see how you can keep your wellhead safe.

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    Water Quality Interpretation Tool

    WATER QUALITY INTERPRETATION TOOL

    Use our Water Quality Interpretation Tool by clicking the link. It will allow you to enter different data about your water then it will tell you what that data means.

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    Chem Spill

    RISKS TO YOUR WATER

    Not only do your actions affect your water quality, but also the actions of those that live around you. Check out our Risks to Your Water Page to find out what could be lowering your drinking water quality and how you can help stop it.

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    The National Groundwater Association (NGWA)

    CONTRACTOR LOOK-UP

    To find a contractor that can help you properly install the necessary drinking water systems.

     

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    MSU

    WELL EDUCATED

    The Montana State University Extension has put together and incredible program called the Well Educated Program where you can find incredibly useful information regarding your well. 

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    National Water Program Guidance

    NATIONAL WATER PROGRAM GUIDANCE

    The National Water Program Guidance is a guide put together by the EPA with a lot of useful information about safe drinking water. 

    Learn More

     


    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

    For any questions or concerns, you can always contact the Water Quality Extension and they will help answer your questions and point you in the right direction.;