There are a few roadside springs in the greater New Holland area. One popular site is located in the Welsh Mountains, bordering both the Pequea Valley and ELANCO school districts.

While some local residents utilize the spring regularly, the safety of drinking the water from any roadside spring is worth questioning. "People assume the water (from springs is) tested, and it's not," said Linda Saad, senior member of the ELANCO Source Water Collaborative. "But you could test it, and animals could (defecate) in it four hours later. It's not a closed system."

Saad has a degree in forestry with concentrations in soil science and water resources. Formerly, she worked in water testing at a local lab, where she oversaw the water quality program and the quality of the testing programs.

Jennifer Fetter, director of the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training and Water Resources Program team leader with Penn State Extension, backed Saad up, saying, "Because roadside springs typically emerge from aquifers very close to the ground surface, they are highly susceptible to contaminants from whatever is happening on the nearby landscape." Fetter mentioned human waste from septic systems and contaminants from agricultural operations, along with other waste systems, noting, "(These) pose one of the greatest risks, as they carry fecal coliform bacteria and other gut pathogens that are frequently found in the waters of roadside springs."

Fetter's comments are supported by the results of a study, which will be repeated this year. "In our 2013 study of roadside springs in Pennsylvania, 91% of springs studied had coliform bacteria in them," reported Fetter. "(Nearly 100%) failed at least one of the drinking water standards that public water supplies are held to." The upcoming study will explore additional potential contaminants. "Many roadside spring pipes were installed a very long time ago and have the potential to be lead-based," commented Fetter. "We do see very high corrosivity in roadside spring water, which means that springs are likely to leach lead from those pipes and contaminate the water in those cases."

"If it's near a road, it could pick up oil, antifreeze, and petroleum products," added Saad.

Saad went on to point out that many people who have been drinking water from a particular roadside spring for years believe that water is safe. "The assumption that because you have gotten it there all your life and had no problems (doesn't hold water)," said Saad, who noted that contaminated water is a danger to infants with digestive systems that are not fully developed, elderly people, and those with compromised health. "If you've been getting your water from a spring and have not faced a contamination issue, it does not mean that the water is safe or couldn't become contaminated at any point." She relayed stories of individuals who have had issues with biological amoebas but suspected the flu or food poisoning rather than the water. She noted that parasites are a concern as well.

Fetter elaborated on Saad's comments about the sensitivity of some individuals to contaminants. "Individuals with strong and healthy immune systems are much more likely to fight off pathogens from all sources before they become full-blown illnesses," Fetter explained. "Infants, elderly, and immune-compromised individuals typically feel more significant effects from pathogens like bacteria and parasites." Fetter also noted that lead contamination can impact children more during their early developmental stages.

Fetter added that contaminants are not detectable by human senses. "They have no color, no smell, no taste. Spring water, or any water, can appear crystal clear and still be incredibly harmful to your health," she stated.

Saad cautioned that investigating the area near the spring for possible contaminants may lead to a false sense of security. "You may walk the area and not see the water above ground, but you don't have any idea how far back it surfaces or whether it surfaces in heavy rain or during seasonal events," she said.

Readers who would like more information about the Pennsylvania Extension study may visit https://extension.psu.edu/roadside-springs.