Well Water

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for about 44 percent of the total population or more than 2.1 million people in Alabama. Approximately 800,000 people, or 20 percent of the state population, depend on private water supplies, such as wells, for drinking water.

If you obtain drinking water from your own well, you are responsible for ensuring it is safe. For this reason, routine testing is highly recommended. Even if you currently have a safe, pure water supply, regular testing can be valuable because it establishes a record of water quality.

Bacteriological testing for drinking water suitability for public water systems and private well owners is important. To have your well water tested, you may call your county health department and request that an environmentalist collect the sample. There may be a collection fee.

For instructions on how to collect the specimen yourself, download our Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Well Water Tested. This guide also includes solutions for treating contamination. It is required that you use one of the containers provided by your local county health department. The results will be available approximately 24 hours after the specimen is received. There may be a testing fee for each sample.

How to Disinfect Your Water Well

1. Sample Well Water
   Sample well water to determine IF it needs disinfecting. Sample containers can be
   obtained at the local county health department or from the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories
   (204 Legends Court, Prattville, AL 36066). Should test results on the sample reveal
   contamination, the following is a basic guideline for disinfecting the well water.
2. Chlorinate the Well
   Add 1/2 gallon of chlorine solution (such as unscented bleach) to the well and wait for the
   solution to saturate the well water (about 1 hour).
3. Chlorinate the Water Lines
   Turn on the faucet located closest to the well, let the water run until you can smell the
   chlorine, then turn the faucet off. Working your way away from the well, repeat this step
   with each faucet (including outside faucets).
4. Disinfect the System
   When all faucets have been done, the entire system will contain chlorinated water. ALL
   faucets should remain OFF overnight (or about 12 hours).
5. Rinse the Water Lines
   The next morning (or after all faucets have been off 12 hours), start with the faucet closest
   to the well and turn the faucet on, let the water run until you no longer smell the chlorine,
   then turn the faucet off. Working your way away from the well, repeat this step at each
   faucet (including outside faucets).
6. Re-Test the Water Well
   Sample well water to determine that the water is no longer contaminated.

*Repeat if testing reveals contamination is still present in the water, possibly increasing the amount of chlorine and length of time. If you have any questions, please call the County Health Department's Environmental Health Division.

Additional Resources

• Alabama Cooperative Extension System Private Well Program