Radon
If you live in New York City, Westchester or Connecticut, you may have concerns regarding Radon in your home. Radon is an odorless, radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water.
Temik
Temik was a chemical aldicarb used in the 1970s out on the East End of Long Island. Temik was used to kill potato beetles, which were devastating local crops.
In 1979, well water on the North Fork was found to be contaminated with the substance; scientists believed that because of Long Island’s unusually sandy-soil composition, there was a serious case of seepage into the drinking water. In the 1980s, about 13% of well water was found to still be contaminated, which caused the Department of Health Services to begin installing water filtration systems.
As of 2010, only a small amount of water wells were found to have traceable amounts of Temik.
If Temik is found in your water supply, the Bayer CropScience program pays for the installation and maintenance of a water filtration system.
If you live in any of the following areas and have well water, you may want to consider having your water sampled by one of our Engineers. (The Suffolk Times, 2012).
- Southhold Township (excluding Nassau Point)
- Riverhead Township
- Easthampton Township
Amagansett
Wainscott - Brookhaven Township
East Moriches area of Locust, Woodlawn and Watchogue Avenues
Manorville
Miller Place area of Route 25A
Moriches area of Barnes Road
Mount Sinai areas of Mt. Sinai-Coram Road, Route 25A and Wylde Road
Wading River
Yaphank areas of Dogwood Lane, Rustic Road and Yapank-Middle Island Road - Southampton Township
Bridgehampton
East Quogue
Eastport-East Manor Road
Quogue-Old Point Road
Remsenburg
Sagaponack
Shinnecock Reservation
Southampton
Speonk
Water Mill
Coliform and E. Coli
Both are bacteria that can be found in drinking water.
Coliforms and E. Coli are a particular type of bacteria that can always be found in human and animal digestive tracts, as well as in soil and plant material. It is rare that bacteria such as this makes it into our drinking water or makes us sick but the particular strain known as 0157:H7 can cause serious illness.
Traces are most likely to show up during wet weather so if you choose to test for this bacterium strain, please do it in the spring or summer months. If traces of the bacteria are found, steps should be taken to repair and modify your well system.
Please speak with your Engineer if you have any concerns or questions. (New York State Department of Health, 2011).
Water Potability Test
If your home has a well water system, it is recommended that you have your Engineer perform this test. The Engineer will collect a sample and send it out to an accredited lab to test for levels of pH, Nitrate, Ammonia, Chloride, Metals (Iron, Manganese & Lead) bacteria (Total Coliform, E. Coli).
The test takes seven days to process and a report will be provided to you with the findings.
Modified/Full Certificate of Occupancy Tests
These particular tests are more in depth than the water or individual chemical tests. In order to receive a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), it is important that your Engineer checks for safety hazards or health concerns.
Unsanitary conditions could result in an issue in obtaining proper documentation for your home. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your Engineer.