Southwest Georgia public health officials promote private water well testing

Jan. 14--ALBANY -- Southwest Public Health District officials recommend that property owners have their private water wells sampled for bacteria each year.

Justin Smith, the district's environmental health director, said weather conditions such as heavy rainfall or floods are not the only reasons private wells can become contaminated.

"This is a good practice regardless of whether there has been an event that may have compromised the well's integrity," he said. "Some wells may have issues because of their age or because of a system failure. Others may become contaminated during a power outage.

"Unlike public water systems that are tested daily, private water wells are only tested when the system owner requests it."

In addition to annual bacterial sampling, public health officials recommend contacting a University of Georgia extension agent to obtain a W33 water analysis every three years.

Environmental health specialists at county health departments can test private wells for bacterial contamination for a $50 fee. System owners may apply for service at their county's environmental health office.

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