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Prevalence of Microbiological and Chemical Contaminants in Private Drinking Water Wells in Maryland, USA

Author

Listed:
  • Rianna T. Murray

    (Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Rachel E. Rosenberg Goldstein

    (Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
    Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Maryland, 2200 Symons Hall, 7998 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Elisabeth F. Maring

    (Department of Family Science, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Daphne G. Pee

    (University of Maryland Extension, University of Maryland, 2200 Symons Hall, 7998 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Karen Aspinwall

    (University of Maryland Extension, University of Maryland, 2200 Symons Hall, 7998 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Sacoby M. Wilson

    (Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Amy R. Sapkota

    (Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

Abstract

Although many U.S. homes rely on private wells, few studies have investigated the quality of these water sources. This cross-sectional study evaluated private well water quality in Maryland, and explored possible environmental sources that could impact water quality. Well water samples ( n = 118) were collected in four Maryland counties and were analyzed for microbiological and chemical contaminants. Data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture were used to evaluate associations between the presence of animal feeding operations and well water quality at the zip code level using logistic regression. Overall, 43.2% of tested wells did not meet at least one federal health-based drinking water standard. Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, enterococci, and Escherichia coli were detected in 25.4%, 15.3%, 5.1%, and 3.4% of tested wells, respectively. Approximately 26%, 3.4%, and <1% of wells did not meet standards for pH, nitrate-N, and total dissolved solids, respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between the presence of cattle, dairy, broiler, turkey, or aquaculture operations and the detection of fecal indicator bacteria in tested wells. In conclusion, nearly half of tested wells did not meet federal health-based drinking water standards, and additional research is needed to evaluate factors that impact well water quality. However, homeowner education on well water testing and well maintenance could be important for public health.

Suggested Citation

  • Rianna T. Murray & Rachel E. Rosenberg Goldstein & Elisabeth F. Maring & Daphne G. Pee & Karen Aspinwall & Sacoby M. Wilson & Amy R. Sapkota, 2018. "Prevalence of Microbiological and Chemical Contaminants in Private Drinking Water Wells in Maryland, USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1686-:d:162495
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303482_9 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Stillo, F. & Gibson, J.M., 2017. "Exposure to contaminated drinking water and health disparities in North Carolina," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(1), pages 180-185.
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    Cited by:

    1. Angela DeRidder & Sowjanya Kalluri & Veera Holdai, 2020. "A Retrospective Chart Review Evaluating the Relationship between Cancer Diagnosis and Residential Water Source on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Patrick Levallois & Cristina M. Villanueva, 2019. "Drinking Water Quality and Human Health: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-4, February.

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