1. Private/Domestic Wells
Keeping groundwater healthy and pure.

2. Overview Not a public water system
Generally used to provide drinking water to serve individual homes
Some private wells may serve larger permanent or transient populations
No federal regulations exist relating to private wells
A public water system is defined as systems that provide water for human consumption with at least 15 service connections or serving at least 25 individuals. Public water systems can serve permanent residents in a town or city, but can also serve transient populations, or those that are not permanent, such as a mobile home park, roadside stop, commercial campground, church, school, hotel, or restaurant with its own water supply.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

3. Did You Know? How should wells be maintained?
No laws or regulations requiring private well testing
Well owners are advised to:
Have water tested at least once a year
Perform an annual inspection
Decommission unused or abandoned wells
If a well owner is concerned about the odor or taste of their water or if water users are experiencing unexplained illnesses, the water should be tested.
Mortgage lenders often require that well water be tested for contaminants prior to loaning money to a property buyer.
It is important that unused wells be decommissioned. Unused wells are direct paths for contaminants to reach an aquifer, and larger, open wells may be dangerous to small children or animals.
Nebraska state law requires that a licensed well driller decommission a well.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

4. Did You Know? True or False? Groundwater is always pure FALSE
There’s nothing that can be done if a well becomes contaminated
Groundwater is always pure.
False: Private wells can become contaminated. The most common private well contaminants in Nebraska are nitrates and coliform bacteria.
There’s nothing that can be done if a well becomes contaminated.
False: Depending on the nature of the contamination, it may be possible to treat the wells to make them safe for human use again. For example, nitrate removal is generally expensive, while treatment for coliform bacteria is generally simple and inexpensive.
Land use around wells doesn’t affect water quality.
False: Proper well siting in relation to surrounding land uses is critical. For example, wells should not be located too close to septic tanks, fields, feedlots, or other potential sources of contamination.
As long as a well user isn’t having trouble with a well, it can be ignored.
False: Proper maintenance of wells helps prevent contamination, as well as regular monitoring and testing.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

5. Did You Know? True or False?
Land use around wells doesn’t affect water quality
FALSE
As long as a well user isn’t having trouble with a well, it can be ignored
Groundwater is always pure.
False: Private wells can become contaminated. The most common private well contaminants in Nebraska are nitrates and coliform bacteria.
There’s nothing that can be done if a well becomes contaminated.
False: Depending on the nature of the contamination, it may be possible to treat the wells to make them safe for human use again. For example, nitrate removal is generally expensive, while treatment for coliform bacteria is generally simple and inexpensive.
Land use around wells doesn’t affect water quality.
False: Proper well siting in relation to surrounding land uses is critical. For example, wells should not be located too close to septic tanks, fields, feedlots, or other potential sources of contamination.
As long as a well user isn’t having trouble with a well, it can be ignored.
False: Proper maintenance of wells helps prevent contamination, as well as regular monitoring and testing.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

6. What You Can Do
Learn about the most common water quality problems affecting wells in your area.
Find out more about your well.
Keep a record of information about your well and update these records as information changes.
Test your well water regularly.
Consult your local health department or Natural Resources District for more information about common water quality problems in your area.
Important well information:
when was it was constructed?
does it meets current standards
what kind of casing was used?
should it be decommissioned?
Contact the Nebraska Health and Human Services Drinking Water Program at to find out what more about water testing, such as what tests should be done, to request a test kit, and to answer your private well questions.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

7. Contacts
Insert local contact information
The Groundwater Foundation
P.O. Box 22558
Lincoln, NE
Insert your local contact information.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.