New York State Department of Health Urges Regular Private Well Testing

State Health Department Launches Educational Campaign and Risk Mapper Tool for Private Well Owners

Test Once a Year for Bacteria, Three to Five Years for Other Contaminants

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 22, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health is encouraging private well owners to test their well for bacteria and other contaminants to ensure water is suitable for household use. The Department has launched a multi-media educational campaign as well as an online map to allow well owners to view potential risks specific to their location.

"Using contaminated well water can make you, your family, and your pets sick," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Unlike people who are connected to public water systems, it's important for private well owners to regularly test their water for bacteria and test if there are noticeable changes in the water or the way the well operates. The Department's new Private Well Risk Mapper is a great tool for people to see where land use, contaminants, and weather might affect private well drinking water."

Germs and chemicals can enter private well drinking water from flooding, runoff, and natural changes in the water that serves the well. Consuming water with bacteria is the most common risk from contaminated drinking water and can cause gastrointestinal illness.

Private well owners should test their tap water at least once a year for bacteria and every three to five years for other contaminants. The best time to test private well water is in the late spring or early summer. People should stop using their private well for drinking water and food preparation and contact their local health department if water tests show contaminants in the well.

The Department's all-new interactive Private Well Risk Mapper allows private well users to type in their home address and view a map of potential risks to their drinking water from flooding, agricultural runoff, naturally occurring arsenic, as well as bedrock conditions of the surrounding area.

Advice to protect private wells:

  • Test well water at least once a year for bacteria and each time after the well is disinfected or receives maintenance.
  • Test well water for other contaminants every 3-5 years.
  • Test if there are noticeable changes in how the water looks, smells, or tastes, after floods, changes in land use, or concerns about local contaminants.
  • Regularly check and maintain the well, system components, and area surrounding the well.
  • Keep records of maintenance activities and water testing.
  • Contact your local health department and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Spill Hotline at (800) 457-7362 if you suspect your well could be contaminated by gasoline, heating oil, or chemicals.
  • Contact your local health department for advice on maintaining, testing, disinfecting, and flushing your well.
  • Take steps to get connected to a public water system, if you have the opportunity. Public water is the best option for household water because it is regularly monitored and managed by a certified water operator.

For more information on private well testing and maintenance visit www.health.ny.gov/privatewells.