Private well vs. city water, what changes for you
City water is tested by the utility under federal rules, and you get a yearly report. A private well is tested by no one but you. The EPA says private wells aren't federally regulated. That means a yearly lab test, wellhead checks and any treatment are your job and your cost.
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The utility tests city water, and you test your well.
A public water system has to meet the EPA's drinking water limits under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Minnesota Department of Health notes that public systems there are tested for more than 100 contaminants, and each one sends customers a yearly water quality report, called a Consumer Confidence Report.
A private well has none of that. The EPA says private wells aren't regulated by the federal government under the Safe Drinking Water Act, or by most states. More than 43 million people in the US rely on one, according to the EPA.
On a well, the water quality is your job.
Here's what moves from the utility to you:
| Task | City water | Private well |
|---|---|---|
| Testing | The utility, on a set schedule | You, once a year at least |
| Meeting EPA limits | Required by law | Not required. You decide what to fix |
| Fixing a problem | The utility | You, at your cost |
| Water quality report | Mailed or posted yearly | Your own lab reports |
| Equipment | The utility's pipes and plant | Your well, pump, pressure tank and any treatment |
The CDC and the EPA recommend testing a private well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids and pH. See our testing guide for what else to check. Your state or county may test private wells for free or at a discount, so ask before you pay a lab.
Most wells have at least 1 problem worth knowing about.
A well pumps groundwater straight to your tap. Nothing treats it unless you install something.
Penn State Extension says most private wells have at least 1 water quality problem. Some are health concerns, like bacteria, nitrate and lead. Others are nuisances, like hardness, iron and a rotten egg smell.
The costs are different, too.
Well owners don't pay a water bill. They do pay for:
- A yearly lab test. Penn State says bacteria tests usually cost $20 to $40, and single tests range from a few dollars to over $100.
- Electricity to run the pump
- Repairs and replacement of the pump and pressure tank
- Any treatment the water needs. Minnesota's 2017 to 2018 estimates run from $10 for a carbon filter at one tap to $12,000 for whole-house reverse osmosis.
The power going out matters more on a well.
A well pump runs on electricity. When the power goes out, the pump stops, and you have only what's left in the pressure tank. The Minnesota Department of Health's handbook describes the pressure tank as storage that lets the pump start and stop less often.
Questions people ask
Is well water better than city water?
It depends on the well. Well water can be excellent, or it can carry bacteria, nitrate, arsenic or other problems, and a lab test tells you which. City water has to meet EPA limits, and you can read its yearly report.
Is well water safe to drink?
A U.S. Geological Survey study of 2,100 private wells, cited by the EPA, found about 1 in 5 had at least 1 contaminant over a health benchmark. The only way to know about yours is a lab test from a state certified lab. Start with bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids and pH.
Do I have to test my well by law?
In most places, no. Some states require testing in certain cases. Minnesota, for example, requires a test for bacteria, nitrate and arsenic when a new well is built.
Can I switch from a well to city water?
Only if a public water line runs near your property. Ask your town or water utility about connection costs. If you switch, the Minnesota Department of Health says to have the old well sealed by a licensed contractor.
Do I need a water softener on a well?
Only if your water is hard and the scale bothers you. Hardness isn't on the EPA's list of health limits. A test tells you how hard your water is.
Where this comes from
- EPA, Private Drinking Water Wells
- Minnesota Department of Health, Home Water Treatment (PDF)
- EPA, National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
- EPA, Protect Your Home's Water
- CDC, Guidelines for Testing Well Water
- Penn State Extension, Private Water Systems FAQs
- Minnesota Department of Health, Well Owner's Handbook