How to Test Your Well Water1. Call a lab.

• Callacertifiedlabandaskforanarsenictestkitforyourwellwater.Youcanfindalabatthiswebsite:wellwater.maine.gov.OrcalltheMaineLabCertificationOfficerat207-287-1929.

• Ifyouhavenevertestedyourwellwaterforbacteria,nitritesandnitrates,orotherchemicalslikeradon,uraniumandflouride,askyourlabforatestkitforallofthese.

2. Do the test.•Yourtestkitwillarriveinthemail.Itwillhaveemptybottles,directionsandformstofillout.

• Followthedirectionsandmailthebottlesbacktothelabwiththeforms.

•Watchavideoonhowtodoawatertest:youtube.com/user/MainePublicHealth

3. Get your results.•Yourtestresultswillcometoyouinthemail.• Ifyouhavetoomucharsenicinyourwater,orifyouarenotsureyouunderstandyourtestresults,call866-292-3474(toll-freeinMaine)or207-287-4311tospeaktoanexpert.

Why Arsenic is BadPeoplewhodrinkwaterwithtoomucharsenicformanyyearsaremorelikelytogetcancer.Arseniccancauseskin,bladderandlungcancers.

Itmaycauselowbirthweightandaffectbraindevelopmentinbabiesifpregnantwomendrinkwaterwithtoomucharsenicinit.Arseniccanalsoaffectbraindevelopmentinyoungchildren.Otherproblemsfromdrinkingwaterwithveryhigharseniclevelsinclude:stomachpain,nausea,diarrhea,numbnessortinglinginthehandsandfeetandchangesinskin.

Yourchanceofhavinganyofthesehealthproblemsdependson:• howmucharsenicisinyourwater;• howmuchwateryoudrink;• howlongyouhavebeendrinkingthewater.

Solving Arsenic ProblemsThereareactionsyoucantaketoprotectyourfamilyifyourwaterhastoomucharsenic.First,youcanswitchtobottledwaterfordrinkingandmakingdrinks.Thiswillallowyoutimetodecideifyouwanttoinstallawatertreatmentsystem.Callusat866-292-3474(toll-freeinMaine)or207-287-4311ifyouhavehigharsenic.Wecanhelpyoudecidehowtosolvetheproblem.

Your water looks, smells and tastes fine. So why do you need to test it?Itishardtobelievethatwaterthatlooks,smellsandtastesfinemaynotbesafetodrink.Butthetruthisthat1in10wellsinMainehaswaterthatishighinarsenic.TherearewellshighinarsenicinallpartsofMaine.

Protect your family. Test your well for arsenic every 3 to 5 years.

Have you tested your well water for arsenic?

Protect your family. Test your well.• For more information: wellwater.maine.gov• Call for advice: 866-292-3474 • TTY: Call Maine Relay 711

April2015