About the Program
Most private wells are unregulated and homeowners themselves are solely responsible for their water quality, quantity, and necessary maintenance. RCAP Solutions’ private well program, funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), uses a combination of online and in-person technical assistance, training, education, and resources/tools to boost knowledge and competency of individual well owners as well as thousands of private well professionals and stakeholders across the country.
The Importance of Understanding Private Well Basics
Private wells can sometimes be contaminated by substances including arsenic, radon, and uranium, which can have both short and long-term health impacts. Drinking contaminated water can cause deficiency in cognitive development in young people, leading to disabilities, cancer, and other serious health issues.
Currently, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) does not regulate the quality and safety of private well water, nor do any nationwide laws. Unlike public drinking water systems, private wells do not have experts regularly checking the water source and its quality before it comes out of the tap. Households that use private wells must take special precautions to ensure the safety of their drinking water.
Complimentary Well Assessments
It’s a good practice to assess your well head several times a year, checking the well covering, casing, and well cap to make sure all are in good repair, with no entry points for potential pollutants. You should also have the entire well system inspected every 10 years by a qualified well driller or pump installer. If you have no inspection record and cannot determine the age of the well, have it inspected immediately by a water well professional.
RCAP Solutions can provide you with a complimentary, on site, professional review of your well head and the recharge area in order to determine well maintenance needs. Well vulnerabilities are evaluated based on well specifications, nearby environmental threats, geology and contamination issues in the area.
RCAP Solutions will compile and assess this information for you to help identify potential issues, including contamination threats.
Private Wells in Our Region!
Helpful Links
Here are a few resources available with important information for homeowners with private wells:
- The Private Well Class: Private well owner online courses, webinars, events, and an extensive resource library.
- EPA Private Drinking Water Wells Page: Extensive articles, charts, infographics and information for private well owners.
- The Wellcare Hotline: Answering your questions about wells, water testing guidelines and list of state-certified water testing labs in your area.
Have questions? Looking for assistance?
If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about these services, please visit Our Services by State page and select your state or territory to view regional contact information.