The
Secret of the Hammer Creek Formation
By Troy A. Greiss, MS, CIH, CSP & Craig Hafer, MBA
From the Stepping Stone
- Fall 2008
In researching the Hammer Creek Formation, PICEH reviewed a private report conducted by a licensed environmental company that conducted tests on a private property in Southern Berks County. The results of the tests were alarming. They indicated the property had a low pH condition and the owners installed a system to neutralize the water. But little did the property owners know that this same pH condition was causing heavy metals to leach from the underground geology and introduce lead into the water supply. The low pH in combination with the natural deposit of lead within the bedrock created a geochemical leaching process that dissolved the lead allowing it to flow freely into the well water.
The Hammer Creek Conglomerate is an area that includes parts of Berks, Chester, Lebanon, Lancaster and Dauphin counties. A previous study, the Groundwater Resources of the Gettysburg and Hammer Creek Formations, Southeastern Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Geologic Survey Water Resource Report 49, 1980) indicates that dissolved lead concentrations in groundwater within these formations were found to range between 0.002 and 0.071 mg/L.
As it turns out, the citizen who contacted the Institute only validated previous studies regarding the water quality of the area. It was confirmed that many of these residents do not use municipal water supplies, but rely on private wells. Even as it was only by a fluke event that this resident had his water tested for metals, it demonstrates the need for private property owners to test their water regularly.
Fortunately, due to the acidity of the water, the property owner installed a water treatment system, which not only neutralized the water but also removed the lead before it entered the household plumbing and influenced the health of the family. Since this is an isolated event, we are not sure how many property owners in the area utilize water treatment systems and even if they do, are they being maintained?
Also, many property owners that have water treatment systems often do not run the water that they use for outdoors through the water treatment systems. They circumvent the water treatment system trying to save money; however, this allows lead to get onto the property and into gardens and areas where children play. Since lead does not dilute in the environment and can accumulate on property, we strongly encourage all property owners to first test their water for heavy metals before deciding to use untreated water on their properties.
Water testing is easy to do and affordable. There are several basic tests that can be performed. The following is a list of examples related to some of the more routine types of tests for well water supplies:
Microbiological testing for coliform should be performed annually to determine if any bacteria are present in the water supply.
To determine impact of nearby agricultural operations or onsite septic systems, private well users should have their water analyzed each year for nitrates/nitrites.
The pH level of water should be checked to determine whether your water is acidic. Water with a low pH (less than 7.0) may have problems with leaching of metals (copper, lead, etc.).
If there is a gas station nearby (within ¼ mile) well water should be tested for volatile organic compounds.
If you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem, have your water analyzed for radon. If radon is detected, you as a homeowner may also want to have the indoor air quality tested for radon.
Costs associated with testing range from a standard potable test, $50 to $80, to a FHA type test (coliform, metals, etc.) in the range of $130 to $150 per test.
Check your local telephone directory or Google “Well Water Test Service” to find a water quality professional and/or an accredited private testing laboratory to test your well-water quality. Companies are familiar with the testing of residential properties and how to mitigate any property specific issues. These companies can also provide a price quote on the service provided and give professional input as to the type of treatment system that will best serve your treatment needs.
The conclusion of this review is that PICEH believes that the Commonwealth needs to do a thorough study of the extent of lead within the Hammer Creek Formation and to establish the extent that private wells utilize water from the formation and may be exposed to lead and other heavy metals. This review is not thorough enough to fully address the scope of the issue, nor can we provide any indication as to how to address the problem of naturally occurring lead in the Hammer Creek Formation. The only conclusion that we can confidently assert is that private property owners need to be proactive in testing their water.
