Water supplies for many homes in rural and suburban Indiana come from private drinking water wells. These private drinking water wells are unregulated by local and state government with no oversight for water quality.
Homeowners are responsible for testing to determine if they are drinking clean, healthy water. Although some water contamination can be seen with the naked eye, most harmful chemicals and organisms can only be detected by a laboratory.
Regular testing and treatment as needed will keep well water users and their families safe. Because water quality can change within a given well, and no two wells are alike, testing is the only know if your water is safe to consume. Basic tests to consider are Bacteria, Nitrates, and Arsenic.
Members of the Groundwater Focus Committee have compiled a listing of resources that homeowners can use to learn more about their water supply and how to protect it.
- NGWA: Wellowner.org
- The Private Well Class
- Water Well Care: wellcare Info Sheets
- IDEM: Private Wells and Complaint Response
- IDNR: Frequently Asked Questions about Groundwater and Water Wells
- IDNR: Water Rights [PDF]
- ISDH: Water Supply Information
- USGS: Ground Water and the Rural Homeowner
- U.S. EPA Private Drinking Water Well Site