Environmental Health's Potable Water program helps protect the water Vermilion County residents drink, by enforcing standards for private wells, the drilling of new wells, the repair of existing wells, and sealing abandoned wells. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates municipal water supplies.

During 2004, EH accepted 600 private water samples for testing, conducted 721 well inspections, issued 89 well construction permits, and certified 42 abandoned wells as sealed. For a fee, EH will analyze water from wells that are part of real estate transaction. 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. Sanitarians provide owners with information on how to properly shock chlorinate (disinfect) wells, if choliform bacteria is identified. Once procedures are followed, follow up samples are taken to determine the well's safety. Download Guidelines for Food Service Establishments Under a Boil Orders or Guidelines for Food Establishments Experiencing An Interuption of a Municipal Water Supply.

More information is available at 217-431-2662, or contact the EnvironmentalHealth Director, Douglas Toole, dtoole@vchd.org

last updated 7/14/2010