Private Well Program
What We Do
The Marion County Public Health Department regulates the construction of private wells and well pumps through state and local ordinances. Contractors must obtain permits for new well construction, pump repair or replacement — and must follow appropriate procedures to abandon wells no longer in service. We oversee the permit process, educate homeowners on private well maintenance, and conduct well water testing at no cost to well owners. Staff also conduct neighborhood surveys to assess the groundwater quality throughout the country.
Regulations
Marion County Ordinance – The Code, Chapter 18
Water Well Drilling and Ground Water – 312 IAC 12
Water Well Drillers and Water Well Pump Installers – 312 IAC 13
Request a Free Well Water Test
Questions and complaints can be directed to:
Department of Water Quality & Hazardous Materials Management
3901 Meadows Dr., 2nd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone: 317.221.2266
Permits
Well permit fee is $50. Before beginning any water well that does not serve a municipality or public utility, a licensed well driller must obtain a well permit signed by the Health Officer. In emergency situations, that well driller may drill the well prior to obtaining a well permit — in such emergency situations, prior to installation, the well driller must notify the Health Officer by telephone. Within 30 days after drilling a well, the well driller must provide the Health Officer and the owner with a copy of the well record submitted to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Pump permit fee is $50. A pump installer must obtain a pump permit signed by the Health Officer within two business days after installing any pump, uncovering a buried upper terminal to a well, or breaking the sanitary seal of a private water supply.
MCPHD staff routinely samples and tests groundwater to assess the quality of residential water. The MCPHD’s Public Health Laboratory tests for bacterial and chemical contamination — get a complete list of parameters here. Once well water analysis is complete, well operators and users are provided with information as to contaminant levels and suitability of the well water for drinking purposes. For more information or to schedule a free well sample, contact our office at: 3901 Meadows Dr., 2nd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46205 / Phone: 317.221.2266
Info Sheet on Private Well Water – List common characteristics and contaminants found in Marion County
Well Disinfection Instructions – Quick reference guide
Detailed Well Disinfection Instructions – Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) – The Environment Protection Agency’s limits for public water supplies
Arsenic in Well Water
Nitrates in Well Water
Fluoride in Well Water
Sulfur Odor in Well Water
Sulfur Odor in Hot Water
Sodium in Well Water
Lead in Your Drinking Water
PFAs EPA Webpage
Iron in Drinking Water
MCPHD also conducts groundwater assessments of neighborhoods across Marion County. Neighborhoods on wells are surveyed and private wells are sampled to determine the groundwater quality in that area. Use the interactive map below to find areas previously surveyed, or select a neighborhood to view a summary report of the assessment. For further information please contact the department at 317.221.2147.
MCPHD also conducts groundwater assessments of neighborhoods across Marion County. Neighborhoods on wells are surveyed and private wells are sampled to determine the groundwater quality in that area. To find areas previously surveyed, select a neighborhood to view a summary report of the assessment. For further information please contact the department at 317.221.2147
West 51st – 2024
Perry Manor – 2024
Millersville 2 – 2024
Orange – Minnesota – 2024
Edgewood – 2023
Millersville – 2023
Rawles-Franklin – 2023
Shetland – 2023
Indian Lake – 2022
Hollingsworth – 2022
Carson Ave – 2022
Ralston Rd – 2022
Ritter – Troy – 2022
Collier Street – 2021
Jordan Road – 2021
16th & Pleasant Run – 2021
River Park – 2021
Roland & Rommel – 2021
Lyons & Rybolt – 2019
Northgate – 2019
Chestnut Lane – 2019
Camden & US31 – 2019
Highgate Neighborhood – 2018
Keystone & Werges – 2018
62nd & Cooper – 2017
Julietta (Brookville & Senour) – 2016
New Augusta – 2016
Perry Manor – 2016
Additional Resources
DNR Well Log Database – Indiana Department of Natural Resources
DNR Well Interactive Map
Recommended Standards for Private Water Wells – Indiana State Department of Health
EPA Private Drinking Water Wells
CDC Private Well Water Page
National Groundwater Association: Indiana
Wellowner.org – well video series
EPA Tool for Point-Of-Use Lead Treatment
Understanding and Protecting Your Drinking Water – Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Water Quality Association – certified water treatment systems and professionals
Private Well Class – Free online classes on how to properly care for a water well
Our Directive
We permit the construction of private wells and provide free well water testing.