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Water and health are prized environmental and personal resources. That is why the water we drink from public systems, as well as wastewater from treatment plants, are regulated, tested, and monitored regularly by governmental agencies. However, private wells and septic systems are mostly the responsibility of homeowners.
A Few Regulations on Private Wells and Septic Systems:
Private Wells: A 1999 New York State law requires well drillers to register annually with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) before doing business anywhere in the State. Whenever a well is drilled, the driller is required to complete a well report. The well report is filed with DEC and a copy is given to the owner of the well. (See http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/driller_ext.html for more information.)
Banks and loan institutions require proof (certified laboratory results) of a bacteria free water supply before they will issue a mortgage.
Septic Systems: All new septic systems must be designed by a NYS licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, and conform to the Department of Health (DOH) standards.
In the Boquet River watershed, on-site sewage drainage fields or seepage pits must be at least 100 feet from the mean high water of any river, stream, lake or pond.
Replacement or repairs to existing systems do not require a design professional, but should conform "as best as possible" to DOH standards. Contact your town Code Enforcement Officer to get the DOH standards and/or assistance if needed.
| Town | Code Enforcement Officer | Phone |
| Elizabethtown | George Cahill | 873-6555 |
| Essex | David Lansing | 963-7072 |
| Lewis | George Cahill | 963-7936 |
| Westport | George Hainer | 962-4419 |
| Willsboro | James Kinley | 963-7411 |
Bacteria Contamination of Wells:
The most common serious water quality problem in rural water supplies is bacterial contamination by fecal coliforms/E. coli from septic tank effluent according to a nationwide survey by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Cornell University. If a barnyard or septic system is up-slope from a well, wastes can infiltrate to the aquifer and reach the well. Frequent pumping could also cause migration of contaminants to the well.
Liquid effluent from a septic system percolates into the soil just like rain or snow melt. Once it reaches the water table, it flows down the hydraulic gradient (similar to land and property slopes) to lower points. Septic tank effluent entering an aquifer that supplies a well, especially a shallow water-table aquifer or a shallow well, can introduce bacteria as well as any other contaminant that might have been put down toilets or drains.
If a house water system and well have been chlorinated, i.e. "shocked" to kill bacteria, and the well water continues to have repeated bacteria counts, then the problem is probably the aquifer and water source or surface water contaminating the well. If the latter, sealing the well to prevent the ingress of surface water may solve the problem; if the latter, there are only a few solutions: 1) add a disinfection system to treat all water pumped from the well, 2) drill a new well uphill, or 3) tap a deeper aquifer.
What Immediate Steps Should Be Taken if your Total Coliform/e.coli Bacteria Test Fails:
Test the well water again. Pay scrupulous attention to directions for collecting the sample in order to make sure the bacteria is actually in the water, and not because contaminated hands or pets have touched faucets or sample container.
If the test fails a second time, it is probably time to inspect your property. Is your septic system working properly? How far is it away from your well? Are there any leaking well caps or seals that could allow insects into your well? Look at the contour of the land and at the proximity of neighbors' upland septic systems. (A useful website providing information on ground water, well maintenance and protection, and how bacteria may enter a water system is htpp://www.wellowner.org.) If you or family members are experiencing gastronomical problems, definitely use bottled water for drinking and food preparation, and boil or chlorinate water used for dishes. You can also ask your town health officer (below) or code officer (listed above) for assistance.
| Town | Health Officer | Phone |
| Elizabethtown | Dr. Charles Moisan, Jr. | 873-6370 |
| Essex | Smith House | 963-4275 |
| Lewis | Dr. Charles Moisan, Jr. | 873-6370 |
| Westport | Town Board | 962-4419 |
| Willsboro | Smith House | 963-4275 |
If you have exhausted local assistance and the problem persists, you should call the regional NYS Department of Health office in Saranac Lake at (518) 891-1800.
Another informative web site about groundwater and wells, is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's http://www.epa.gov/safewater site, that will also tell you how to care for your well after a flood.
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