Private Well Quality and Water Testing For Your Family

You should test private sources annually for nitrate and coliform bacteria to detect contamination problems early. Test them more frequently and for more potential contaminants, such as radon or pesticides, if you suspect a problem. Water filtration can also help.

If you use a private laboratory to conduct the testing, nitrate and bacteria samples will typically cost between $10 and $20 to complete. Testing for other contaminants will be more expensive. For example, testing for pesticides or organic chemicals may cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars. 

Many laboratories are available to test the quality of what you drink. EPA does not test individual homes, and cannot recommend specific labs to test your drinking water, but states certify water testing labs. You may call your State Certification Officer to get a list of certified water testing labs in your state. Some local health departments also test private wells for free. Phone numbers for your local, county, or state health department are available under the "health" or "government" listings in your phone book. 

Most laboratories mail back the sample results within days or several weeks. If a contaminant is detected, the results will include the concentration of the contaminant and an indication of whether this concentration exceeds a quality standard. If a standard is exceeded in your sample, retest the supply immediately and contact your public health department for assistance. Some problems can be handled quickly. For example, high bacteria concentrations can sometimes be controlled by disinfecting a well. Filters or other on-site treatment processes may also remove some contaminants. Other  problems may require a new source, or a new, deeper well.  If serious problems persist, you may need to rely on bottled h2o until a new source can be obtained.

  How can I protect my private well?

You can protect your souce by carefully managing activities near area. For households using a domestic well, this includes keeping contaminants away from sinkholes and the well itself. Hazardous chemicals also should be kept out of septic systems. 

•  Periodically inspect exposed parts of the well for problems such as:

- cracked, corroded, or damaged well casing. 
- broken or missing well cap. 
- settling and cracking of surface seals. 

• Slope the area around the well to drain surface runoff away from the well. 

• Install a well cap or sanitary seal to prevent unauthorized use of, or entry into, the well. 

• Have the well tested once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and other constituents of concern. 

• Keep accurate records of any well maintenance, such as disinfection or sediment removal, that may require the use of chemicals in the well. 

• Hire a certified well driller for any new well construction, modification, or abandonment and closure. 

• Avoid mixing or using pesticides, fertilizers,  herbicides, degreasers, fuels, and other pollutants near the well. 

• Do not dispose of wastes in dry wells or in abandoned wells. 

• Do not cut off the well casing below the land surface. 

• Pump and inspect septic systems as often as  recommended by your local health department. 

• Never dispose of hazardous materials in a septic system. 

  More information about private wells

Several sources of technical assistance are available to help you protect your supply. The organization Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst provides fact sheets and worksheets to help farmers and rural residents assess pollution risks and develop management plans geared toward their circumstances. For example, Farm*A*Syst helps farmers and ranchers identify pollution risks from nitrates, microbes, and toxic chemicals. Home*A*Syst reaches homeowners who face pollution risks from faulty septic systems, pesticide use, petroleum leaks, and hazardous waste disposal. 

Local health departments and agricultural extension agents can also provide general technical assistance. They can be found under the "government" or "health" listings in your phone book. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline also provides access to publications and technical assistance over the phone at (800) 426-4791. Among EPA's publications that may help you is the detailed "Manual of Individual and Non-public Water Supply Systems (EPA 570/9-91-004). Hotline staff may  be able to direct you to sources of state and local assistance. 

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