Free Private Well Water Testing Available for Delawareans
DNREC is offering free testing of private wells used for drinking water. The testing will look for PFAs and other contaminants through a statewide program offered by DNREC and the Department of Health and Social Services. Public drinking water systems are regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, however private wells are not and those who rely on private wells are generally responsible for testing their own water and making sure their well is properly maintained. There is no cost to residents for sampling or the lab analysis.
Additional information from DNREC:
This free testing is available as part of Delaware’s expanded efforts to identify and address potential contaminants in drinking water. The program also advances a priority identified in Delaware’s 2026 PFAS Implementation Plan to expand access to PFAS testing for private wells across the state.
After a resident submits the request and consent form, within two weeks, an agency staff member or the state’s sampling contractor will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment.
If testing finds a chemical or bacteriological contaminant above a threshold level, a member of the DHSS Division of Public Health (DPH) team or contractor will notify the resident within 24-48 hours and provide information about next steps. DHSS also offers a low-income assistance program for residents who are unable to afford mitigation for a specific contaminant. Upon qualification, low-income households can receive 100% coverage of mitigation device installation and one year of device maintenance. Moderate income households can qualify for up to 50% coverage of mitigation device installation and up to 50% coverage for one year of maintenance.
For certain PFAS detections, DNREC and DHSS may take additional steps to reduce exposure and evaluate longer-term solutions. Delaware has established threshold concentrations for certain PFAS to help determine when treatment may be needed. In most cases, DNREC or DHSS may provide filtration and maintenance at no cost for one year along with technical information to assist the resident.
The private well testing program complements Delaware’s broader PFAS work, which includes sampling groundwater and other environmental media, investigating potential PFAS sources and taking steps to reduce exposure where contamination is found. Information collected through private well sampling may also help DNREC and DHSS identify areas that warrant additional investigation.
Delaware’s PFAS response is supported in part by settlement funding from DuPont, Chemours and Corteva. Much of DNREC’s private well work is also supported by Emerging Contaminants in Small Disadvantaged Communities funding, provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The state’s 2026 PFAS Implementation Plan identifies continued drinking water testing, investigations and responses among Delaware’s priorities for addressing PFAS contamination.
Private well owners interested in free testing can complete the Private Well Water Sampling Request and Consent Form and learn more about PFAS in Delaware at de.gov/pfas.