Well water and septic: protecting your water in karst country
In much of Rockingham County, the house gets its water from a well and sends its wastewater to a septic system, often on the same lot. That works fine when the septic system is healthy. In the Valley's limestone country, it matters more than in most places.
Why karst raises the stakes
Large parts of the Shenandoah Valley sit on karst: limestone bedrock full of cracks, sinkholes, caves and underground channels. Water can move through it fast. Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation warns that "failing septic systems can contaminate karst groundwater," and that in karst, contaminants can enter groundwater "quickly, with little or no filtration" (Virginia DCR).
In other words, the soil that's supposed to clean up septic effluent can be thin or bypassed. A neglected or failing system can affect your well, or your neighbor's.
How often to test your well
The U.S. EPA recommends testing a private well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH, and more often if young children, older adults, or someone pregnant or nursing lives in the home (EPA).
The EPA says to test right away if:
- You notice a change in the water's taste, color or smell
- There's been flooding, land disturbance or new construction nearby
- You've repaired or replaced part of the well system
- There are known water problems in your area
If a septic system nearby is backing up or surfacing, that's a good reason to test, too.
An affordable way to test: Virginia Household Water Quality Program
Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension run the Virginia Household Water Quality Program, which holds drinking water clinics in counties across the state from February through November each year. Per Virginia Tech, a test kit costs $70, compared with more than $300 at many private labs. The test covers bacteria (including total coliform and E. coli), pH, metals, and nuisance problems like iron, manganese and hardness (Virginia Tech).
Clinic dates vary by county. Check with the Rockingham County Extension office or the program's site at wellwater.bse.vt.edu for the next clinic. Virginia Tech notes that a private lab is better when you need results right away, for a home sale, or when you're worried about specific contaminants.
Protect your well by caring for your septic system
The EPA's advice for well owners includes pumping and inspecting septic systems as often as the local health department recommends, and keeping hazardous chemicals out of the septic system.
- Pump on schedule. Inside Harrisonburg, the city requires pumping and inspection every five years. See the 5-year ordinance. In the county, the Virginia Department of Health's rule of thumb is to pump if it's been more than five years or you don't remember (VDH).
- Never pour paint, solvents, pesticides, motor oil or large amounts of cleaners down drains.
- Fix problems fast. Soggy ground, sewage odors or slow drains mean the system needs attention. See septic problems.
- Know where everything is: your well, tank and drainfield. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Health Department (540-574-5200) may have permit records showing your system's layout.
- Ask before you build or dig. New construction, additions and pools need to stay clear of the well and septic system. The health department can tell you the required distances.
Thinking about selling or buying?
A septic inspection and a lab water test are both smart steps when a home on well and septic changes hands. See septic inspections.
Need a septic company?
Tell us where you are in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County. We'll connect you with an independent septic company to pump or inspect your system. It's free.