2022年8月26日 · Methane can enter a water well both above and below the water level. Since methane is lighter than air, any gas entering the water well above the water level will quickly rise and accumulate at the top of the borehole under the well cap.

2024年10月18日 · Methane gas is occasionally found in Minnesota groundwater and wells. It is not known to be a health hazard when ingested. However, methane can be flammable and explosive when mixed with air, and it can displace oxygen if released into a confined space, resulting in asphyxiation.

This fact sheet answers questions about methane gas in private drinking water wells, and lists actions people can take to protect their health. What is methane?

Methane (CH4) is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that can dissolve in water. It occurs naturally in some water wells due to geological processes, but it can also enter wells through human activities such as coal mining, gas well drilling, pipeline leaks, and landfills.

Methane in groundwater is not explosive, but when water with dissolved methane comes into contact with air, the methane escapes from the water. If this occurs indoors or in a confined space and the level methane in the indoor air reaches 5%, there is a danger of fire or explosion.

As methane is slightly soluble (can mix with water), it can be carried by contaminated groundwater and enter homes through private water wells used for drinking and/or food preparation. When methane-contaminated groundwater comes into contact with air, the methane quickly off-gasses (turns to a vapor) and escapes into the surrounding air.

There are no drinking water standards for methane in water but elevated levels of methane have been associated with elevated levels of salts, odors from other compounds, and some metals that are regulated as either a primary or secondary drinking water standard.

In some cases, methane gas can form in wells which may be due to natural or industrial causes. Find out how to detect and remove methane gas from wells here.

2024年10月18日 · Methane gas is occasionally found in Minnesota groundwater and wells. It is not known to be a health hazard when ingested with water. However, if methane concentrates in the air of a confined space, it can be flammable and explosive, and it can displace oxygen, resulting in asphyxiation.

Hazards of Methane in Water Wells Methane gas may migrate through underground geo-logic formations and be transported by ground water in dissolved or pure gaseous states. Methane generally migrates from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure. Methane in groundwater is not explosive; how-ever, when water containing dissolved methane comes