USING BALI GROUND WATER

Where Do Ground Water Pollutants Come From?

Understanding and spotting possible pollution sources is important. It’s the first step to safeguard drinking water for you and your family. Some threats contaminants such as minerals can present a health risk. Other potential sources come from past or present

human activity — things that we do, make, and use — such as mining, farming and using chemicals. Some of these activities may result in the pollution of the water we drink.

Several sources of pollution are easy to spot by sight, taste, or smell. However many serious problems can only be found by testing your water.

Knowing the possible threats in your area will help you decide on the kind of tests you need.

What are Some Naturally Occurring Sources of Pollution?

Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, parasites and other microorganisms are sometimes found in water. Shallow wells — those with water close to ground level — are at most risk.

Runoff, or water flowing over the land surface, may pick up these pollutants from wildlife and soils.

This is often the case after flooding or in over crowed tourist area.

Some of these organisms can cause a variety of illnesses.

Symptoms include nausea and diarrhea. These can occur shortly after drinking contaminated water. The effects could be short-term yet severe (similar to food poisoning) or might recur frequently or develop slowly over a lon) g time.

Bali is interested in a important Escherichia coli well pollution ( fecal contamination) and in many area the presence of amoeba and others parasites is important.

A neglected parasitic infection can have devastating results. Please click on http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/travelers.html

Nitrates and Nitrites: Although high nitrate levels are usually due to human activities (see below), they may be found naturally in ground water.

They come from the breakdown of nitrogen compounds in the soil.

Flowing ground water picks them up from the soil. Drinking large amounts of nitrates and nitrites is particularly threatening to infants (for example, when mixed in formula).

Heavy Metals: Underground rocks and soils may contain arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and selenium.

However, these contaminants are not often found in household wells at dangerous levels from natural sources.

(Take care of small metal plating laboratories in your area!! They don’t have any waste water treatment and the dump huge amount of dangerous metals)

Fluoride: Fluoride is helpful in dental health, so many water systems add small amounts to drinking water.

However, excessive consumption of naturally occurring fluoride can damage bone tissue. High levels of fluoride occur naturally in some areas.

It may discolor teeth, but this is not a health risk.

Seawater intrusion into aquifers

The south area near Kuta is interested in sea water infiltration in the aquifer. it mean that the sea water enter in the acquifer and increase the total

salt content. At low concentration is not a health risk but is and indicator or low well water quality and can damage water heater, valves seal, etc

What Human Activities Can Pollute Ground water?

Bacteria and Nitrates:

These pollutants are found in human and animal wastes. Septic tanks can cause bacterial and nitrate pollution. So can large numbers of farm animals. Both septic systems and animal manures must be carefully managed to prevent pollution. Sanitary landfills and garbage dumps are also sources.

Children and some adults are at extra risk when exposed to water-born bacteria. These include pregnat women, elderly and people whose immune systems are weak .

Fertilizers can add to nitrate problems. Nitrates cause a health threat in very young infants called “blue baby” syndrome. This condition disrupts oxygen flow in the blood.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs): The number of CAFOs, often called “factory farms,”is growing. On these farms thousands of animals are raised in a small space.

The large amounts of animal wastes/ manures from these farms can threaten water supplies. Strict and careful manure management is needed to prevent pathogen and nutrient problems.

Salts from high levels of manures can also pollute groundwater.

Heavy Metals:

Activities such as plating laboratories and construction can release large amounts of heavy metals into nearby ground water sources. Some older fruit orchards may contain high levels of arsenic, once used as a pesticide. At high levels, these metals pose a health risk.

Fertilizers and Pesticides:

Farmers use fertilizers and pesticides to promote growth and reduce insect damage.

These products are also used on golf courses and suburban lawns and gardens. The chemicals in these products may end up in ground water.

