Private Well Water
Private Well Water: What Homeowners Should Know
Public water is regulated, tested and treated. A private well is the owner’s responsibility. Here is what the health agencies recommend for testing, the most common well water concerns, and how home treatment works, with every fact linked to its source.
Who Checks the Water
Public Water Is Regulated. A Private Well Is Up to You.
Public water has layers of oversight. The New York State Department of Health says “Public water systems in New York must monitor for more than 100 different contaminants on a regular schedule, including PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane,”[4] and “If standards are not being met, the public water suppliers are required to notify customers and take actions to come into compliance.”[5]
A private well works differently. EPA explains that “Private well owners are responsible for delivering safe drinking water to their households. The quality and safety of drinking water from private domestic wells are not regulated by the Federal Government under the Safe Drinking Water Act nor by most state governments and laws.”[1]
The New York State Department of Health puts it plainly: “Unlike people who are connected to public water systems, it’s important for private well owners to regularly test their water for bacteria and test if there are noticeable changes in the water or the way the well operates.”[3]
Public Water
What May Be in Well Water
Common Private Well Water Concerns
EPA notes that “Not all of the substances listed pose an immediate or long term health problem, some impact quality of life only such as appearance, taste, and odor.”[8] The cards below say which is which.
Bacteria
EPA describes total coliforms as “Not a health threat in itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present.”[9] The New York State Department of Health notes that “Germs and chemicals can enter private well drinking water from flooding, runoff, and natural changes in the water that serves the well.”[3]
Nitrate
EPA’s limit for nitrate in public drinking water is 10 mg/L, measured as nitrogen.[9] Suffolk County notes that “A conventional onsite septic system was never designed to remove nitrogen,” and that “Even inland, nitrogen from septic systems will eventually reach the groundwater and surface waters.”[10] More in our nitrate guide.
PFAS
“Like many contaminants, New York State does not regulate PFAS in private wells.” The state’s PFOA and PFOS standards “are used as guidelines to recommend actions to reduce exposures in private wells,” and “PFAS tests are performed by a small number of certified laboratories that have specialized equipment and quality control procedures.”[11] More in our PFAS guide.
Industrial Solvents
EPA limits solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) to 0.005 mg/L in public water.[9] Another industrial chemical, 1,4-dioxane, “has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the U.S., particularly in Long Island’s sole source aquifer and in association with legacy industrial and hazardous waste sites,” according to New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation.[12] More in our 1,4-dioxane guide.
Arsenic
EPA’s limit for arsenic in public drinking water is 0.010 mg/L.[9] If you suspect a contaminant that a basic panel does not cover, EPA’s advice is that “you should test for those also.”[8]
Iron & Manganese
EPA’s secondary standards list noticeable effects above 0.3 mg/L of iron (“rusty color; sediment; metallic taste; reddish or orange staining”) and above 0.05 mg/L of manganese (“black to brown color; black staining; bitter metallic taste”). EPA states that “These contaminants are not considered to present a risk to human health at the SMCL.”[13]
Odors, Such as a Rotten-Egg Smell
EPA’s secondary standards include odor, with a “‘rotten-egg’, musty or chemical smell” listed as the noticeable effect. EPA also cautions that “Odor and taste are useful indicators of water quality even though odor-free water is not necessarily safe to drink.”[13]
Hardness
“In scientific terms, water hardness is generally the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water.” The U.S. Geological Survey adds that “Hardness is a property of water that is not a health concern, but it can be a nuisance,” and that “When using hard water, more soap or detergent is needed to get things clean.”[14]
When to Test
Testing Is How You Know
The New York State Department of Health advises that “Private well owners should test their tap water at least once a year for bacteria and every three to five years for other contaminants.”[3] EPA recommends you “Test your private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels,” and to test right away if:[8]
- “There are known problems with ground water or drinking water in your area”
- “Conditions near your well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity)”
- “You replace or repair any part of your well system.”
- “You notice a change in your water quality (i.e. odor, color, taste).”
EPA’s advice is to “Only use laboratories that are certified to do drinking water testing.”[8] In Suffolk County, the Department of Health Services “operates an extensive water testing program” for residents with private wells, and notes that “there is a charge for the service.”[2]
Book Your Free Water TestHow Treatment Fits In
How Home Water Treatment Works
“Home water treatment systems include filtration, distillation, ultraviolet treatment, and water softener systems,” and the CDC adds: “If your tap water does not contain harmful chemicals or germs, you may not need a home water treatment system.”[15]
The CDC advises: “Check your treatment system’s label to make sure the system removes the chemicals or germs you are concerned about.”[15] That is why pHountain tests your water before recommending any system. No test, no recommendation — that’s our standard.
Our Well Water Process
How pHountain Approaches Private Well Water
Every well is different. Our process starts with your water, not with a product.
