Water samples analyzed in Mönchengladbach for VSR water protection assessment
In a recent series of tests, water samples from 67 wells were assessed for contamination levels of nitrate, iron, and bacteria. Well owners could bring their samples directly to a mobile lab or mail them for examination.
This investigation led by the VSR Water Protection offered valuable insights into groundwater contamination, as well as eliminating potential health risks connected to gardening. Harald Gǘlzow, a physicist and water expert, offered guidance to well owners at an informational booth. Each participant received a detailed report, containing the test results and an evaluation for water usage.
Harald Gǘlzow, who's been active in water protection for 40 years, pursued a review of water samples in Moenchengladbach. His findings indicated that considerable nitrate concentrations persist in the groundwater due to intensive farming. A troubling 18.2% of the wells surpassed the nitrate directive limit of 50 milligrams per liter. Even more disheartening, nearly 7% of the wells had over 100 milligrams per liter of nitrate. High concentrations of nitrate in the soil prompt plants like lettuce, radishes, spinach, and turnips to absorb more nitrate, which can be exacerbated by nitrogenous fertilizers and increased nitrate content in irrigation water.
Harald Gǘlzow's analysis revealed that iron values seldom pose a problem when using well water in Moenchengladbach. High levels of iron can, however, obstruct the use of water for gardening in other areas.
On a concerning note, he highlighted an increase in bacterial contamination in well water. Excessive rainfall is believed to be the main reason bacteria enter leaky wells, contaminating the water. In Moenchengladbach tests, coliform bacteria were found in 19% of the well samples. Harald Gǘlzow also pointed to damaged underground sewage pipes as a potential threat, allowing fecal matter to leak into the groundwater and contaminate it with E.coli. This bacterium was discovered in 4.8% of the tested wells. Harald Gǘlzow cautions that the water may be tainted with other viruses and bacteria capable of causing severe illnesses. The VSR Water Protection has created a checklist to help individuals identify possible causes of bacterial contamination and resolve many issues swiftly.
The VSR Water Protection shares the comprehensive evaluation of well water findings on their website, complete with diagrams. Visitors can also find out when the mobile lab will be traveling to their region. The VSR Water Protection Association, established in 1980, advocates for clean water and performs investigations of stream and groundwater. The association collects surface water samples for examination but relies on cooperation from well owners for groundwater samples.
- Given the troubling increase in bacterial contamination found in well water during the VSR Water Protection's investigation, it is crucial to pay attention to mental health and seek resources for stress management, as concerns about environmental health can potentially impact one's mental-health-and-wellness.
- To ensure a comprehensive approach to health and wellness, Harald Gülzow's findings emphasize the need for an intersectional understanding of health, encompassing both environmental-science (groundwater contamination) and mental-health concerns that may arise as a result.