Such pollution depends on the types and amounts of chemicals used and how they are applied. Local environmental conditions (soil types, seasonal rainfall) also affect this pollution. Many fertilizers contain forms of nitrogen that can break down into harmful nitrates. This could add to other sources of nitrates mentioned above. Some underground agricultural drainage systems collect fertilizers and

pesticides. This polluted water can pose problems to ground water and local streams and rivers. In addition, chemicals used to treat buildings and homes for termites or other pests may also pose a threat. Again, the possibility of problems depends on the amount

and kind of chemicals. The types of soil and the amount of water moving through the soil also play a role.

Industrial Products and Wastes:

Many harmful chemicals are used widely in local business and industry.

These can become drinking water pollutants if not well managed. The most common sources of such problems are:

• Local Businesses: These include nearby factories, industrial plants, and even small businesses such as plating laboratories gas stations, batik laboratories and dry cleaners. All handle a variety of hazardous chemicals that need careful management.

Spills and improper disposal of these chemicals or of industrial wastes can threaten ground water supplies.

• Underground Tanks & Piping Leaking:

Petroleum products, chemicals, and wastes stored improperly end up in the ground water. Tanks and piping leak if they are constructed or installed improperly. Steel tanks and piping corrode with age.

Landfills and Waste Dumps:

Older dumpsites may have a wide variety of pollutants that can seep into ground water.

Household Wastes: Improper disposal of many common products can pollute ground water. These include cleaning solvents, used motor oil, paints, and paint thinners. Even soaps and detergents can harm drinking water. These are often a problem from faulty septic tanks and septic leaching fields.

Lead & Copper:

Household plumbing materials are the most common source of lead and copper in home drinking water. Corrosive water may cause metals in pipes or soldered joints to leach into your tap water. Your water’s acidity or alkalinity (often measured as pH) greatly affects corrosion. Temperature and mineral content also affect how corrosive it is.

They are often used in pipes, solder, or plumbing fixtures. Lead can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells.

The age of plumbing materials — in particular, copper pipes soldered with lead — is also important. Even in relatively low amounts these metals can be harmful. EPA rules under the Safe Drinking Water Act limit lead in drinking water to 15 parts per billion.

Chemicals:

Improper handling or storage of Oil, paint thinners, Pesticides or swimming pool treatment chemicals (disinfectants, corrosion inhibitors, etc.) close to your well can cause problems.

Should I Be Concerned?

Individual well owners have primary responsibility for the safety of the water drawn from their wells. They do not benefit from the government’s health protections for water systems serving many families.

These must comply with state regulations for frequent analysis, testing, and reporting of results.

Instead, household well owners should rely on help from local health departments.

The final responsibility for constructing your well correctly, protecting it from pollution, and maintaining it falls on

You, the well owner.

How Much Risk Can I Expect?

The risk of having problems depends on how good your well is — how well it was built and located, and how well you maintain it. It also depends on your local environment. That includes the quality of the aquifer from which you draw your water and the human

activities going on in your area that can affect your well water.

Some questions to consider in protecting your drinking water and maintaining your well are:

• • What distance should my well be from sources of human wastes such as septic systems?
• • How far should it be from animal feedlots or manure spreading?
• • What are the types of soil and underlying rocks?
• Does water flow easily or collect on the surface?
• • How deep must a well be dug to avoid seasonal changes in ground water supply?
• • What activities in my area (farming, touristic hotel, industry) might affect my well?
• • What is the age of my well, its pump, and other parts?
• • Is my water distribution system protected from cross connections and backflow problems?

What Should I Do?

Listed below are the six basic steps you should take to maintain the safety of your drinking water. After the list you’ll

find “how to” suggestions for each point to help you protect your well and your drinking water.

1. Identify potential problem sources

2. Talk with”local experts” ( for exemple BEC)

3. Have your water tested periodically.

4. Have the test results interpreted and explained clearly.

5. Set a regular maintenance schedule for your well, do the scheduled maintenance and keep accurate, up-to-date records.

6. Remedy any problems.

These images to better understand:

Bali ground water 30 years ago