Regulatory & Health Department Guidance
This section contains links to information relevant to Water Quality. Provided by various State-run Health Departments, the data is useful for those interested in water quality and how it is assessed.
- Connecticut State Department of Health
The first bulleted link contains information about Connecticut’s specific rules relevant to semipublic or private water wells. The second link has data about PFAS chemicals, which can migrate through soil and affect groundwater. NY Counties – Drinking Water Testing Requirements
These links contain locally relevant information about water testing in several counties in NY. Please contact the NY DPH for more information.
● Rockland County — Chapter 389 of Rockland County laws, governing private well testing
● Dutchess County — Well Information governing private well testing, well contamination/disinfection, and emergency water treatment
● Putnam County — Environmental Education Lesson Plans and Activity Sheets
● Westchester County — A summary of local Private Water Testing laws
CT Counties/Towns – Drinking Water Testing Requirements
These links contain relevant information about water testing in Connecticut. Please contact the CT DPH for more information.● Testing Recommendations for Private and Semipublic Wells in CT. Keeping drinking water safe for everyone is important. Therefore, regular testing of wells is crucial to maintaining public health.
● CT Local Health — An index of CT’s local health departments in all counties. It is important to consult your local health department for information pertinent to your geographic area.Contact the CT DPH or your local health department for more information.
Westchester County New York – Table 1, Appendix A – Recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The links below are for the EPA primary and secondary drinking water standards that are followed by state departments of health and other agencies regulating and managing drinking water resources.National Secondary Drinking Water Standards
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/drinking-water-regulations-and-contaminants#List
Connecticut Department of Public Health – Action Levels for Drinking Water
NY Health Department of Health Information
Provided by Health Department officials in New York State, this information is meant to guide owners of private wells, as well as those interested in water quality issues.○ A collection of information and research about water in New York State. Search recent testing data stored in government records, and read about the water systems in NY. Also contains research on lead in water, private well testing methodologies, and information about how these tests should be conducted.
● Test Your Well: Protect Your Family’s Water
○ NY State health department research regarding private wells. Includes data on suggested testing intervals and contaminants. Also on how to inspect and maintain your wells and water systems.
● Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment
○ Information on public water and private well systems. Although aimed at residents of Dutchess County, this information is relevant for anyone in NY.
○ Information about new Guidance Values meant to advance NYS’s regulation of newer harmful contaminants.
NY State Department of Health – Recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
This summary table shows MCLs for basic water quality parameters and associated information.NY State Department of Health – Part 5, Sub-part 5.1 summary tables.
NY State Department of Health – Emerging Contaminants.
EPA: US Department of Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States is another great resource for information about water quality. Two of many useful links are listed here.
EPA Private Drinking Water Wells facts and tips:
https://www.epa.gov/privatewells
EPA Water Topics Resources page:
https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/water-topics
