Health Dept.: Have private well water tested annually

Jan. 18--ALBANY -- Local public health officials recommend that property owners should have their private water wells sampled for bacteria each year, says Southwest Health District Environmental Health Director Justin Smith.

"This is a good practice regardless of whether there has been an event that may have compromised the well's integrity," he said.

Weather conditions such as heavy rainfall or floods are not the only reasons private wells can become contaminated, Smith explained.

"Some wells may have issues because of their age or because of a system failure," he said. "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 your local 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 local environmental health office.

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