High toxin levels are illegal in public water. But not for Americans using private wells.
About 43 million Americans rely on private wells that sit outside federal drinking-water rules — testing and treatment fall to the household.
For families on private wells
Keep your family's water safe.
City water is monitored. Most private wells are not. Find a state-certified lab, test once a year, and protect the people — and pets — who drink from your tap.
43M+Americans rely on private wellsEPA / USGS
YearlyEPA & CDC recommend testing bacteria, nitrates, TDS & pHEPA private wells
2.7Mmay have arsenic above the EPA standard in normal conditionsUSGS 2021
Not coveredMost private wells sit outside the Safe Drinking Water ActEPA
As reported in
The Washington PostThe New York TimesU.S. EPAMilwaukee Journal SentinelBangor Daily NewsABC11 Raleigh-DurhamKRDOThe Harvard PressPenn State UniversityWHYY
Outlet names shown as text badges — we link to the original articles; we do not use newspaper logos.
Why families test
Kids & babies
Infants are most sensitive to nitrates and bacteria. Testing before pregnancy or with a new baby is especially important.
Your home well
Lead, arsenic, and PFAS often can't be tasted or smelled. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
After floods & changes
EPA says to test right away after flooding, well repairs, or if taste, color, or odor changes.
Well water in the news
All headlines →Real reporting from newspapers and major outlets about private-well contamination. Headlines link to the original articles.
Many Wells in North Carolina Remain Unsafe After Helene’s Deluge
Early EPA sampling after Hurricane Helene found roughly 40% of about 600 tested private wells positive for E. coli or coliform bacteria.
EPA and North Carolina Health Authorities Encourage Well Water Testing in Areas Affected by Hurricane Helene
EPA deployed mobile labs in western North Carolina and urged flooded-well owners to test for total coliform and E. coli before drinking.
Bottled water offered to 50 more Peshtigo residents. Well water contains 'forever chemicals.'
Wisconsin notified dozens more Peshtigo homes that private wells exceeded new PFAS health recommendations tied to firefighting-foam pollution.
Brunswick residents fear contaminated well water related to foam spill
Maine households shared private-well tests showing PFAS above EPA’s 4 ppt public-water limit — a limit that does not cover private wells.
NC homeowners notified private wells found to have PFAS: 'We only have one earth'
North Carolina DEQ alerted Hope Mills-area well owners that PFAS levels exceeded EPA guidelines and offered treatment assistance.
Choose your state
- Minnesota25 lab listings · verified October 26, 2026
- Texas80 lab listings · verified October 26, 2026
- Vermont29 lab listings · verified October 26, 2026
More states are added regularly. Each one is copied only from an official state list.
Guides for families
All guides →Plain-language guides on PFAS, nitrates, arsenic, lead, and bacteria — written so parents and caregivers know what to do next.
- PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Private Wells: Why You Should TestFederal PFAS rules protect public water systems — not private wells. Here’s what “forever chemicals” mean for well owners and how to get tested.
- Nitrates in Well Water and Blue Baby Syndrome: Who Must TestNitrate in well water can cause blue baby syndrome in infants. Learn who is at risk, when to test, and how to find a certified lab.
- Arsenic in Private Well Water: The Invisible Risk UndergroundArsenic in groundwater is often naturally occurring and invisible. USGS research shows millions of private-well users may be above the EPA drinking-water standard.
- Lead in Well Water: Old Pumps, Plumbing, and Why Taste Won’t Warn YouLead doesn’t change how water looks or tastes. If your home has older plumbing or well equipment, testing is the only way to know your exposure.
- Coliform Bacteria in Well Water After a Flood: Test Before You DrinkFloodwater, septic systems, and runoff can push bacteria into private wells. Don’t drink until a certified lab clears your water.
- Your Private Well Isn’t Regulated by the Safe Drinking Water ActPublic water is monitored. Private wells usually aren’t. The Safe Drinking Water Act leaves testing to you — here’s what that means in practice.
What to test for
The EPA recommends an annual test for:
- Total coliform bacteria
- Nitrates
- Total dissolved solids
- pH
Nearby conditions point to extra tests. Intensive agriculture → nitrate, nitrite, pesticides, coliform. Stained fixtures → iron, copper, manganese. Lead plumbing → pH, lead, copper. Flooding → bacteria right away. EPA source
How it works
- Pick your state. Each page lists labs on the state's own certified list, by county where available.
- Call the lab. Ask for sample bottles and confirm it accepts private well samples for the tests you need.
- Read your results. If a result exceeds a health standard, the EPA says to contact your public health department and re-test to confirm.
Questions
How often should I test my private well?
The EPA recommends testing a private well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH, and testing for other contaminants if you suspect them.
Where should I get my well water tested?
The EPA says to use only labs certified for drinking water testing. You can find one through your state's certification program, and your local health department may offer private well testing, sometimes for free.
When should I test right away?
The EPA says to test immediately if there are known groundwater problems in your area, if conditions near your well change significantly (such as flooding or new construction), if you replace or repair part of your well system, or if the water's odor, color, or taste changes.
Are private wells regulated like city water?
No. EPA rules under the Safe Drinking Water Act apply to public water systems, not most private wells. Well owners are responsible for testing.