Eastsound water tests bring surprising results

High nitrate levels not associated with caffeine, test finds

Scientific fact has challenged the assumption that the increased level of nitrates in Eastsound well water is caused by a dense concentration of septic fields.

Paul Kamin, General Manager of the Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA), which sells and monitors water memberships in Eastsound admitted, “There’s a logic to that assumption, but not the science to prove that connection.”

Kamin presented the results of the most recent findings to the Eastsound Planning Review Committee on April 2, in which tests for caffeine were run on problem wells in the Blanchard Road area. The tests came up negative for caffeine, to Kamin’s and the certified hydrologists’ surprise.

Earlier, wells which have been monitored for the last year to analyze the threats to the Eastsound aquifer and its recharge capacity, tested with a high concentrate of nitrates in them.

Kamin said that a wide range of options which could contribute to the high levels of nitrates found in the wells (6.77 mg per liter in some wells as opposed to the naturally-occurring 1 mg/liter levels.)

The leading assumption was the high level of nitrates was due to septic systems. Finding caffeine along with the nitrates would indicate the septic systems are the most likely source.
Recent tests for caffeine would demonstrate that finding, Kamin and hydrologists believed.

“We thought that would be conclusive evidence. But the caffeine tests come back non-detect,” says Kamin.

Back at the drawing board, Kamin must consider the possibility of a problem in the testing. “I don’t think we made any mistakes – the chain of custody for accurate sampling was fulfilled.” Edge Analytical in Bellingham and Burlington, a professionally certified lab, conducted the original tests for the nitrates, as well as the caffeine tests.

A December 2008 hydrologist’s report for groundwater monitoring, funded through San Juan County and the Department of Ecology, examined every possible source for nitrates. The report came up with the same conclusion: that the septic systems were the most likely source for the high nitrate levels , especially those found in two wells in the Blanchard Road area.

Tests were conducted at the same depth in three wells within 200 feet of each other. Well 7 tested extremely high, as did Well  13  in a water system for four homes further north along Blanchard Road, a Group B water system that is not part of the EWUA.

The nitrates there were substantially higher, averaging 6 mg/liter for monthly samples over the last year. Kamin said, “The County knows there are 6s [level of nitrates in water] and they are responsible for Group B water systems. At 10 [the residents of the system] wouldn’t be able to drink it.”

Kamin has written Mark Tompkins of the County Health Department asking when they should begin to consider action steps.

Now, EWUA will proceed on three fronts: they’ll double-check the findings of the lab; determine that the wells with the highest nitrate concentrations aren’t contaminated by leaks in the well casing; and monitor half a dozen wells west of Blanchard Road, (outside the Eastsound Urban Growth Area.)

Kamin is “surprised with the success rate” of homeowners willing to have their wells tested when the consequence may be the increased expense of bringing sewer systems in to the neighborhood.

“It’s a contentious issue, depending on whether you see it as a liability or an opportunity,” Kamin said.

These as-yet-untested wells are outside of the UGA, but within the Eastsound Sewer and Water District(ESWD) boundaries. The Sewer District needs the county to identify any problems in that neighborhood before they extend sewer service beyond the UGA boundaries.

The OPAL Commons area east of Blanchard is where the ESWD has begun initiatives to hook up the neighborhood, and Kamin feels the sewer district “is being sensitive to the cost” of hookup, allowing homeowners up to 20 years to pay at a low interest rate.

Sampling from the half-dozen wells to the west of Blanchard may indicate that the two high-nitrate level wells on Blanchard are “just two bad wells.”

Or it may indicate that the aquifer is being contaminated from input further west than initially thought, implicating the need for an expanded sewer system, outside GMA boundaries.

Kamin has been testing the Blanchard area wells monthly because “It’s data we need to know; the nitrates have been consistent and climbing from 4 to 5 to 6 over the last year.”

“There’s a lot of head-scratching here.” Kamin says. EWUA is investigating new tests for groundwater intrusion through failed seals in the well casing. It also hopes to gain more information through a concurrent study commissioned by ESWD, which looks at well logs and analyzes the types of soils that exist in a particular area to determine the “percolation capacity” of the groundwater trickling through.

Kamin says the problem requires “a lot of detective work and there’s not a simple solution.” But he says that the EWUA (and Eastsound dwellers) are faced with two bottom lines:

1) The nitrate level problem may not be linked to septic density.

2) “But the reality is there are indicators that are a cause for concern.”

“The appropriate level of concern is unknown, debatable and perceived differently by the parties that have a stake in this: homeowners, county, community in general, EWUA and ESWD.”

But the high nitrate levels “are coming from somewhere, and we’re getting into a whole lot of money chasing after a problem.

“Wells number 7 and 13 may be the canary in the coal mine, and losing two wells while meeting peak demand and developing new sources is expensive.

Money from the community spent to address the problem could be half a million dollars, at 50 homes paying $10,000 to hook up to the sewer system. But the money to replace the groundwater capacity “would make that look like peanuts,” Kamin says.