How can I protect my private water supply?
You can protect
your water supply by carefully managing activities near the water source.
For households using a domestic well, this includes keeping contaminants
away from sinkholes and the well itself. Hazardous chemicals also should be
kept out of septic systems.
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Periodically inspect exposed parts of the
well for problems such as:
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Cracked, corroded, or damaged well
casing.
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Broken or missing well cap.
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Settling and cracking of surface
seals.
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Slope the area around the well to drain
surface runoff away from the well.
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Install a well cap or sanitary seal to
prevent unauthorized use of, or entry into, the well.
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Have the well tested once a year for
coliform bacteria, nitrates, and other constituents of concern.
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Keep accurate records of any well
maintenance, such as disinfection or sediment removal, that may require
the use of chemicals in the well.
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Hire a certified well driller for any new
well construction, modification, or abandonment and closure.
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Avoid mixing or using pesticides,
fertilizers, herbicides, degreasers, fuels, and other pollutants near
the well.
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Do not dispose of wastes in dry wells or
in abandoned wells.
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Do not cut off the well casing below the
land surface.
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Pump and inspect septic systems as often
as recommended by your local health department.
Never dispose of hazardous materials in a septic
system. |
