Private Domestic Wells: Determining the Density by Census Block and Understanding Potential Sources of Contamination – Recorded Live on March 9, 2022

The U.S. EPA has developed the data and a new tool to determine the density of private domestic wells (PDWs) by census block - Private Domestic Well Map. This provides the most comprehensive understanding and highest spatial resolution of PDWs through using publicly available state well drill logs and the latest census data on housing units. This data is vital to those concerned with the water quality and quantity of private domestic wells. This data shows there has been growth in the reliance on PDWs in the US with 17 per cent of the population, or 23 million housing units, reliant on PDWs. The presentation will:

  • address the density of PDWs,
  • provide a brief demonstration of the tool,
  • provide a better understanding of potential sources of contamination to the PDWs, and
  • address the implications of climate change impacts, particularly flooding.

PrivateWellClass.org is a service of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Funding has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. Click here to sign up for our free well care e-course.


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The Private Well Class is a collaboration between the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the University of Illinois, through the Illinois State Water Survey and the Illinois Water Resources Center, and funded by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.