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Private Well Water

Private Well Water Safety and Testing

Your water looks, smells, and tastes fine, but it may not be safe to drink. Many Maine wells have too much arsenic, uranium, radon, or other harmful chemicals. The only way to know if your water is safe to drink is to test it.

1 in 10 wells in Maine has too much arsenic, uranium, radon, or other harmful chemicals. The only way to know if your water is safe to drink is to test it. Fill out this form to receive more information, a list of certified labs to order your well water test, or a free DVD about how to test your well water.

Want to talk to a well water expert?

We can help you figure out what to test for, and what your test results mean. Call us at 866-292-3474 toll-free in Maine, or 207-287-4311, TTY: Call Maine Relay 711. Email: ehu@maine.gov

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. Find a lab that is certified to test your well water (Word).
  • 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
  • Find a lab certified to test water for Radon

Arsenic

A study of arsenic in Maine well water answers important questions about bathing and treatment options.  

Resources

Common Well Water Contaminants