Private Water Supply

Program Goals

To minimize potential health hazards from contamination of private water supplies.

Program Highlights

• Provide guidance to public inquiries regarding private water supply.
• Perform investigations of complaints.
• Collect bacteriological samples and issue results reports.
• Conduct property site inspections.
• Consult and recommend system improvements to homeowners.

Download the EPA’s Drinking Water From Household Wells brochure (1.6mb PDF)

Download the Appendix 5-B Standard for Water Wells (175k PDF)

Download Directions for Well Disinfection (16k PDF)

Download Recommendations for Private Well Testing

Online Information

• EPA—Private Drinking Water Wells
• Cornell Cooperative Extension—Water Quality Fact Sheets
• NYS Dept of Health Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water Supplies Fact Sheet
• NYS Dept of Health Lead in Drinking Water Fact Sheet
• The Groundwater Foundation
• Wellowner.org (National Ground Water Association)
• Empire State Water Well Drillers Association