Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for drinking water (US Census American Housing Survey 2017).
The agency does not regulate private wells nor does it provide recommended criteria or standards for individual wells. Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water, but EPA does offer information regarding the importance of testing private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove contaminants.
EPA recommends that the water in private wells be tested annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. Testing should perhaps take place more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in the house or if someone in the house is pregnant or nursing. If other contaminants are suspected, test for those also.
Private well owners are also encouraged to test the water if:
• There are known problems with groundwater or drinking water in the area
• Conditions near a well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity)
• Replacing or repairing any part of the well system has taken place
• A change in the water quality is noticed (i.e. odor, color, taste)
In addition, EPA reports that well owners should also determine if the groundwater they rely on for household use is under direct influence from surface water. Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water is susceptible to contamination from activities on the surface.
Corrosive groundwater could also cause lead to leach from old pipes, plumbing fixtures and solder that contain the heavy metal into the water supply.
The chart on the screen, provided by the EPA, lists common conditions or nearby activities that well owners should be aware of and the substance(s) that they should consider testing for to ensure their well is safe. Not all of the substances listed pose an immediate or long term health problem, some impact quality of life only, such as appearance, taste and odor.
These are just a few of the many things to know about water quality and private wells. To learn more about this or other aquatic, environmental, building science, industrial hygiene, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for drinking water (US Census American Housing Survey 2017).
The agency does not regulate private wells nor does it provide recommended criteria or standards for individual wells. Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water, but EPA does offer information regarding the importance of testing private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove contaminants.
EPA recommends that the water in private wells be tested annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. Testing should perhaps take place more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in the house or if someone in the house is pregnant or nursing. If other contaminants are suspected, test for those also.
Private well owners are also encouraged to test the water if:
• There are known problems with groundwater or drinking water in the area
• Conditions near a well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity)
• Replacing or repairing any part of the well system has taken place
• A change in the water quality is noticed (i.e. odor, color, taste)
In addition, EPA reports that well owners should also determine if the groundwater they rely on for household use is under direct influence from surface water. Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water is susceptible to contamination from activities on the surface.
Corrosive groundwater could also cause lead to leach from old pipes, plumbing fixtures and solder that contain the heavy metal into the water supply.
The chart on the screen, provided by the EPA, lists common conditions or nearby activities that well owners should be aware of and the substance(s) that they should consider testing for to ensure their well is safe. Not all of the substances listed pose an immediate or long term health problem, some impact quality of life only, such as appearance, taste and odor.
These are just a few of the many things to know about water quality and private wells. To learn more about this or other aquatic, environmental, building science, industrial hygiene, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
