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Many homes in rural areas are not connected to a municipal water system, but instead have a private well for their daily water supply. When installing, repairing or replacing a well, the owners will need to hire a Licensed Well-Pump Contractor for existing wells and a Licensed Well-Driller for a new or replaced well.
Typically, the contractor will complete the Water Well Permit Application, with your assistance, and submit the permit application to the Hancock County Health Department for you.
Once the application is submitted, the health department will review the plans and work with the contractor to reach an approval within 7 – 10 business days.
Water Testing:
The Illinois Department of Public Health suggests that well-water used for drinking be tested on a yearly basis. Other reasons for having your well water tested could include having someone in the home that is pregnant or immunocompromised.
Bacteria in Water:
Bacteria and parasites that cause illness can enter a well in many ways. Whether the contamination comes from the materials and tools used in the well’s construction, from septic failures near the well or from feedlot runoff, the bacteria and parasites must be destroyed to ensure safe water.
Every new, modified or reconstructed water well including pumps and all pumping equipment should be disinfected before being used and again each time it is opened for maintenance or repair. The well and pump contractor is responsible for disinfecting the well after construction and pump installation is completed. Water from a system that has been completely disinfected should be free of potentially harmful bacteria.
Nitrates:
A new water supply should be tested for nitrates. Levels above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/l) as nitrogen may cause illness in infants 6 months of age or younger. Nitrates found in groundwater are usually produced by agricultural fertilizers, livestock wastes or septic systems.
Available Testing Kits:
Well water test kits are available from the health department test for coliform and E. coli bacteria and Nitrates. Test kits may be purchased in our office for $35. Test results are usually received by our office in 7 to 10 days, after which we will inform the homeowner of the results through the mail.
For more information contact 217-357-2171 option 4
Typically, the contractor will complete the Water Well Permit Application, with your assistance, and submit the permit application to the Hancock County Health Department for you.
Once the application is submitted, the health department will review the plans and work with the contractor to reach an approval within 7 – 10 business days.
Water Testing:
The Illinois Department of Public Health suggests that well-water used for drinking be tested on a yearly basis. Other reasons for having your well water tested could include having someone in the home that is pregnant or immunocompromised.
Bacteria in Water:
Bacteria and parasites that cause illness can enter a well in many ways. Whether the contamination comes from the materials and tools used in the well’s construction, from septic failures near the well or from feedlot runoff, the bacteria and parasites must be destroyed to ensure safe water.
Every new, modified or reconstructed water well including pumps and all pumping equipment should be disinfected before being used and again each time it is opened for maintenance or repair. The well and pump contractor is responsible for disinfecting the well after construction and pump installation is completed. Water from a system that has been completely disinfected should be free of potentially harmful bacteria.
Nitrates:
A new water supply should be tested for nitrates. Levels above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/l) as nitrogen may cause illness in infants 6 months of age or younger. Nitrates found in groundwater are usually produced by agricultural fertilizers, livestock wastes or septic systems.
Available Testing Kits:
Well water test kits are available from the health department test for coliform and E. coli bacteria and Nitrates. Test kits may be purchased in our office for $35. Test results are usually received by our office in 7 to 10 days, after which we will inform the homeowner of the results through the mail.
For more information contact 217-357-2171 option 4
| Private Well Water Nitrate Screening Form |
| Well Disinfection |
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this
institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity
and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille,
large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency
that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY)
or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint
Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-ComplaintForm-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA.
The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature
and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1. mail: U.S.
Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C.
20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: [email protected].
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Updated 5/5/2022
institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity
and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille,
large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency
that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY)
or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint
Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-ComplaintForm-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA.
The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature
and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1. mail: U.S.
Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C.
20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: [email protected].
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Updated 5/5/2022