Homeowner Resources

Well Owner Resources Hub

Practical guidance to keep your private well safe and reliable. Find your well record, test your water, disinfect when needed, and understand the components of your system.

Essential Well Owner Guides

Everything you need to maintain a safe, reliable water supply for your family.

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State Well Guides

State-specific guides covering costs, permits, timelines, and regulations for private wells.

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Find Your Well Record

Search millions of well logs by address and learn how to get records from your state.

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Well Water Testing

What to test for, when to test, and how to interpret results to keep your family safe.

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Shock Chlorination

Step-by-step guide to safely disinfect your well after contamination or repairs.

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Well Components Guide

Understand pumps, tanks, casings, and treatment systems to maintain your well.

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Well Caps & Covers

Why sanitary well caps matter and how to inspect and maintain your wellhead.

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Well Locations Map

Explore nearby well logs and aquifers on our national map (preview available).

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Homeowner collecting a water sample for testing from a kitchen faucet

HOMEOWNER ESSENTIALS

Owning a Private Well: What You Need to Know

Private wells deliver clean, affordable water to millions of U.S. homes—but unlike city water, there's no utility watching it for you. As a well owner, you are responsible for testing, maintenance, and protecting the wellhead from contamination.

Start with the essentials: locate your well record, perform annual testing, keep a secure sanitary well cap, and know when to disinfect.

Find Your Well Record

Quick Start for New Well Owners

Four high-impact actions that protect your health and your system.

Get Your Well Record

Know depth, construction, pump details, and yield. It's essential for service and home sales.

Test Annually

At minimum: bacteria and nitrates every year; metals and other contaminants every 3–5 years.

Protect the Wellhead

Use a sanitary cap, keep vegetation clear, and slope ground away to prevent runoff entering.

Know When to Disinfect

After repairs, flooding, or a positive bacteria test, follow proper shock chlorination steps.

Need Help Right Now?

Connect with licensed well professionals for testing, chlorination, repairs, and treatment systems.

Find a Contractor Find Your Well Record