Private Wells

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Private well owners should test their drinking water at least once a year, as many contaminants can't be seen, smelled, or tasted. Our Health Department laboratory offers many different water tests (and our staff are available to answer questions you may have about water testing).

Why test?

Nearly 1 in 4 Eau Claire County residents get their drinking water from a private well. Cities and villages are required to have their water tested frequently to be sure the water is safe to drink. Unlike water provided by city and village public water systems, there are no requirements for water from private wells to be tested routinely. Ensuring safety of the drinking water is the responsibility of the private well user, so we encourage routine drinking water testing. For more information on why or what to test, please read our water testing brochure.

Unfortunately, there is not one test that can test everything that can be in drinking water. Testing drinking water requires multiple instruments and processes to see what different contaminants may be present. Testing at our state certified laboratory makes sure that you receive affordable tests, along with reliable and timely results from dedicated and knowledgeable staff available to help answer questions about what to test for, what your results mean, and potential next steps that you can take after you receive your results. All of the lab tests offered are completed on-site at our health department laboratory in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Well Water Testing

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How often and what should I test for?

Contaminant	How Often to Test	Health Impacts
Coliform Bacteria	Every year	Coliform bacteria can indicate that other infectious bacteria, viruses, or parasites may be in your water and that your well is not properly protected. It cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. These may cause diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, nausea, headaches, fever, and fatigue.
Nitrate	Every year	Consuming too much nitrate can affect how blood carries oxygen and can cause blue baby syndrome. Bottle-fed babies under six months old are at the highest risk of being affected by nitrate. Blue baby syndrome can result in serious illness or death. Nitrate cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Nitrate is a naturally occurring chemical compound that can get into the environment in high levels due to human activities.
Arsenic	At least every five years and more frequently if it is found at elevated levels	Consuming water with even low levels of arsenic over a long time is associated with diabetes and increased risk of cancers of the bladder, lungs, liver, and other organs. Ingesting arsenic can also contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory disease; reduced intelligence in children; and skin problems such as lesions, discoloration, and the development of corns. Health impacts of arsenic may take many years to develop.
Lead	At least every five years and more frequently if it is found at elevated levels	Lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Lead can also slow development or cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems. While lead can affect everyone, babies, children under six years old, and pregnant women are at the highest health risks from lead. Lead can leach into drinking water from plumbing and fixtures. If you think you may have lead and/or copper plumbing in your home, or if you are unsure, testing is recommended.
Copper	At least every five years and more frequently if it is found at elevated levels	Most people's bodies process copper effectively. However, it is possible that eating or drinking too much copper can cause headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, liver damage, and kidney disease. Infants (babies under one year old) are more sensitive to copper. Their bodies are not able to get rid of extra copper easily. Copper can leach into drinking water from plumbing and fixtures. If you think you may have lead and/or copper plumbing in your home, or if you are unsure, testing is recommended.
Manganese	At least every five years and more frequently if it is found at elevated levels	Manganese can cause problems with memory, attention, and motor skills. It can also cause learning and behavior problems in infants and children.

It is especially important to test your water for lead and nitrate before a pregnant person or a baby consumes the water.
*See newborn bundle information in next section.
Test your well immediately if you ever notice a change in taste, color, or smell. (For more information, visit Identify your water’s symptoms from the Wisconsin DNR)
All treatment devices require regular maintenance and for devices that are connected to your home’s plumbing, you still should test the treated water after it is installed to make sure the device is working to remove contaminants.

Water Testing Bundles

NEW – Homeowner’s Bundles – We now offer multiple bundle options for homeowners to test their private well water quality.

Homeowners Bundle

Includes bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, copper, manganese, and lead.

Homeowners Plus Bundle

Includes bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, copper, manganese, lead, iron, and hardness.

Homeowners Premium Bundle

Includes a more complete picture of your well water quality. This package includes bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, copper, manganese, lead, iron, hardness, aluminum, antimony, barium, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, nickel, potassium, selenium, sodium, silver, thallium, and zinc.

Metals & Minerals Bundle

Includes arsenic, copper, manganese, lead, iron, hardness, aluminum, antimony, barium, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, nickel, potassium, selenium, sodium, silver, thallium, and zinc.

Newborn Bundle

Eau Claire County families with a pregnant woman or newborn child in a home with a private well can have FREE water tests for nitrate, bacteria, lead, copper, and fluoride. Call the Health Department at 715-839-4718 for more information.

Still have questions?

You can call us at 715-839-2870 to ask about the tests most appropriate for your well based on the water characteristics or concerns you have.

How much does it cost to test my well water?

How do I test my water?

Pick up a sample bottle at the Health Department main office (ground level of Eau Claire County Government Center - 720 2nd Avenue, Eau Claire).
- Our staff can help you decide which tests are most appropriate for your water concerns.
Follow instructions to fill up sample bottle(s).
Drop off filled sample bottles at the Health Department main office, Monday-Thursday (no Fridays), 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Our lab team will mail or email your results.
- Water test results are for your knowledge. You can decide if you want to treat your water or not.

