Free Well Water Testing Available for Delaware Homes

State of DE - Delaware residents who use private wells for their drinking water can now request free testing for PFAS and other contaminants.

The program is offered through a partnership between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).

The testing is part of a larger effort to find and address possible contaminants in drinking water across the state. It also supports a goal in Delaware's 2026 PFAS Implementation Plan to expand access to well testing statewide.

Private wells are not covered under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act like public water systems are. That means well owners are usually responsible for testing their own water and keeping their wells in good shape.

This program gives households a chance to check the safety of the water they use for drinking, cooking and other everyday tasks.

There is no cost to residents for the sampling or the lab work. Once someone submits a request and consent form, a staff member or contractor will reach out within two weeks to schedule an appointment.

If a test finds a contaminant above the safe limit, a team member from DHSS will contact the resident within 24 to 48 hours with information on next steps. DHSS also offers help for residents who cannot afford to fix a contamination issue.

Low-income households can get full coverage for a mitigation device and its first year of maintenance, while moderate-income households can get up to half of those costs covered.

For certain PFAS findings, DNREC and DHSS may take extra steps to lower exposure and look at long-term fixes. In most cases, filtration and a year of maintenance are provided at no cost, along with helpful information for the homeowner.

This testing program is part of Delaware's broader PFAS work, which includes checking groundwater, looking into possible sources of contamination and reducing exposure where it is found.

Data from private wells can also help the state figure out which areas need a closer look.

Funding for the work comes partly from settlement money tied to DuPont, Chemours and Corteva, along with federal EPA support for small and disadvantaged communities.

Residents who want free testing can fill out the Private Well Water Sampling Request and Consent Form.

More information on PFAS in Delaware is available at de.gov/pfas.