Indicator: Well Water

 

Definition: Percent of people served by domestic (self-supplied) wells.

 

Why is this important:  Everyone needs clean water to drink. Contaminated water can be a threat to anyone’s health, especially young children. The risk of having drinking water quality problems depends on how good a well was built, how well it is maintained, the local environment, the aquifer from which water is drawn, and human activities in the area. All 50 states have detected elevated groundwater levels of contaminants. Local rules and permitting help ensure wells are built properly, but the responsibility of checking to make sure a well is functioning properly and that the water is healthy to drink is that of the well owner.

 

Where are we: In 2011 in Spokane County, 11% of residents received water from a private well. Statewide, 13% of residents used a private well.