What's in Your Private Well Water?

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While many Americans get their drinking water from public water systems that pipe treated water to homes, rural residents rely on private wells that are not monitored by government for contamination.

This week is National Drinking Water Week, and the Environmental Protection Agency is recommending that homeowners (and landlords) with private wells have the water tested.

New homeowners should not assume that the test results they received ensure the water is safe to drink. Banks typically require only tests for bacteria, not chemical contaminants. Experts recommend asking water testing services for tests that include the full range of industrial chemicals, including the gasoline additive MTBE. Such tests can cost upwards of $500.

When New Jersey instituted mandatory private well testing, it found a rate of contamination that surprised many residents. Some counties in New York have, or are considering, similar requirements, after having watched neighborhoods show unhealthy levels of toxic contamination even though the tainted water had no color or odor.

Those near potential sources of contamination, like gasoline stations, manufacturing facilities, highways and farms, should be especially concerned. But contamination can result from a homeowner or neighbor dumping even small quantities of toxic chemicals.

For more information, visit this EPA resource for private well owners.

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