What happens with my results?

What happens if my well is contaminated?

If your water contains bacteria or elevated levels of a contaminant, you should use a different source of water for drinking, making baby formula, and preparing foods that take up a lot of water (like oatmeal, rice and gelatin). Our lab team can recommend optional further testing or treatment options. The Health Department will not make you stop using the well if test results show contamination.

If bacteria are present in your well, the well can be disinfected. This often resolves the problem (sometimes this process needs to be completed more than once to successfully disinfect the well). A licensed pump installer can also do this process for you. View more information on well disinfection: Bacteriological Contamination of Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR).
If your well test results show that your water exceeds a health advisory level for a chemical component, we recommend that you do not drink the water. There are many affordable options to treat your water. If you install a treatment device or system, use a certified device. Using a certified device is important because it means the device has met a set of voluntary manufacturing and performance standards. A local plumber or water treatment specialist can help you determine the best treatment for your well. Wisconsin Department of Health has a Water Treatment Device fact sheet with more information on which the types of treatment devices are available for common contaminants.
At times, the most effective treatment option may be the reconstruction or replacement of a well. Qualifying homeowners may be eligible through the DNR to receive funding to replace, reconstruct, or treat a contaminated private well. Find out about the program and how to apply: Well Compensation Grant Program (Wisconsin DNR). This can be a complex process, it is best to work with a regional private well specialist.

Should I test for nitrite or nitrate in my drinking water?

Testing for nitrate is recommended, but nitrite testing is also available if desired.
Nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) are both forms of nitrogen, and both enter groundwater from the same sources. In groundwater nitrite readily converts to nitrate, making nitrite uncommon in groundwater. Nitrite testing is required for some types of home loans and new public water systems. Nitrogen exists in the form of nitrate at higher concentrations in groundwater, which is why nitrate testing is recommended for private well users.

Information about lead and copper in private well water

Lead is not usually found in well water. Lead may enter your drinking water as it travels from your well through your plumbing. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. There is no safe level of lead.
A lead or copper level from a sample from one faucet may not be representative of the lead and copper levels in the water that you are drinking. This is why we recommend collecting your sample to be tested for lead and/or copper from the faucet that you most often use for drinking and cooking. Pressure tanks, outdoor spigots, and other faucets that are not designed for drinking water may be made of higher amounts of lead and copper, which can lead to high levels in samples collected from these locations.

Our Fact Sheet: Understanding your Test Results - High Levels of Lead or Copper. More information about sampling and long-term solutions.
How to identify lead free certification marks for Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux Used for Drinking Water. From the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

More Information About Private Wells

Well Filling and Sealing (Abandonment)

Unused, contaminated, or improperly constructed wells risk the safety and quality of groundwater. These wells must be properly filled and sealed by a licensed professional. Eau Claire County offers a cost-sharing program to reimburse eligible owners 50% of the well abandonment cost, before construction begins.

Visit the Well Compensation Grant Program webpage or call Eau Claire County Land Conservation Division (715-839-6226) for more information.

Helpful links:

Well Filling and Sealing (Wisconsin DNR)
Contact a licensed well abandonment contractor (Wisconsin DNR publication)

Well Maintenance

To protect your water quality:

Maintain a secure well cover (cap). Check it occasionally to make sure it is in good shape.
Keep chemicals (such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil) and runoff away from your well.
Use a licensed or certified water well contractor and pump installer for constructing and installing your well.
Licensed and certified professionals can also provide routine care for your well. This ensures the quality of your water and useful life of your well.
Don't pile snow, leaves or other materials around your well. Be cautious when working or mowing around your well, so you don't damage the casing.
Keep records about when you've tested or done maintenance to your well.

Well Location Permits

Why Groundwater is Important in Eau Claire County

All drinking water in Eau Claire County comes from groundwater. It has been an important natural resource tens of thousands of years in the making.
Generally, our groundwater is of a very high quality. However, activities on the surface can easily contaminate groundwater, which is very difficult to restore once it has been contaminated.
There are approximately 9,000 private wells in Eau Claire County. In addition, all county municipalities rely on groundwater.

How Groundwater Gets Contaminated

There are some naturally occurring elements of our soils and rocks that can contaminate groundwater, such as arsenic and iron.
Human activities, such as spreading fertilizer on lawns, fields, and golf courses can lead to contaminated groundwater as rain infiltrates through the soil to the water table, bringing those chemicals from the surface to the groundwater below.
Individual household septic systems can also contribute to groundwater pollution, even if they are functioning well. Septic systems cannot break down all the products that we flush or wash away, such as medications and other substances.
Another potential source of groundwater contamination is above and below ground chemical storage tanks which may crack or leak over time.

Wells can serve as a direct pathway for contaminants from the surface to groundwater. Flood waters that surround a well and anything that is poured into a well can contaminate our groundwater. For this reason, unused wells should be filled and sealed as soon as possible by a licensed well driller or pump installer.

Find Out About the Construction of Your Well