How to use this directory
Start with the source closest to your location and situation. Sample bottles, holding times, available tests, acceptable levels, construction rules, and required follow-up vary. Local laboratory and public-health instructions take priority over a general article.
Core source list
- Health Canada: Well water and health overview
- Health Canada: Test your well water
- Health Canada: Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
- Health Canada: Drinking-water operational parameters
- CDC: Guidelines for testing well water
- CDC: Well water safety
- U.S. EPA: Private drinking water wells
- U.S. EPA: Learn about private water wells
- U.S. EPA: Protect your home’s water
- U.S. EPA: Potential well-water contaminants
- U.S. EPA: State private-well program directory
- NSF: Standards for residential water-treatment systems
- Ontario: Wells on your property
- Ontario: Map of reported well records
- Ontario: Well records
- British Columbia: Information for well owners
- Alberta: Getting private water tested
- Manitoba: Well Aware resources
Canada
Health Canada publishes national drinking-water guidance, while provinces and territories implement their own policies and programs. Municipal or regional public-health units and certified laboratories may provide the most specific sampling and follow-up instructions.
Ontario starting points
Western Canada examples
United States
The EPA private-well program links to state programs. County or state health departments may provide local sampling, contamination, and contractor information.
Editorial use of sources
WellWaterGuide.org links to sources rather than claiming that its summaries replace them. When source guidance differs, the more local and situation-specific instruction should be followed.