Know Your Well

Know Your Well

Call the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality at 307-777-WELL (9355)

Every March 13th is “Know Your Well Day”, but any day is a good day to learn more about your water well and drinking water supply.

If you live in a rural area, it is likely that your daily water supply comes from a well on your property. More than 75 percent of Wyoming’s population relies on groundwater for part, or all, of their drinking water supply. This water comes from more than 90,000 wells.

Your Well and Water, and Your Responsibility
You are solely responsible for the maintenance of your private water well, and are required to maintain it in such a condition that it does not contribute to contamination of groundwater. The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office regulates permitting and construction requirements for water wells. Properly maintained wells help to protect the groundwater that supplies your well. It’s a good idea to regularly inspect your well, and immediately correct any issues that you see.

Federal, state, and local government agencies provide education and technical assistance to private well owners through programs such as Know Your Well; however, private well owners are ultimately responsible for maintaining their wells and having their water tested. This means that the water quality of private water wells is not checked unless you take action to have your water sampled and tested. Knowing your water quality is the first step in protecting your family. Having your water tested regularly gives you an idea if there are issues with your well that may need to be addressed.