The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding private well owners to take steps to protect their drinking water during Source Water Protection Week, which runs Sept. 28 through Oct. 4. The Iowa Source Water Protection Program and Iowa Source Water Agricultural Collaborative are partnering with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to raise awareness about safe drinking water and promote resources available through the state’s Private Well Grants Program. While public water systems are tested and regulated, thousands of Iowans depend on private wells, which are not routinely monitored. That means well owners are responsible for their own testing and maintenance to prevent contamination. The Private Well Grants Program offers financial assistance for water testing, well repairs or reconstruction, and the closure of unused wells, which can otherwise act as direct pathways for pollutants to enter groundwater. Links with resources about private well maintenance are included below.
______
