Preventing contamination is one of the best ways to ensure well water is safe to drink. This is primarily accomplished during the initial drilling phase of a water well. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, proper sealing and grouting maintains safe drinking conditions.
The Environmental Protection Agency establishes the safety standard for well water in the U.S. These EPA standards focus on pH levels, bacteria and nitrates in public drinking water. By testing well water annually against these standards, well owners can establish the quality of their potable water source.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care recommends controlling sediments in the water stream by utilizing a stainless steel well screen. These screens prevent most wells from drawing contaminants and performing poorly over time. Well water is not safe to drink without a individually-sized well screen.