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Private Drinking Water Wells

EPA estimates that more than 23 million households rely on private wells for drinking water in the United States (August 2021). EPA does not regulate private wells nor does it provide recommended criteria or standards for individual wells. EPA offers information regarding the importance of testing private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove any contaminants.

Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water. This website educates well owners on wells, groundwater, and information on protecting their health. This website also provides links to other federal and non-profit websites that host additional educational materials and resources to help private well owners.

In 2021, EPA released estimates of the density of private wells be census blocks, which can be found in DWMAPS or using EPA's Interactive Private Domestic Well Map. 

Protect Your Well

Glass being filled with water from a tap
  • Testing your private water well
  • Prevent water well pollution
  • Identify potential contamination in your community
  • Emergency preparedness and response for water wells

Groundwater

body of water next to a cliff
  • The water cycle (link to video)
  • Learn about groundwater and aquifers
  • Groundwater and the rural homeowner

Private Well Basics

  • Learn about private water wells
  • Potential well water contaminants and their impacts
  • EPA private well safety publications 
  • Learn to care for your well

Additional Resources

  • State program directory
  • CDC Private Water System Protection
  • USGS Groundwater Information Page
  • USGS Groundwater Publications
  • USGS National Water Quality Assessment Project

Related Links

EPA Info-Graphic: Protect Your Private Well

The following links exit the site to private well and ground water education resources

  • Free Private Well Training 
  • Private Well Info Sheets 
  • Private Well Basics, Tools, and Resources 
  • Groundwater Value and Safe Managment 
  • Private Well Assessment and Workshops 
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on May 26, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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