By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Testing private water wells
Stacy Campbell
Stacy Campbell

Contamination of drinking water can be caused by improperly disposed chemicals, animal wastes, pesticides, wastes injected underground, and naturally occurring substances. Public water systems use water treatment and monitoring to protect consumers from such contaminants. Unlike public water users, private well owners are responsible for all quality and safety aspects of their water.


Ensuring Safe Drinking Water 

About 151,000 people in Kansas get their drinking water from private wells (United States Geological Survey, 2016). Wells and springs are often contaminated because of poor location, inadequate construction, delayed or lack of maintenance, accidents, and little protection. The most common health-concern contaminants are coliform bacteria, especially E.coli or fecal coliform, and nitrates. Others include metals (lead and copper), salts (often sodium chloride), petrochemicals, and pesticides. Water tests taken before pollution begins, or in its early stages, are helpful in showing damage to the water supply. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE’s) Environmental Interest Finder, found at maps.kdhe.state.ks.us/keif/ can provide guidance on nearby known contaminated sites and probable contaminants of concern.

See the latest copy of KDHE’s publication, Private Well Maintenance and Protection, for detailed private water well maintenance needs. Essential steps to be followed by the owner or well water user are:


Well location and construction

• Consult a Kansas-licensed well contractor to verify proper separation between your well, home, waste systems, and chemical storage facilities. 

• Periodically check the well cover or well cap to ensure it is intact.

• Ensure that the top of the well is at least one foot above the ground.

• Slope the ground away from your well for proper drainage. 


Well maintenance, evaluation, and protection

• Wells should be checked and tested annually for mechanical problems; cleanliness; and the presence of coliform bacteria, nitrates/nitrites, and any other contaminants of local concern.

• Store chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticide, oil, fuel, paint, or solvent far away from the well.

• Don’t allow back-siphonage. When mixing pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals, don’t put the hose inside the tank or container.

• Keep your well records such as the construction report, annual water well system maintenance reports, and water testing results in a safe place.


Necessary Testing

There is no single test for drinking water safety. Routine testing is the only reliable way to find pollutants and evaluate the safety of your water, and is necessary to determine the need for treatment. See the latest KDHE publication - Recommended Water Tests for Private Wells. KDHE recommends annual testing for bacteria (total coliform, and E.coli or fecal coliform) and nitrates. Other testing is required to ensure safe, contaminant-free water, especially when a well has location or construction deficiencies. For most other contaminants, a test every one to three years is adequate and forms a baseline for detecting changes that indicate possible contamination.

If your property is in Ellis County with a private well the Ellis County Environmental Office, located in the County Administrative Bldg. at 718 Main Street conducts private well testing. They can be contacted by calling 785-628-9449.

Outside of Ellis County if you have any questions on private well testing you could contact your local County or District Extension Office. 


Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Cottonwood Extension District. Email him at scampbel@ksu.edu or call the Hays office, 785-628-9430.