‎Millions of Americans May Be Poisoning Themselves by Not Testing Private Wells, Experts Warn

‎Allison Roderick, the environmental health officer for Webster County in north-central Iowa, is warning rural residents that their private well water could be unsafe—and the government has resources to help ensure it’s clean.

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‎Experts say over 43M Americans using private wells may face hidden contamination risks, urging regular testing and state-funded repairs.

‎Tony Leys/KFF Health News

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‎In this county, home to a few thousand people scattered among expansive corn and soybean fields, many residents draw water from private wells. Unlike public systems, these wells are largely exempt from federal testing and purity regulations. Roderick works to make sure residents understand that this exemption does not mean the water is free of risk.

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‎Across the United States, more than 43 million people depend on private wells, which are regulated inconsistently through varying state and local rules. Most states require standards for new wells, but older wells can often remain in use without testing or inspection, despite potential contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial activity, or naturally occurring minerals.

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‎“You’re cooking with it. You’re cleaning with it. You’re bathing in it—and there are so many things nowadays that can make you sick,” Roderick said. Federal data shows over 20% of private wells contain contaminants above safe levels.

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‎Iowa provides approximately $50,000 per year to each of its 99 counties for water testing and well repairs, funded by fees on agricultural chemical sales. However, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports that about half of this money remains unused annually. Since starting her role in 2022, Roderick has aimed to use every dollar, even securing an extra $40,000 in unused funds from other counties last year. She promotes the program through mailers, online outreach, and by traveling rural roads in a retired sheriff’s SUV to collect water samples from residents’ wells.

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‎If contamination is detected, Roderick can offer up to $1,000 in state grant funding for repairs, or up to $500 to seal abandoned wells. Experts recommend annual testing for all private wells, noting that water quality can change over time due to fluctuating water tables, faulty septic systems, or excessive fertilizer and pesticide use.

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‎Many residents assume their water is safe if it looks and smells fine, said Sydney Evans of the Environmental Working Group, but local geology and industry can introduce various contaminants. In the Midwest, common issues include bacteria and nitrates from agricultural runoff. In Nevada and Maine, arsenic and uranium are more prevalent, while nationwide concerns about PFAS “forever chemicals” are increasing, with recent studies estimating they are present in at least 45% of U.S. tap water.

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‎Filters can be effective, but only if matched to the specific contaminants in a water supply. Evans advises residents to review public water test results from nearby systems and consult local health officials about potential subsidies for private well testing and repairs.

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‎A 2019 Emory University study found all states regulate new well construction, but even where water quality testing standards exist, testing often happens rarely or not at all. Some long-time rural families may be unaware of risks, using wells dug by past generations without realizing that contamination can accumulate over time.

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‎While some states require private well inspections during property sales, Iowa does not—though Webster County has adopted its own rule. State well program manager Erik Day encourages buyers to request testing and, ideally, a visual inspection inside the well. He estimates that fewer than 10% of Iowa well owners test annually, even though the state program offers it for free.

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‎Webster County resident Larry Jones recently used the program to test the well at a 54-year-old ranch home he is renovating for family use. Roderick’s testing found bacterial contamination, and she secured $1,000 in state funding to help cover repairs. Jones invested additional funds, hiring local contractor Lynn Rosenquist to replace the deteriorating concrete casing with a sealed PVC pipe and sanitize the system.

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‎Roderick also tests for nitrates, sulfates, arsenic, and manganese, with plans to add PFAS testing soon. She collects samples in plastic bottles, sends them to a lab, and logs the results in a state database, advising homeowners on treatment options when problems are found.

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‎The work has allowed her to meet numerous residents—and their pets. “I love the feeling that I’m really helping people,” she said.