New information on the location of private wells is helping United States Geological Survey (USGS) scientists inform the public on the importance of water quality testing in areas where potentially corrosive groundwater exists to ensure safe drinking water.
Recently released maps estimate the number of people using private wells in a given area. In regions where scientists have previously identified the likelihood of naturally corrosive groundwater — the Pacific Northwest, along the East Coast and in the southern United States — drinking water from private wells can become contaminated if corrosive groundwater reacts with pipes or fixtures that contain lead or copper.