Water Testing for Private Wells

Keeping Your Drinking Water Safe

If your drinking water is supplied by a private well, it is important to have the well tested annually for bacteria, nitrate or any other contaminants that may be hazardous to your health. Our Environmental Health program encourages all residents of the district to use our water testing to ensure that your drinking water is safe and contaminant-free.

When Should I Have My Water Tested?

Residents that use private wells for drinking water should have the water tested annually, at minimum. However, well owners should contact their local environmental health program for additional testing if:

You notice a change in your water’s appearance, smell or taste
You encounter problems like a broken well cap
You find anything that may contaminate your well
Visitors, or anyone that does not regularly use your well, experiences illness after drinking from you well
An infant is using your well
You find a need to monitor your water treatment equipment’s performance

How We Can Help

If you would like to have your water tested, contact your local health department’s environmental health program. Each county health department will accept water samples brought by residents. Water should be brought in a clean, non-absorbent container, such as glass. If samples require further testing at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lab, one of our skilled Environmental Health Specialists will visit the well to collect samples to be delivered to the lab. Cost of this service varies by county.