Contaminants could show up in your drinking water, potentially putting your family's health at risk. Because you may not taste, smell, or see many types of contaminants, the state Department of Health (DOH) believes regular water testing is very important.

 

If you own a private well, you are responsible for testing your own water. In most counties when you buy or sell a home with a private well, the county health or planning department, or the lending institution involved, may require the seller to provide water-sampling results to show the water is safe to drink. Contact your local county health or planning department for information on the requirements and the testing needed.

​

DOH recommends that private well owners test their drinking water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate. These two contaminants rapidly could affect a person's health—possibly even with just one drink of water. If your nitrate level is 5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or higher, you may want to re-test in six months.

​

If you live within a specific boundary of the Lower Yakima Valley or Western Benton County, you may qualify for free nitrate and coliform Testing. Fill out this Well Water Sampling and Site Assessment online form to see if you qualify for this free well-testing opportunity.

​

At least twice, while you own the well, we also suggest testing for arsenic—once in summer and again in winter—to check any seasonal influences that may occur. Though arsenic does not cause rapid health effects, continued consumption over a relatively short time could lead to health concerns.  The 2010 costs generally range from $25 to $55 per test.