Some Pocono homeowners have private water companies that supply their water, but most have individual wells on their properties that no one will check or maintain unless they are hired by the homeowners.
Water wells use ground water as their source of water. Ground water is found in spaces in soil and rock formations. A well works by inserting a pump inside a drilled hole to bring water up through a pipe.
The DEP recommends that homeowners with wells hire a laboratory to test their wells for bacteria at least twice a year. They should also have their p.h. levels tested.
The amount of lead and copper coming out of the faucets inside a home should be monitored as well, especially because children could be harmed by high levels of the elements.
Faucets in vacation homes tend to yield more lead and copper because water sits in led and copper pipes for longer.
It's important for new homeowners to obtain well-drilling records for their property.
Wells can also run dry, so well owners should notify a well driller if their faucets yield little or no water.
More information on wells can be found on the DEP website www.dep.state.pa.us.
The DEP says the following labs in the Poconos run tests on wells:
F.X. Browne, Inc. in Marshalls Creek (570) 588-7900
Pocono Environmental Laboratories (570) 839-2558
Prosser Laboratories, Inc. (570) 629-2981
Sometimes, people with or without private wells are ordered to boil their water before they drink or bath in it. Boil water advisories are issued when too much bacteria is detected in a water sample.