Wells

With nearly 80% of all drinking water in Iowa being withdrawn from water supply wells or ground water, we need to understand the basics about obtaining water from wells and how to protect ourselves and the environment from the effects of improper well design, construction, or repair. As a private well owner, you are responsible for your own water testing however the county may be able to assist with some of the testing.

Private Well Water Sampling

The Story County Environmental Health Department participates in the Grants to Counties Water Well Program administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Under this program, Story County residents who use a private water well are eligible for free well water testing for Coliform bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, and manganese. Annual well water testing is strongly recommended to help determine the integrity of the well and its distribution system.

This grant also allows Story County private well owners to be eligible to receive reimbursement of up to $1,000 for a well renovation, up to $500 for a well plugging, and up to $300 for an eligible cistern plugging. The grant money becomes available annually on July 1 and is dispersed to eligible residents in the order that requests are received until the grant money is depleted.

If you wish to participate in this program or have any questions about eligibility, please contact the Story County Environmental Health Department at 515-382-7240 or by email at Health Department.

Relevant Links:

https://idph.iowa.gov/Environmental-Health-Services/Grants-to-Counties-Water-Well-Program
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Private-Well-Program#13901308-information-every-private-well-user-should-know
https://www.epa.gov/privatewells
https://wellowner.org/basic
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/index.html