Private Potable Water

The Potable Water Program of the Environmental Health Division helps protect the water Vermilion County residents drink. Following the guidelines of the Illinois Department of Public Health Water Well Construction Code and the Illinois Department of Public Health Water Well Pump Installation Code, the Potable Water Program enforces standards for the installation of new wells, the repair of existing wells, and the sealing of abandoned wells.

The ultimate goal of the Potable Water Program is to protect the water Vermilion County residents drink from waterborne illness transmission and chemical contamination. The Vermilion County Health Department does this by issuing permits for new wells, inspecting newly constructed or repaired wells, inspecting non-community water systems, testing private well water, surveying existing wells during real estate transactions and overseeing the sealing of abandoned wells.  The Environmental Protection Agency regulates municipal water supplies.

With the introduction of Geothermal Heating and Cooling system, the Illinois Department of Public Health has added to the Well construction code sections to address the construction and abandonment of vertical closed loop wells.  Closed loop well permits must be obtained through the Vermilion County Health Department by submitting a completed permit application and paying the appropriate fee.

Water Well Testing

For a fee, the Health Department will analyze water from wells that are part of real estate transactions. Such home loan inspections are done at the request of buyers, financial institutions, or any other party involved in the transaction. Samples are tested for bacterial contaminants and nitrate content. If high nitrate content is identified, the owner is advised to provide bottled water for any child six months of age or younger. If coliform bacteria is identified, the owner is advised to disinfect the well. Once the disinfection procedures are followed, follow-up samples are taken to determine the suitability of the water for drinking.

The Vermilion County Health Department was notified by the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Laboratories that local health departments can no longer submit water samples to the lab for annual testing. A list of accredited labs can be found here: Accredited Labs.

Water samples can be submitted to the IDPH lab in the following situations:

  • Initial Testing following installation of new wells,
  • Testing in response to infant illness involving private water sources,
  • Testing in response to outbreaks involving private water sources,
  • Special sampling events only upon approval from State Environmental Health.

Water samples must be submitted to a commercial laboratory in the following situations:

  • Repeat/annual well water testing,
  • Contaminated groundwater not directly associated with human illness,
  • Request for private water testing which do not fall within the criteria of approved testing.

More information is available contact the Environmental Health Director

Resources

Forms/Application