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Drinking water: Private wells

We do not regulate the water quality for private water wells (they are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act). Only those that meet the definition of a Public Water System are regulated.

Additional resources

  • EPA: Private Wells | EPA: Groundwater | WellOwner.org | Private Well Class | National Ground Water Association.
  • Colorado State University water quality interpretation tool.
  • Water Systems Council Hotline
    • Information about wells and well water is available from the Wellcare Hotline, operated by the Water Systems Council, a national organization focused on well systems not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
    • The hotline can be reached by phone at 888-395-1033.
  • Safe Drinking Water Act
    • The federal Safe Drinking Water Act doesn’t apply to private wells, only to “public drinking water systems” — government or privately run companies supplying water to 25 people for at least 60 days of the year or has at least 15 service connections.
    • Individual well owners have primary responsibility for the safety of the water drawn from their wells. They don’t benefit from the government’s health protections for public water systems, which must comply with federal and state regulations for frequent analysis, testing and reporting of results.