Encouraging Mainers to Test their Well Water

Eric Frohmberg

Maine Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

• 5% of all wells in Maine have too much uranium.

• More than ½ of all wells in Maine may have a radon problem.

Problem

• 10% of all wells in Maine have too much arsenic.

• 40 to 50% of Mainers are on a private well

Brochure Development

• Developed with stakeholders, focus groups and key informants.

• Written using easy to read techniques.

• Cover – eye catching, core message, contact info.

• Bacteria test is a surrogate for surface water or septic contamination.

• Why every 3 to 5 years?

•Arsenic is a known human carcinogen.

•10% of all wells in Maine above 10 ppb arsenic.

• Maine has hotspots.

• This can be fixed.

Arsenic

• Lower well water guidance from 20,000 pCi/L to 4,000 pCi/L

• Emphasize air treatment at 2 pCi/L.

• 5% of all wells in Maine above 20 ppb.

• Also find uranium hot spots.

• Health effect of concern is kidney effects

• Again, treatable.

• About 100 clinically lead poisoned children per year in Maine.

• “Typical” lead well water problem house is early ’80s with bad pH.

• EPA has an MCL of 4 mg/L and a secondary MCL of 2 mg/L.

• NAS decided that 4 mg/L is not protective and recommended EPA re-evaluate 2 mg/L.

• Our MEG is based on dental fluorosis.

Distribution

• Mailed to town offices

• BRFSS Survey

Evaluation

QUESTIONS

Eric FrohmbergPhone (tollfree in Maine)1-866-292-3474Email: ehu@maine.gov

http://wellwater.maine.gov