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Extension agent, home economics, Helen Smith said. “All results are completely confidential to the homeowner.”
Through tests such as this one, new standards for minerals, bacteria, pesticides and other contaminates or substances can be studied and new results measured. If not for tests such as this one, dixons, pesticides and other chemicals already found to be harmful in certain percentages would never have been established.
Virginia Tech speaker Blake Ross said at an informational meeting April 11 at Rappahannock County High, “some of these things are not health problems now. But it makes us more aware. It lets us see the results” of a water source “over a lifetime.”
“Through these tests, with this information, new standards for drinking water can be established,” the speaker noted, adding through simple tests such as these free water tests acceptable levels of minerals, pesticides and bacteria can be found.
Results for homeowners can be frightening - supposing high contents of minerals or bacteria are found.
Though water problems are not easily controlled, many of the problems can be corrected. County health department director Charles Sheppard explained wells can be upgraded, pipes can be replaced, chlorinator or ultraviolet lights can be used to reduce bacteria. The test results may prompt the homeowner to have further testing.
And, Sheppard added many of the minerals and bacteria possibly found are natural parts of water, used by the body, often required.
Homeowers are not required to do anything with test results.
“It’s all a question of asthestics,” the health director said, of what the homeowner wishes to do with the results.
Mr. Sheppard said the health department encourages people to participate in this test and discover the quality of water they are drinking but in “no way will results be handed-over to the health department.”
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