Well Water

[millerag]

The location we are looking at has well water..... and we are concerned that the department of health may require us to sample our well for "biological" contamination. Those of you that brew on "Private" well water have you been required to sample your water? We are in the Harrisburg Pa Area.

[william.heinric]

You should be testing your water anyway. Standards for brewing quality beer are generally higher than local water quality standards.

A good brewery is a model of cleanliness and process control. You should not be worried about being at the back of the pack.

Bill

[millerag]

I never said that we are not going to test our water. I am trying to figure out if I need to be worried that we need to report the results to the department of health. I know ultimately that what we are dealing with is area specific but I am trying to see what others have dealt with in regards to regulatory requirements. Sorry if my original post was vague……sometimes my brain doesn't fully engage.

[callmetim]

We are on well water and the State requires testing. They provided us a list of approved labs. We contacted one, we ordered the containers for an e coli test. Took a sample, paid $20 and gave results to the State and are required to do so annually. Pretty simple. I was worried at the time but it was no big deal. I have since found other issues to obsess about however. I'm sure you will too. Good luck. We are in Wisconsin.

[grassrootsvt]

Same in VT - must test for Coliform, Nitrate, Nitrite, Uranium, etc.
Why are you guys "concerned" or "worried"? It's all part of the process - Potable Water Supply reporting, etc. Are you concerned that it will cost money (because you will soon discover that *everything*, any sort of compliance, costs you money in this industry) or that your water will not pass inspection?

[millerag]

So far in my experience with the State of Pennsylvania I have run into a bunch of regulators that do not know the regulations (go figure). What I have run into is trying to find the right person to answer my questions. Finding the right person takes time and aggravation so from some of the answers that I have received (thanks all) I know I have to dig a little deeper. What I am ultimately worried about is getting an answer from some knuckle head (at the state or county level) that says we do not need to test when we actually do.