New Drilled Well Testing: What You Need to Know

If you have questions about whether you need to test your well or spring, check your Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Permit (WW Permit). You can also contact the well designer or driller you hired, or the regional office serving your area.

• Essex Junction: 802-879-5656
• Montpelier: 802-828-5034
• Rutland: 802-289-0603
• Saint Johnsbury: 802-751-0130
• Springfield: 802-289-0603

You must test for: 

• E. coli
• Total coliform bacteria
• Arsenic
• Fluoride
• Lead (first draw sample only)
• Manganese
• Nitrate
• Nitrite
• Uranium
• Gross alpha
• Chloride
• Sodium
• Iron
• pH

The DEC may also require you to test for other contaminants under certain circumstances. Check your WW Permit for any additional requirements. You can also ask the designer of your well or spring, the well driller, or the DEC regional office serving your area if you are required to test for other contaminants.

Testing drinking water involves collecting samples and sending them to a certified drinking water lab to get the results.

• You can collect the water samples yourself, or you can ask the well driller or designer you hired. 
  • A hydrogeologist, certified water specialist, town health officer, master plumber or certified public water system operator can also collect samples for you. 
• Before you test your water, the well must be disinfected with chlorine, then flushed to remove the chlorine from the water.
• You must collect all the samples from the cold-water faucet of the kitchen sink.
• You will get specific instructions on how to collect water samples from the lab you choose. 
  • There are a few different samples you will take, so please carefully follow the instructions from the lab. 
  • Please note that the lead sample is a “first draw” sample, meaning you need to collect that sample first after not running the water for 8 hours.

Refer to page 193 of the Rules for a complete list of who is allowed to collect water samples and the sampling requirements.

You can use the Health Department Lab or another certified drinking water lab. If you choose another lab, be sure to tell them the lead sample needs to be “first draw.” 

If you’re using the Health Department Lab, you can follow the step-by-step instructions for testing your water.

The cost for the test kits varies by lab. 

If you order from the Health Department Lab, the test kits are $151. You can order the test kits online, or call 802-338-4724 and ask for the “New Well or Spring Testing Package.”

When you get your water test results depends on the lab. 

If you use the Health Department Lab, your results will be emailed or mailed to you as soon as they are ready. Learn more about when to expect your results.

Find out what your results look like and how to understand them. Note that results from other labs will look different.

If you have questions about your results, please contact us.

All drinking water test results are automatically sent to the Health Department from certified drinking water labs (including the Health Department Lab). 

You may also need to submit your results to the DEC. 

• Check your WW Permit to see if you are required to submit your results. 
• The designer you hired can submit them for you, or you can submit them online.

The Health Department collects water test results and uses them to create maps to identify areas of concern for water contaminants in Vermont. You can see maps for certain drinking water contaminants, including arsenic, fluoride, gross alpha, nitrate, radon and uranium.

• You are not required to treat the water if the well or spring only connects to your single-family home. 
• You are required to treat the water if you share your water supply or are supplying water to something that is not a single residential unit.
• If you are a landlord or rent a property that provides water from a private well or spring, then you must comply with the Division of Fire Safety’s rental housing health and safety code.  

However, the Health Department recommends treating your water if there are high levels of contaminants. If you have questions about treatment, please contact us.

If you cannot afford to install a treatment system, find out if you are eligible for financial assistance. 

You are only required to test your water again if your WW Permit or the WW Program requires additional water testing. 

However, your water can change over time. Test your water again six to 12 months after installing a new well or deepening an existing one. These results will better represent your long-term water quality. Then continue testing your water regularly.

Test your water with the Homeowner Testing Package every five years, and for bacteria every year. This package includes tests for bacteria, inorganic chemicals and gross alpha radiation, which are the most common drinking water contaminants in Vermont. Learn more about testing your private drinking water. 

No, you are not required to test your water when you sell your home. 

However, the owner is required to give the Well Water Testing: A Home Buyer’s Guide to the potential buyer, which describes the benefits of testing drinking water. 

The Health Department suggests testing your water before putting your home up for sale. Learn more about water testing and real estate transactions.