Well User Protection

Are you one of the more than 3 million private well users in NC? Most wells have never been inspected or tested for more than bacteria, even when state and local agencies knew of nearby contamination sites.

We work towards strengthening protections for well users throughout the state through outreach, public education, well-testing, and advocating for local & state policies!

The NC Department of Health and Human Services' Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch is an excellent resource for questions regarding private well water quality and testing. Visit their website, or contact staff directly at (919) 707-5900.

You can also search in the map below for your county's Environmental Health Director contact information! They can help you directly with any questions you may have about well water quality concerns or testing questions:

Contact Your Local EHD below

EH County Directory

When should a well be tested?

All newly constructed wells drilled after July 2008 in NC are rquired to be tested by the State Laboratory of Public Health or a state-certified laboratory (search for one below!) before becoming a drinking water source.

The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services recommends that all private well users test their water after repairs or replacements to well components or following flooding events.

 

How often should I test my well water?

Every Year: Test for total and fecal coliform bacteria
Every Two Years: Test for heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites, lead and copper. Nitrates is included in the standard state testing. 
Every Five Years: Test for pesticides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you know a particular pesticide that is applied in your area, test yearly

Well Sampling Information for Lower Cape Fear Area Residents

As of September 2025, approximately 104,000 homes were eligible for screening under the Consent Order.  Residents who have previously requested sampling and are newly eligible will be contacted soon to arrange sampling.

If you live in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender or Columbus counties, call Chemours at (910) 678-1100 or complete Chemours’ online form to request well sampling or for more information. More information here: Well Sampling Information for Lower Cape Fear Area Residents | NC DEQ

Other special circumstances that may require a well to be tested include: 

  • If you are pregnant or have an infant at home, test your water for nitrates. If your test comes back positive for nitrates in your well water, avoid drinking it or using it to prepare baby formula. Note: Boiling water does not remove nitrates.
  • If you know that other folks in your area are experiencing issues with their well water
  • If you’ve experienced flooding, land disturbances, or are impacted by nearby waste disposal sites
  • If you notice changes in water quality, including taste, color, odor
  • If you live near the Chemours facility near Fayetteville discharged GenX and related PFAS compounds into the Cape Fear River for decades, affecting more than 500,000 people’s water supply.

Important Private Well User Resources

Certified Drinking Water Labs. CWFNC recommends using only state certified drinking water labs to test the quality of your water. Testing kits you receive in the mail are often associated with water filter marketing schemes! We can work with you to find a certified lab to test your water.