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About the Program

Thousands of Alabama residents rely on private water systems for their drinking water source. With well ownership comes a specific set of responsibilities, that includes the maintenance, testing, and treatment of their own water system. Wells can become contaminated through improper construction, maintenance, or poor stewardship practices around the well. Carefully monitoring and keeping a detailed record of the well can help in preventing future problems from occurring, while annual testing can help assure safe drinking water quality for the household utilizing a private well system as their primary drinking water source.

The Alabama Private Well Program is an educational program that aims to:

  • Educate residents about water quality issues
  • Provide resources to domestic well owners about the maintenance and protection of their wells
  • Empower well owners to get their drinking water quality tested
  • Answer questions and concerns that well owners have
  • Form a network of private well users in Alabama

The Alabama Private Well Program was established in 2020 and is focused on identifying stakeholder groups and engaging in outreach and consultation across the state. The Private Well Program emphasizes private well topics with agency partners, Extension staff, and citizens to address common questions and concerns. This is done through the creation of resources housed on the Alabama Cooperative Extension System web page, webinars, and in-person workshops. The Private Well Program works with Extension personnel, researchers, industry partners, and private well owners to assess needs, identify issues, set research priorities, and establish a well owner network.

Anyone who wants to learn about, improve, and protect community water resources can participate in the Alabama Private Well Program.

Program Resources

Owning a Private Well in Alabama (Handbook)

Owning a Private Well in Alabama (Online Course)

In-Person Workshops and Online Webinars

Topics Covered

Woman filling a glass of water from a stainless steel or chrome tap or faucet, close up on her hand and the glass with running water and air bubbles.

What is an Aquifer?

Groundwater of Alabama

Water Well Construction Standards

Basics of Testing Well Water

Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results

Common Contaminants Found in Well Water

EPA Drinking Water Guidelines

Decommissioning Unused or Abandoned Wells

Where to Get Your Well Water Tested

Specific Treatment Options for Water Well Owners

General Treatment Options for Wells

Problems With Water Yield in Private Water Wells

Protecting Well Water

Flooded Wells: Shock Chlorination

How to Take a Well Water Sample

Water Well Placement – Why Does it Matter?

Where to Find Information About a Private Water Well 

More Information

A full page of resources can be found on the Private Well Program web page. If you have questions about the Private Well Program, contact alwells@auburn.edu.

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