According to Census data, more than 15 million American homes get their drinking water from private wells. Unlike with public water systems, with private drinking water wells, it is the responsibility of the well owner to ensure the cleanliness and safety of the drinking water.
To that end, the United States Environmental Protection Agency offers a page on their website that breaks down some common private well contaminants and their potential health impact. The page also includes a quick reference table well owners can use to identify potential concerns based on activity type (commercial, agriculture, residential, etc.).
