Private Well Water Testing Month at SWNPHD
This September, visit Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) to test your private well water for nitrates and learn more about keeping your drinking water safe.
Unlike public water systems, private wells are not monitored by a public agency. Private well owners are responsible for testing and maintaining their own water supply.
We encourage private well owners to test their water at least once a year for nitrates and bacteria, including E. coli. Water quality can change over time because of agricultural activity, septic systems, flooding or heavy rainfall, changes in nearby land use, or damage to the well or well system.
Free Nitrate Screening Available in September
During September, private well owners can bring a drinking water sample to one of SWNPHD’s two office locations for free paper strip tests for nitrates, nitrites, and phosphates.
To participate:
- Collect your sample from the faucet in your home that you use most often for drinking water.
- Let the water run for at least 5 minutes to flush water from the plumbing system.
- Fill a clean, sealed container with enough water to take a drink.
- Bring your sample to one of the following SWNPHD locations during regular business hours:
- McCook Office: 404 West 10th Street, McCook, NE
- Ogallala Office: 10 North Spruce Street, Suite B, Ogallala, NE
Our staff will help test your sample and explain the results. Paper test strips are a screening tool and do not replace laboratory results, which provide more accurate and complete testing.
Drinking Water Contamination
Common concerns for private wells in southwest Nebraska include nitrates and bacteria such as E. coli. High nitrate levels can be a health concern, especially for infants, pregnant women, or elderly who consume contaminated water. High levels of bacteria can result in disease-causing germs in the water and may indicate damage to the well system.
Testing your well water regularly can help identify changes in water quality and determine when additional testing or action may be needed.
What to do if Nitrate Levels Are High
If your well water tests high for nitrates, consider the following steps to improve water quality and ensure safe drinking water for you and your family.
- Consider laboratory testing. Laboratory testing can confirm the nitrate result and test for other contaminants, including bacteria and heavy metals. Laboratory tests provide a more complete and accurate assessment of your water quality.
- Evaluate the condition of your well. A professional inspection of the well and well system may help identify possible sources of contamination or needed repairs and maintenance.
- Consider water treatment. Different water treatment systems can reduce harmful contaminants in drinking water. Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are commonly used to reduce nitrates in private well water.
- Maintain treatment systems. If you use a treatment system, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for filter replacement and system maintenance. If nitrate levels remain high, consider having a qualified water-treatment professional assess that the system is working properly.
For more information about private well testing, water sampling instructions, or water quality, contact SWNPHD at info@swhealth.ne.gov or by calling 308-345-4223.