Private Well Owners: Sole Responsibility for Water Safety
Approximately 43 million Americans rely on private wells for drinking water. Unlike public water systems subject to EPA and state monitoring requirements, private well owners are responsible for testing and treating their own water. PFAS contamination of private wells is widespread near military bases, airports, industrial sites, and farmland with biosolid application history—yet private well PFAS testing rates remain low.
When to Test for PFAS
Private well owners should test for PFAS if they are within 5 miles of a military installation that used AFFF, near an airport or industrial facility with fluorochemical use, located in an area with biosolid application to agricultural land, experiencing taste or odor changes in well water, or located in a state with documented regional PFAS groundwater contamination. Annual testing is recommended in any of these circumstances.
Selecting a Certified Laboratory
PFAS testing requires a laboratory certified for EPA Method 533 or Method 537.1. Not all environmental laboratories offer PFAS testing, and unlicensed laboratories may use methods with inadequate detection limits. State environmental agencies maintain lists of certified PFAS testing laboratories. Testing costs typically range from $150–$400 for a basic PFAS panel, with expanded panels covering more compounds costing more.
Understanding and Acting on Results
Well owners receiving PFAS results should compare concentrations to applicable EPA MCLs and state standards. Results above MCLs warrant immediate alternative water use for drinking and cooking, professional consultation for treatment options, and notification to state environmental agencies. Even results below MCLs may prompt consideration of point-of-use treatment for sensitive household members, particularly during pregnancy or infant formula preparation