Well Water Quality

To determine the water quality of your well, first obtain all available water quality information from the previous owner, neighbors, and local water utilities, then consider further testing. Several agencies collect well water information in Arizona, including the Arizona Department of Water Resources, the U.S. Geologic Survey, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (see website links in Appendix). However, a user-friendly website is now available in Arizona that combines several databases on well water information. The ARIZONAWELLS web tool, created by the Sustainability of Semi-arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas (SAHRA) of the University of Arizona provides this well water information search tool free to the public (www.sahra.arizona.edu/wells). The web site provides information on well locations and in some instances the depth to water. Water quality information is not included, however you will be able to locate neighboring wells and this may be of assistance in your search for information.

If your water source is cloudy, smelly, or has an unacceptable taste, it likely does not conform to NSDWS. Consider testing for all NSDW parameters and review Water Problems: Symptoms, Tests, and Possible Sources (Appendix A) to determine water problems and possible sources of contamination. Finally, contact the ADEQ for information on possible or known sources of ground water contamination in your area.