Why Should You Sample Your Well?
All sources of drinking water contain some naturally occurring contaminants. Because water is the universal solvent, many materials are easily dissolved upon contact. At low levels, these contaminants generally are not harmful in our drinking water. Removing all contaminants would be extremely expensive and in nearly all cases would not provide greater protection of health. A few of the naturally occurring substances may actually improve the taste of drinking water and may have nutritional values at low levels.��
However, drinking water that has harmful bacteria can make you sick. These bacteria can give you stomach cramps and/or diarrhea, as well as other problems.
The only way to make sure your water supply is safe to drink is to test it regularly.
How often to sample:
Dug Wells - at least 3 times per year.
Drilled Wells - at least once per year.
Well Points - at least 3 times per year.
Private water supplies should be tested annually for nitrate and coliform bacteria to detect contamination problems early. They should be tested more frequently and for more potential contaminants, such as radon or pesticides, if a problem is suspected.�
(from the EPA website)
If you use a private laboratory to conduct the testing, nitrate and bacteria samples will typically cost between $10 and $20 to complete. Testing for other contaminants will be more expensive. For example, testing for pesticides or organic chemicals may cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
(also from the EPA)
EPA's Web Page on protecting private water supplies:�
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A good link from Purdue:
When to test for What�
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