State Well Water Guide
New York Private Well Water Guide
About 2.6 million New Yorkers rely on private wells, concentrated in rural upstate counties, Long Island, and suburban areas outside NYC's water distribution network. New York's geology creates localized contamination risks: naturally occurring arsenic and uranium in the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley, PFAS from industrial sites and military bases, trichloroethylene (TCE) and other solvents from manufacturing, and saltwater intrusion on Long Island. The NYS Department of Health provides voluntary guidance but does not mandate testing for private wells.
Testing Guidance
NYSDOH recommends annual testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates for all private wells. Additional testing for arsenic is advised in the Adirondacks, Hudson Valley, and Capital District. Long Island well owners should test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFAS, and nitrates from lawn and septic sources. Upstate wells near industrial or military sites should test for TCE, PCE, and PFAS.
What to Test For in New York
Total coliform bacteria and E. coli — annual minimum
Nitrates — particularly Long Island and agricultural areas
Arsenic — Adirondacks, Hudson Valley, Capital District bedrock wells
PFAS — within 2 miles of Plattsburgh AFB, Griffiss Business and Technology Park, Stewart Airport, and Long Island industrial sites
TCE and VOCs — near manufacturing areas in the Hudson Valley and Capital District
Uranium — northern Adirondack wells in granitic bedrock
Manganese — wells in glacial aquifers statewide
Lead — older wells with lead connectors or fittings
Common Contamination Risks in New York
Arsenic from granite and metamorphic bedrock — particularly in the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley
PFAS from military and industrial sites — multiple active remediation sites across upstate NY and Long Island
Nitrate contamination — Long Island's shallow aquifers are highly vulnerable to fertilizer and septic nitrogen loading
TCE and industrial solvents — legacy manufacturing contamination in numerous upstate communities
Manganese in glacial aquifers — particularly in central and western NY glacial till deposits
Saltwater intrusion — Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk County aquifers face ongoing saltwater encroachment from over-pumping
Contaminant Guides Relevant to NY Wells
PFAS
Synthetic Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 ppt
Lead
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 15 ppb (action level)
Nitrates
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
Disinfection Byproducts
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
Arsenic
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 10 ppb
Hard Water
Minerals
EPA limit: No federal limit
Chlorine
Disinfection Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL)
Microplastics
Emerging Contaminants
EPA limit: No federal limit
Bacteria
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero E. coli / < 1 coliform per 100 mL
Fluoride
Minerals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MCL) / 2 mg/L (Secondary MCL)
Chromium-6
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 100 ppb (total chromium)
Copper
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 1.3 mg/L (action level)
Radon
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: No finalized MCL
Iron & Manganese
Minerals
EPA limit: 0.3 mg/L iron / 0.05 mg/L manganese (aesthetic SMCLs)
Atrazine
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 3 ppb (0.003 mg/L)
Uranium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 30 µg/L (30 ppb)
Perchlorate
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: 0.056 mg/L (56 ppb)
VOCs
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: Varies by compound: benzene 5 ppb; TCE 5 ppb; PCE 5 ppb; vinyl chloride 2 ppb
Radium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)
Crypto & Giardia
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero (treatment technique standard)
Hydrogen Sulfide
Naturally Occurring Compounds
EPA limit: No MCL; Secondary MCL (aesthetic) of 0.05 mg/L
Selenium
Minerals
EPA limit: 50 ppb (0.05 mg/L)
Cadmium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 5 ppb (0.005 mg/L)
Mercury
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/L)
Barium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Find a Certified Lab in New York
Use the New York state-certified laboratory program to find accredited labs for private well testing. Always verify current certification before submitting samples.
NY Certified Lab Directory ↗New York Well Water FAQs
Related Pages
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Quick Reference
State program
NY Certified Labs ↗EPA guidance
EPA Private Wells Program ↗State lab directory
NY Certified Labs ↗Minimum Annual Tests
Plus state-specific contaminants listed above
Other State Guides