Private Well Water Safety and Testing

 

Testing Your Well Water

  • Test your well water once a year for bacteria and nitrates and every 5 years for arsenic, fluoride, uranium, radon, lead, and manganese.
  • If you have never tested your well water, we recommend doing a comprehensive or standard water test. Other times to test your well include:
    • If you are expecting a baby
    • Your water changes in smell, taste, and color
    • Your well runs dry and comes back
    • When buying a new home
    • After installing a water treatment system or replacing parts of your treatment system
    • After any work is done on your well
  • Get our brochure to learn more about well water testing
  • Find a lab to test your well water
  • Find a lab certified to test water for Radon

Videos on Well Water Testing

Watch these videos to learn how to test your well water and how to understand your well water test results.

 

Common Well Water Contaminants and Problems

Fixing Well Water Problems

Other Useful Links

  • The Maine Tracking Network has data about arsenic and other chemicals commonly found in private wells for Maine towns and counties, and the state.
  • A study of arsenic in Maine well water answers important questions about bathing and treatment options. Read the study External site disclaimer or get a one-page summary.
  • Resources for communities about well water safety and testing, including training webinars and reports.
  • Well water quality resources, including EPA's Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories Tables, and Maine's radon Maximum Exposure Guideline.