One in seven Americans get their drinking water from private wells. While federal and state governments set legal limits for contaminants in public water systems, those laws don’t cover private wells. Rather, private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water. No federal or state requirements exist for well owners to test their water. However, private wells must be tested for possible harmful contaminants.
At a minimum, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends bacteria and nitrate testing be performed at least once per year. Nitrates pose a threat to infants and pregnant or nursing mothers, while the presence of bacteria indicates a pathway for disease-causing bacteria to enter the well. You may also want to have your well water tested if you notice any changes in color, taste, odor, hardness, corrosion, sediment, etc. Water can also be tested for naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, and radium. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends testing for coliform bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, and manganese on a scheduled basis.
Iowa’s Private Well Grants Program (PWG) provides free water testing annually to all private well owners and users for the analysis of bacteria/coliform, E.coli/fecal coliform, and nitrates. Testing for arsenic, manganese, and PFAs is also available with this program but not on an annual basis. In addition to private well testing, the PWG program offers funding grants for private well related remedial services. Contact the County Health Department in your county or refer to the list of County Environmental Health Sanitarians supplied by the Iowa DNR. For more information on the program, see Private Well Testing. Minnesota also has help for private well owners through grants or loans. The grant programs may also assist with the cost of filling abandoned wells. Old wells pose a safety hazard and a hazard to groundwater contamination. Most state laws require old abandoned wells to be properly filled to eliminate any hazards.
Iowa residents can get more information from the Iowa DNR to learn how to sample and test well water. Minnesota residents can get more information from the Minnesota Department of Health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an all-states listing of contacts for certified laboratories for water testing.
You don’t know what’s in your water until you test. Get it on your calendar for testing annually or more often, if needed. In the meantime, be aware of potential sources of contamination near your well–livestock, septic tanks, fuel or chemical spills, or anything unusual about your well or the water from it.
Sources:
- Using Private Wells: A Drinking Water Safety Guide, Environmental Working Group (EWG)
- Private Well Testing, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- State Certification Programs Certify Laboratories to Conduct Drinking Water Analysis, 40 CFT142.10(b)13, Environmental Protection Agency
- Water Quality/Well Testing/Well Disinfection, Minnesota Department of Health
- Well Testing, Results, and Options, Minnesota Department of Health
- Grants and Loans for Home Water Treatment and Well Construction, Repair, and Sealing, Minnesota Department of Health
Updated 9/2024, mg.
Our well water tested at high levels of arsenic. How is the best way to treat?
Hi, depending on what state you live in, either contact the resources listed in the blog post of if you live in Iowa, contact the Hygienic Lab at 1-800-421-4692. They will be able to assist you.
What worries me is the lack of a legal requirement for well owners to test their water. This makes many people unaware of the importance of this, leading to them and their families having to use unsafe water without knowing it. Providing financial support to encourage well owners to test their water is a very practical solution and should be replicated in other states.