Office of Drinking Water Quality

Private Well Testing Information

**The following recommendations, set forth by this Office, pertain to water-quality testing of private wells. Water-quality analyses must be performed by a certified laboratory to assure accuracy of results. **

State law does not currently require regular testing of private wells, unless they are new wells or associated with a real estate transfer. Therefore, it is up to you to determine whether your water is safe to drink.

Since groundwater quality changes over time, testing frequency depends on the constituent. HEALTH recommends testing for the following constituents at the prescribed intervals, or when you suspect a problem (odd taste, smell, color, etc.):

Initially, then annually-

• Coliform Bacteria ¹ (see “Important” note below)
• Nitrate / Nitrite ¹ (especially in case of newborns or pregnancy)
• Color
• Turbidity ¹
• Sodium
• Chloride

Initially, then every 3-5 years-

• Fluoride ¹
• Iron ¹
• Lead ¹
• Manganese ¹
• Copper (for copper plumbing)
• Zinc and Cadmium (for galvanized plumbing)
• pH ²
• Alkalinity ²
• Calcium ²
• Total Dissolved Solids ²
• Hardness ²
• Sulfate

Initially, then every 5-10 years-

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ¹
• Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH)

¹ Pending regulations will require these tests for real estate transfers and new wells.
² These constituents are needed to determine the corrosiveness of the water.

Additional testing- will depend on local land-uses, well type, underlying geology, proximity to known sources of contaminants, and requirement by the local building official (examples – Arsenic- if near existing or old orchards and/or Beryllium– if well is completed in certain types of bedrock).

IMPORTANT: If your water quality results are present for coliforms you should not consume the water unless it has been boiled for at least one minute. This should continue until results indicate your water as coliform free. A procedure to disinfect the well and the household plumbing can be found in the “ Bacteria in Private Drinking Water Wells ” fact sheet. This same procedure should be used anytime the well pump is fixed or the plumbing is altered or repaired.

WEBLINKS: Other great sources of information

EPA's Safewater contains information for private well owners:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/index2.html

URI Home*A*Syst program provides very helpful information for private well owners, including topical fact sheets on treatment options.
http://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/has/

If you have any questions please call us. We would be happy to assist you.