Know what’s in your well

Nearly one in four people living in Oregon get their drinking water from a well.

If you are one of them, you have the right to know what’s in your water. Domestic well water can be contaminated by bacteria, nitrates, and arsenic, among other things—all of which can have serious health impacts.

Why should you be concerned?
These contaminants can cause serious health problems such as cancer, miscarriage and thyroid disorders. Pregnant women and small children are particularly at risk from nitrate exposure, especially infants because their digestive and enzyme systems are not fully developed. High levels of nitrates can cause infants to suffer from “Blue Baby Syndrome,” which decreases the ability of blood to carry oxygen and can be fatal.

Oregon has a fairly widespread problem with nitrate, arsenic and bacteria contamination of well water. Oregon Health Authority has excellent resources, including an online Water Well Owner’s Handbook and an interactive map showing areas where tests of private wells have concerning levels of arsenic and nitrates.

Oregon Health Authority recommends that all domestic well owners conduct a one-time arsenic test and annual nitrate and bacteria tests. State law currently requires property owners to test domestic wells at the time of a property sale. However, compliance with that requirement is low, and state officials have no enforcement mechanism.

In reality, most families that drink well water have never had their well tested, and renters often lack information on whether their well water is safe to drink, despite the legal requirement of landlords to provide safe drinking water.

Oregon Environmental Council is forwarding legislation in Salem to ensure that renters who depend on well water at their homes for drinking, cooking and bathing have information about contaminants so they can take action to protect their families.

Our “Safe Well Water” bill (which did not pass in 2019, but we’ll try for again) seeks to:

  • Require landlords to test drinking water wells for E. coli, arsenic and nitrates, and inform tenants of the testing results.
  • Direct Oregon Health Authority to analyze well test data and provide public education in areas where contaminants are present.
  • Create a new Safe Well Water Fund to help local health authorities and other educators provide well water education and testing of wells, and to provide grants and loans to low-income property owners and landlords for repair of drinking water wells or installation of water quality treatment systems.
Related Posts
Filter by
Post Page
Water News Policy Water Conservation Featured Transportation Solutions Air Quality Earth Day OEC News/Updates/Events Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Toxics-Free Environments Climate Protection Environmental Health Eco-Healthy Homes Rural Partnerships
Sort by
oregon state capitol at sunset with water fountains in front

Mid-Session Update: Tracking the Flow of Our Water Bills

We’re officially past the halfway point in this legislative session. After dozens of meetings with legislators, and hundreds of Oregonians contacting their representatives to speak up for the issues that matter most, this is a key moment when the fate of our bills – and the thousands of other bills that have been submitted – is determined.    Oregon’s 83rd
April 23, 2025, 10:37 am
klew

1

Bikes, Trains, Buses, and Walkable Streets: The Future Oregonians Want

Today, 100+ Oregonians are rallying in Salem to deliver a message shared by more than a thousand during a legislative listening tour last summer – public and active transportation is equally important no matter where you live in Oregon.
April 17, 2025, 5:30 am
mcadmin

1

Celebrate Earth Month with BottleDrop Give!

Happy Earth Month! Obviously, this is our favorite time of year at OEC. It’s an opportunity to go on a favorite hike, connect with your community, and reflect on the beauty and bounty of our one and only planet. However, this season isn’t just about celebration: it’s also about looking ahead, and standing up for the future of our home. With ever-mounting threats from the federal administration, and
April 14, 2025, 11:35 am
samp

1

A field of pink tulips with a calendar graphic and the words "Earth Month Events" with an arrow and heart

Make Earth Month Count in 2025

Earth Day and OEC were formed just a year apart (1970 and 1969, respectively), and our collective missions have always been parallel. OEC’s work has proven that strong, lasting environmental protections are possible when we work together. From the nation’s first Bottle Bill to the Clean Fuels Program (which has cut 10M tons of carbon emissions – and counting – from our atmosphere). Just as our movement has progressed, so has Earth Day. It evolved into Earth Month, and
April 1, 2025, 9:56 am
mcadmin

1

Text says: What is "Ways and Means" Anyways? and includes a graphic with Oregon

What is “Ways and Means,” Anyway?

Making laws is complicated – and that can be a good thing. Good public policy – which OEC has championed from the beginning – requires thinking through how a program will be carried out as well as what resources will be needed to make it successful.
March 19, 2025, 11:24 am
robinr

1

"It

Forever Chemicals in Oregon? Not If We Stop Them.

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” for a reason: once they’re in the environment, they stick around – causing harm for generations. This group of synthetic chemicals are added to products to deflect heat, grease, and water. But, instead of helping, these toxic chemicals are cau
March 13, 2025, 4:45 pm
crystal2530

1

Illustrated image of a kitchen featuring an induction stovetop and wall mounted heat pump. Graphics include table/chairs kitchen sink, fridge and include a visual burst to callout the electric devices that are helping the home be more energy efficient.

A Climate Solution You Can Live In: Q&A on Building Resilience

Sometimes big-impact solutions to the climate crisis can feel beyond our control – other times they’re right within reach, like upgrading our homes and buildings. This Q&A with Brad Reed, Director of Building Resilience, highlights how we can transform our homes and communities into climate-resilient havens. From heat pumps to insulation, Brad explains how basic upgrades can protect our health and our communities, while also saving money on
March 3, 2025, 11:38 am
robinr

1

Move Oregon Forward: A Coalition and Vision for Our Transportation Future

There’s a big problem happening in our transportation system today, and it’s been decades in the making. The Oregon Department of Transportation is facing a $1.8 billion deficit. If this is not met, ODOT staff have sai
January 21, 2025, 6:20 pm
kristopherf

1

image of high voltage transmission lines in front of a pretty blue sky and fluffy clouds.

The Clean Grid Explained: Key Terms for Understanding How Electricity Moves in Oregon

January 17, 2025, 11:15 am
mcadmin

1

Stock "We

Now Hiring – Legislative Director

January 2, 2025, 4:33 pm
mcadmin

1

1 Reply to "Know what’s in your well"

  • What we're watching: Water | Oregon Environmental Council
    April 25, 2019 (10:35 pm)

    […] one in four people living in Oregon get their drinking water from a well. If you are one of them, you have the right to know what’s in your water. Domestic well water can be contaminated by bacteria, nitrates, and arsenic, among other […]