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If your family gets drinking water from your own well, do you know if your water is safe to drink? What health risks could you and your family face? Where can you go for help or advice? This pamphlet helps answer these questions. It gives you general information about drinking water from home wells (also considered private drinking water sources).

This EPA text describes types of activities in your area that can create threats to your water supply. It also describes problems to look for and offers maintenance suggestions. Sources for more information and help are also listed. [Editing for clarity by DF are marked by brackets or italics] Initial Source: EPA 816-K-02-003 January 2002 Edits, content addition, & web page design © 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Protecting Your Ground Water Supply [From Contamination]

When Building, Modifying Or Closing A Well

• Hire a certified well driller for any new well construction or modification
• Slope well area so surface runoff drains away
• When closing a well:
• Do not cut off the well casing below the land surface
• Hire a certified well contractor to fill or seal the well

Preventing [Well Water Contamination] Problems

• Install a locking well cap or sanitary seal to prevent unauthorized use of, or entry into, the well
• Do not mix or use pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, degreasers, fuels, and other pollutants near the well
• Never dispose of wastes in dry wells or in abandoned wells
• Pump and inspect septic systems as often as recommended by your local health department
• Never dispose of hazardous materials in a septic system
• Take care in working or mowing around your well

Maintaining Your Well

• Each month check visible parts of your system for problems such as:
  • Cracking or corrosion,
  • Broken or missing well cap,
  • Settling and cracking of surface seals
• Have the well tested once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants
• Keep accurate records in a safe place, including:
• Construction contract or report
• Maintenance records, such as disinfection or sediment removal
• Any use of chemicals in the well
• Water testing results

After A Flood - [Well Water Contamination] Concerns And Advisories [from the U.S. EPA]

• Stay away from the well pump while flooded to avoid electric shock
• Do not drink or wash from the flooded well to avoid becoming sick
• Get assistance from a well or pump contractor to clean and turn on the pump
• After the pump is turned back on, pump the well until the water runs clear to rid the well of flood water
• If the water does not run clear, get advice from the county or state health department or extension service
• For additional information go to : Private Wells: Guidance for What to Do After the Flood

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EPA GUIDE to WATER QUALITY
    Ground water & Well Contamination
    Drinking Water from Household Wells
    What Is Ground Water, How Is It Polluted
    Where Do Water Pollutants Come From
    Naturally Occurring Pollution Sources
    Private Well Contaminant Concerns
    Pollution due to Humans
    Level of Risk of Water Contamination
    Six Steps to Well Water Safety
    Protecting Ground Water From Contaminants
    1. How To Spot Well Contamination Problems
    2. Well Water Test Strategy
    Reasons to Test Well Water
    3. Understanding Water] Test Results
    4. Well Construction and Maintenance
    5. Talk With Local Water Experts
    6. Fix Well Water Contamination Problems
    More Information on Well Water
    Well Water Definitions

See these critical guides for dealing with flooded buildings

FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-priorities
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP

[For responding to floods and addressing well and other building concerns also see:
Floods in Building Setting Priorities and Using Mold Resistant Building - quick steps after a building flood or plumbing leak can prevent costly mold contamination
Flood Response for Septic Systems what to do after a septic system has been exposed to flooding
FLOODS & MOLD CLEAN/PREVENT A Guide to Dealing with Flood Damage & Mold Prevention or Cleanup for Flooded Homes
FIRST PRIORITIES When Responding to a Flooded Building
BUILDING ENTRY PROCEDURE How to Enter a Building After a Building Flood
FLOOD RESPONSE CHECKLIST Checklist of Key Steps to Minimize Mold Damage After a Building Flood
--DF]

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