St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 12, 2001

CONTACTS:
Roger Dunajcik, Supervisor, Environmental Public Health : (636) 949-7406
Gil Copley, Director: (636) 949-7477

Guidance On Private Wells Available Online
Private Drinking Water Supplies Need Regular Testing

St. Charles County - The current Public Health Newsletter of the St. Charles County, Department of Community Health and the Environment asks the question, " When was the last time you had your private well-water tested? 5 years ago - 10 years ago - never?" If you own a private water supply and can't answer "within the last year" then you need to read the newsletter.

According to Roger Dunajcik, Environmental Public Health Supervisor in the County Division of Public Health, "it is estimated that there are more than 5,000 private drinking water wells in St. Charles County. Many of those wells are more than 20 years old and were built before any minimum construction standards were established by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. " Dunajcik further explains, "Whether old or new, the bacteriological and chemical quality of the water produced by private wells is not required to be routinely tested by anyone. This means it is up to the owner of the well to monitor water quality."

To view the entire newsletter and to access additional information on private well water supplies, go to the Department of Community Health and the Environment website at www.scchealth.org and click "Private Well Information" on the scrolling headline near the top of the page. For those without access to the Internet, call 636-949-7400 for a mailed or faxed copy

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