In this area there are no apple trees, at least not enough to speak of, but there are creek banks in this area where you will see what looks almost like coal deposits in certain layers. I think, but am not certain, that it is layers of decomposed organic matter, but have a friend who will likely know for sure. When I speak with him next, I'll ask. Did you have a chemical analysis of the water, without telling them what you were concerned about in particular? I'd be interested to know.
Mrs H

Thanks Mrs. H. I wonder how long it takes organic matter to become coal-like? I talked to our local (i.e. two hours away, in town) dept. of the environment guy a few times, who could only suggest getting the water tested for hydrocarbons ('Btex' test). This is what we asked for. It occurs to me the lab may have got samples mixed up. Even so there is no logical explanation for oil in this land.
A different test looks for a wide range of minerals. This might be the next logical step, once we have the money. In the meantime I did a seed germination test, using promix in petri dishes and watering with the well water. Three of ten radish seeds sprouted, grew 4 inches long, also a few small patches of fluffy grey mold - good signs? Will repeat the experiment, using a control this time. If this water can be used just on the garden that would be okay with me.

To the tune of Beverly Hillbillys
Come and listen to my story, bout a man called Jeb,
A pore mountaineer who barley kept his family fed.
Then one day he was out huntin for some food,
And up thru the ground came a bubbling crude!
Oil, that is ! Black gold, Texas tea!
Is there oil in them thar parts?
Good water might be better, crude has a hard time maintaining a price of $30.00 per barrel and I see those little blue bottles of spring water selling for over a dollar for a 12 or 16 oz bottle.
I think that I would have some further testing done, If you cant drink it, water with it, or bathe in it, maybe you could burn it.

I was wondering how the testing came out on your water? I also live in an area that has many shallow wells, 10/18', and many folks have gone to drilling wells. Although they have water at many levels the best drinking water falls in the range of 40-80', in this area. I am in the pacific northwest and the water here at lower footage is often not at it's best if it is to close to the surface. It seems to pool in underground mineral beds and hence not as clear as people would wish for. I am very interested in what mineral or problem they decided was your issue. Thank-you, Judy

I am not getting follow-up messages sent on to me for some reason so I apologize, just checked in here now. Thanks for your responses. LOL gonefishin. That song is burned into the CD that is my childhood. So, I did another germination test, this time comparing seeds growing in promix watered with regular well water, and watered with 'contaminated' water. Lo and behold the seedlings grew ten times better (higher, greener) with the contaminated water. Which may be appearing soon, in a gardening store near you. :) Judy I finally got a hydrogeologist to consider the situation. He says that given our geology in this part of the province there could very well be layers of ancient organic matter buried under glacial till. (material that is on its way to becoming coal or oil?) He says it may be suitable for irrigating the garden, and that we might want to try flushing out the well a few more times. We are going to get a general mineral test in the spring and see if that tells us anything more. If we could afford to cap this well and get a drilled one instead we probably would. Since we can't, we've been wracking our brains. I appreciate your ideas.