Testing on private wells should be done annually, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach water quality program manager Jamie Benning. It is important to keep an eye on the quality of water coming from private wells and to check regularly for possible contaminants like nitrate and bacteria. The Washington County Environmental Health Department offers free water tests to anyone on a private well in Washington County. The department also assists with money reimbursements for plugging abandoned wells and renovating wells. ISU advises that spring and summer are ideal times to test wells, because the melting snow and spring rains moving through the soil, recharge the aquifer. Following recent flooding, Benning says if flood waters reached your private well casing, covered the top of the well casing, or covered areas around neighboring wells, then the Iowa DNR recommends testing for total coliform bacteria.

Find more information about testing in Washington County here.