Free Private Well Water Testing in Delaware: Request Your DNREC and DHSS Test Today

If your home uses a private well, your tap water is your responsibility. That doesn’t mean you’re on your own, though. Delaware residents can now request free private well water testing through a program offered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, known as DNREC, and the Department of Health and Social Services, or DHSS.

The testing is free for PFAS and other contaminants, which makes this a smart opportunity for any homeowner who relies on well water for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, pets, or making baby formula.

Private well water can look clean and still need testing.

Why well water testing matters

Private wells aren’t treated and monitored the same way public water systems are. Your water may look clear, smell fine, and taste normal, but that doesn’t always tell the full story.

Testing can help identify contaminants that may affect health or household use. PFAS, sometimes called “forever chemicals,” are one concern because they can persist in the environment. Other contaminants can also end up in groundwater from natural sources, nearby land use, aging well parts, or local environmental conditions.

Knowing what’s in your water helps you make better choices. That might mean using a certified filter, maintaining your well, retesting later, or getting professional guidance if results show a concern.

A proper sample helps testing labs check well water quality.

How Delaware residents can request testing

The process starts with a request. Residents need to submit a request and consent form so DNREC and DHSS have permission to test the private well water.

In general, here’s what to expect:

• Submit the request and consent form required for the program.

• Provide basic information about the property and private well.

• Follow any instructions given for scheduling or sample collection.

• Review the results when they’re available.

• Take recommended next steps if contaminants are found.

  
  

Because program details can change, use the official DNREC or DHSS information when filling out forms or checking eligibility.

Many Delaware homes depend on private wells every day.

This is a good time to act.

Free testing removes one of the biggest barriers for homeowners: cost. If you’ve been putting off testing because it seemed confusing, expensive, or easy to forget, this program makes it much easier to get answers.

It’s especially worth considering if:

• You’ve never tested your well.

• Your household drinks the water daily.

• Young children, pregnant people, older adults, or people with health concerns live in the home.

• Nearby land use has changed.

• Your well is older or hasn’t been serviced in a while.

  
  

The request and consent form is the first step toward getting tested.

Take the free test and get peace of mind.

Clean water matters every single day. If your Delaware home uses a private well, take advantage of the DNREC and DHSS free testing program for PFAS and other contaminants.

Submit the request and consent form, follow the instructions, and use the results to protect your household’s health and safety. This post is informational only, so follow official agency guidance for testing, results, and next steps.