Free In-Home Water Test
A local pHountain specialist comes to your home, tests your water and explains the results, at no charge and with no obligation. For details about testing for PFAS or 1,4-dioxane, call 1-631-991-3995 or use the form below.
Plain-Language Results
Your specialist walks you through what each result means and how it compares with EPA guidance, without jargon.
Honest Assessment
If your well water does not need treatment, we tell you that clearly and thank you for your time. We do not recommend systems to customers who don’t need them.
Matched Recommendation (If Warranted)
If your results show a concern, we recommend a system matched to what your water actually contains, sized to your household and your home’s plumbing, with transparent pricing and a 10-year guarantee.
Professional Installation
Installation is completed in a single visit, typically 2–4 hours. For well homes, the system connects at the pressure tank output so every fixture in the house receives filtered water. pHountain systems are designed to be low-maintenance.
Our Systems
Filtration Systems Sized for Your Well and Your Home
Every system is sized after your water test, not before it. The right capacity for your home depends on flow rate, household size, and what your water requires.
PureFlow Plus
Homes 500 – 2,000 sq ft
- Family of 5 or less
- Rated for 1,000,000+ gallons
- 10-year guarantee
- Easy installation
Hydramax Pro
Homes 1,500 – 4,000 sq ft
- Family of 4 or more
- Rated for 1,500,000+ gallons
- 10-year guarantee
- Easy installation
Grand Estate
Homes 3,000 – 7,000 sq ft
- Family of 5 or more
- Rated for 2,000,000+ gallons
- 10-year guarantee
- Easy installation
Sources
- U.S. EPA, Private Drinking Water Wells
- Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Private Well Water Testing Program
- NYS Department of Health, New York State Department of Health Urges Regular Private Well Testing (March 22, 2024)
- NYS Department of Health, Public Water Systems and Drinking Water Standards for PFAS and Other Emerging Contaminants
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Department of Health, Community Update, January 2026: Groundwater Plume Cleanup Update (public water supply section)
- U.S. EPA, CCR Information for Consumers
- U.S. EPA, Overview of the Safe Drinking Water Act
- U.S. EPA, Protect Your Home’s Water
- U.S. EPA, National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
- Suffolk County, Innovative and Alternative Septic Systems (Reclaim Our Water)
- NYS Department of Health, PFAS and Private Wells
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products (September 18, 2024)
- U.S. EPA, Secondary Drinking Water Standards: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals
- U.S. Geological Survey, Hardness of Water
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Home Water Treatment Systems
Sources checked .
This guide was prepared by pHountain Water Filtration in Islip, NY. Its water facts link to the public sources listed above, and the answers to common questions below summarize the same sources. The process, systems and guarantee sections describe pHountain’s own service.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Well Water
Is private well water safe to drink?
A private well is not automatically unsafe, but it is not regulated like public water. EPA says the quality and safety of water from private domestic wells are not regulated by the federal government under the Safe Drinking Water Act, nor by most state governments, and that well owners are responsible for their own water. Testing is how you find out: the New York State Department of Health advises testing at least once a year for bacteria and every three to five years for other contaminants.
What should I test my well water for?
EPA recommends testing a private well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH, and testing for other contaminants if you suspect they are present. EPA also advises testing right away after changes such as flooding, new construction nearby, well repairs, or a change in your water’s odor, color or taste. Use a laboratory certified for drinking water testing.
Are private wells tested for PFAS?
Not routinely. The New York State Department of Health says New York does not regulate PFAS in private wells, that PFAS tests are performed by a small number of certified laboratories, and that your local health department can advise on PFAS testing. For details about testing for PFAS or 1,4-dioxane, call pHountain at 1-631-991-3995 or send us a message with the form on this page.
Can one treatment system remove everything?
No single type of treatment removes everything. The CDC’s overview shows, for example, that UV treatment does not remove chemicals and that water softeners do not remove bacteria or viruses. The CDC advises checking a treatment system’s label to make sure it removes the chemicals or germs you are concerned about, which is why pHountain recommends a system only after your water has been tested.
How does the free in-home water test work?
A local pHountain specialist comes to your home, tests your water and explains the results, at no charge and with no obligation. If your water does not need treatment, we tell you. For details about testing for PFAS or 1,4-dioxane, call 1-631-991-3995 or use the form on this page.
What does pHountain’s 10-year guarantee cover for well water systems?
Every installed pHountain whole-home system is backed by a 10-year guarantee. Your specialist explains exactly what it covers before installation. Because well water can change over time, we also recommend retesting your well every few years.
Free Assessment
Book Your Free In-Home Well Water Test
A local pHountain specialist tests your water at your home and explains the results, at no charge and with no obligation. If your water does not need treatment, we will tell you.
For details about testing for PFAS or 1,4-dioxane, call us or send a message with the form.
Know Your Water
Know What’s in Your Well Water
A free pHountain water test gives you your water’s actual results, explained clearly. What comes next, whether that is a system recommendation or a clean result, is based on data, not assumption.