Water Records Help
Private Well vs. Public Water Records: What Applies to You
Public water utility records on Water Utility Report apply to public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. If your household uses a private well, those records do not describe your water supply.
What this page helps with
- Understanding whether utility records apply to your household
- Knowing what federal protections apply to private wells
- Understanding why private well testing is the owner's responsibility
- Finding resources for private well testing guidance
Important: Water Utility Report summarizes official records and source data. It does not determine whether water is safe to drink. For current safety guidance, check your utility, state drinking water agency, local health department, or a certified laboratory.
What official records can show
- Records for public community water systems and non-transient non-community systems registered with EPA
- Whether a public water system serves your address based on EPA service area data
- Sampling, violation, and CCR records for the public water system associated with your PWSID
What official records may not show
- Any information about private wells — these are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act and do not have SDWIS records
- Conditions in your home's plumbing after the point where water enters from a public system
- Water quality for households that use hauled water, cisterns, or rainwater collection
What the Safe Drinking Water Act covers
The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulates public water systems — community water systems serving 25 or more people or 15 or more service connections, and non-transient non-community systems. It does not regulate private wells. Approximately 13% of U.S. households use private wells as their primary drinking water source.
Private well users: what this means for your records search
If you use a private well, searching for a utility on Water Utility Report will find records for nearby public systems — but those records do not describe your water supply. Your well is a separate source not included in EPA's SDWIS database, and its quality is your responsibility to monitor.
What private well users typically test for
The CDC and state health agencies widely recommend that private well owners test annually at minimum for coliform bacteria, nitrate, and pH. Depending on your location and land use history, additional testing may be warranted for PFAS, arsenic, radon, pesticides, and other contaminants. Use a state-certified laboratory for well water testing.
Private wells are the owner's responsibility. There are no federal regulatory requirements for private well testing. Water Utility Report does not display records for private wells and does not determine whether private well water is safe to drink.
How to find your well's water quality information
- Test with a state-certified laboratory — at minimum for bacteria, nitrate, and pH annually.
- Check with your state environmental or health agency for information on known contamination in your area.
- Review EPA's private well resources for guidance on what to test and how often.
- Ask your county health department whether there are known groundwater quality issues near your property.
What to check next
What this does not mean
- This page does not determine whether water is safe or unsafe to drink.
- A detection record does not automatically mean a violation.
- A missing record does not prove a contaminant is absent.
- Federal datasets may lag behind current local conditions.
- Household plumbing, private wells, and point-of-use conditions may differ from utility-level records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my household uses a public water system or a private well?
If you receive a water bill from a utility and a Consumer Confidence Report, you are likely on a public water system. If your home has its own well and pump equipment, you are likely on a private well. Your county health department or property records can confirm.
Are there federal regulations for private wells?
No. The Safe Drinking Water Act does not regulate private wells. Testing, maintenance, and treatment are the sole responsibility of the well owner. Some states have their own regulations for new well construction, but operational testing is typically voluntary.
What does it cost to test a private well?
A basic bacterial and nitrate panel typically costs $30–$80. A comprehensive panel covering 50+ parameters can cost $200–$500. Some state and county health departments offer subsidized testing for qualifying households.
How often should I test my private well?
The CDC and most state health agencies recommend annual testing at minimum for coliform bacteria, nitrate, and pH. More frequent or broader testing is recommended if you notice changes in taste, odor, or appearance, or if there has been flooding, nearby land disturbance, or a known contamination event.
Can I search Water Utility Report to find out about contamination near my private well?
You can search for nearby public water systems to understand what contaminants have been detected in the area's groundwater or surface water sources. However, conditions at your well may differ significantly from nearby public systems. For information specific to your well, test with a certified laboratory.