Is Your Private Well's Water Safe? Here’s What You Need to Know
Many well owners believe their water is safe, but ...
by Carl Job
Stock photo by Sherman Yang
Regular testing is the only way to know for sure. Even if you currently have water treatment systems in place, testing is important to make sure these systems are working properly. Private wells can be at risk of contamination, which might lead to health problems.
A study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly one in four domestic wells had water that didn’t meet safety standards. Private wells aren’t routinely checked by professionals, unlike public water systems, so it’s up to the well owner to ensure their water is safe.
Testing your well for environmental contaminants before using it is crucial. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing your well water every year for:
- Total coliform bacteria
- Nitrates
- Total dissolved solids
- pH levels
- Any other suspected contaminants
How can you test your well water?
Private well owners have many water testing services available. It’s important to use a state-certified lab for accurate results. Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) lists regional water testing services: Well Water Testing in Boulder County.
When you choose a lab, contact them to learn their specific requirements for collecting and sending samples. Your test results will show the levels of the substances you tested for and whether any exceed safe drinking water standards. You can use resources like the EPA’s National Drinking Water Standards and Colorado State University’s Water Quality Interpretation Tool to understand your results better.
If you have questions about what to test for, how to interpret your results or need information on water treatment systems, please get in touch with Boulder County Public Health at healthinfo@bouldercounty.gov.
Well Owner Education – The Private Well Class
Owning a private well gives you control over your water supply but also comes with responsibilities. In addition to regular water testing, well owners should know how to properly manage, operate, and protect their wells.
The Private Well Class is an online program designed to help well owners learn how to care for their wells and ensure their water stays safe to drink. It covers key topics like groundwater, well maintenance, and available resources. Thanks to funding from the EPA and Rural Community Assistance Partnership, the program is free to the public.
Carl Job is a Water Quality Specialist with Boulder County Public Health, who works on issues including domestic water systems, drinking water safety, and source water protection. Email: cjob@bouldercounty.gov