Well Water Information

Wells that are properly constructed and maintained can provide many years of uninterrupted water. By following Iowa's state regulations for well construction, conducting routine maintenance, and watching out for signs of contamination, you can extend the life of your well and improve the quality of your water supply.

For any additional questions or information, please contact one of the Environmental Health Specialists at Johnson County Public Health at (319) 356-6040.

Water Well Applications & Regulations

Well Water Applications in PDF Format

Water Well Applications in PDF Format ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Private Water Well Construction Application Zoning Application Private Water Well Rehabilitation Instructions Private Water Well Rehabilitation Application Private Water Well Rehabilitation Record Well Plugging Grant Application Well Plugging Record

Johnson County Nonpublic Water Supply Regulations 2009
Iowa Regulations for Plugging Abandoned Wells
Iowa Regulations Governing the Sale & Marketing of Residential Water Treatment System
Iowa Regulations for Residential Water Treatment

General Information

Diagram of a Well (Click on the picture to see an enlarged version)

Successfully Plugging Your Abandoned Well
Abandoned Wells Pose Safety Hazards
Drinking Water From Household Wells
Good Wells for Safe Water

Water Treatment

Contamination & Treatment Options
Contamination
     Arsenic
     Bacterial Contamination  
     Giardia & Crytosporidium
     Iron Bacteria  
     Lead
     Nirate
     Pesticides
Flood Cleanup  
Emergency Disinfection
Shock Chlorinating & Disinfecting Wells
Well Maintenance & Management
Well Water & Home Treatment Systems
Source Water Protection

Financial Assistance

Grants to Counties (addresses concerns about water quality and groundwater contamination)
      Free well water analysis to rural county residents.  To request free well water analysis, contact Johnson County Public Health at (319) 356-6040. No application required.    
      Grants of up to $400 to assist with the costs of plugging abandoned wells
              Application for Well Plugging Financial Assistance
      Grants of up to $400 to assist with the costs of plugging abandoned wells
              Instruction for Well Rehabilitation
              Application for Well Rehabilitation Financial Assistance

          (Programs are subject to the availability of state grant dollars.)

Water Well Sampling

All well water should be periodically sampled. How often you test your well water varies by the age of the well, and whether you experience water discoloration, unusual smells, and/or suspect contamination. You may contact Johnson County Public Health or the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory to purchase sample bottles.

Johnson County Public Health offers free water sampling to Johnson County residents. Call to make an appointment to have an Environmental Health Specialist take the water sample for you. This program is funded by the Grants to Counties Grant and only a limited number of samples are available free of charge each year.

If you have any questions or concerns about your well please contact an Environmental Health Specialist at Johnson County Public Health at (319-356-6040).

Iowa Statewide Well Water Survey
Making Sure Your Drinking Water is Safe
State Hygienic Lab at the University of Iowa  

Water Quality & Other Related Links

Johnson County Water Quality and Conservation

American Water Works Association
EPA Consumer Confidence Reports on Drinking Water
EPA Region 7
IDPH Division of Environmental Health (IDPH)
IDNR Well Abandonment
Iowa Water Quality Bureau
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Farm*A* Syst
Iowa Rural Water Association
Iowa Department of Public Health
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
Iowa Geological Survey
Johnson County Soil & Water Conservation District - Conservation News
National Environmental Health Association
US Geological Survey of Johnson County Well Sites