Wildfire-Impacted Domestic Well Testing

Domestic Well Testing after Wildfires

If you sustained losses or damage due to wildfires, consider having your well water tested. We recommend testing for Arsenic, Nitrate, Bacteria, Lead, and, depending on damage assessment results, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX).

Well Testing Assistance Voucher Project: If you sustained losses or damage due to wildfires in 2020 (those wildfires beginning September 7), you may be eligible for free/subsidized private well testing. Oregon Health Authority will provide vouchers for private or "domestic" water testing to fire-impacted well owners. Vouchers will cover testing for Arsenic, Nitrate, Bacteria, Lead and, depending on damage assessment results, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX).

Even if the fire did not directly damage your well, or if you have repaired damage to your well, testing is an important step in recovering your property.

Before testing, follow these steps to recover your well after the wildfire

Assess

Begin by completing the well damage assessment to identify damage level and next steps.

Well Damage Assessment

Cómo evaluar los daños
en los pozos privados

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Protect

Follow recommendations in the well damage assessment. Make sure you know what work you are authorized to do and what is required to be done by a licensed professional. Actions may include:

Repair and replace damaged well components
Re-pressurize and refill the well
Flush the water lines
Treat the well for microbial contaminants
Test (Apply for a free testing voucher)

Test

After you have assessed the damage to your well and taken the needed actions, it's time to test the water.

Contact an accredited laboratory to coordinate sample collection and analysis.

Find an Accredited Laboratory

Well Testing Assistance Voucher Project: Applications for free well test vouchers are open now through May 15, 2023, as supplies last. To ensure that all 2020 wildfire-impacted domestic well users can receive free testing, we can offer one voucher per impacted well. Free testing vouchers for additional tests are unavailable at this time.

Vouchers expire on June 7th, 2023.

Free Well Testing
Voucher Application

Para ver la aplicación en español, abra el enlace de la aplicación y seleccione "Español" en el lista desplegable.

Solicitud de vale para
prueba de pozo
doméstico (privado)

Printable application (English)

Aplicación imprimible (Español)

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Voucher Eligibility and Priority

Eligibility

All of the following criteria must be met:

The property was impacted by the 2020 Oregon wildfires
The well water is used for things like drinking, bathing cooking and washing dishes
The well has three or fewer connections and is not part of a regulated water system

You will not be asked to share your US citizenship status in this application and your status does not affect eligibility to receive a voucher. 

Priority

If demand for well testing vouchers exceeds supply, OHA will prioritize vouchers for:

Households that meet certain income thresholds, and
Communities that have been historically underserved including people of color
Properties that had the greatest damage
Second homes and vacation rental homes will not be prioritized

Additional Resources

Education

Read OWRD's handout on Maintaining Your Well After the Wildfire
Visit CDC's website for Private Wells After a Wildfire
Learn about recovering your property after the wildfire on the DEQ Wildfire Response webpage

Visit the Well User Resource Toolkit to learn more about the health effects of contaminants
Learn about Disaster Assistance through the Office of Emergency Management
Learn about additional community resources on the State of Oregon’s Oregon Wildfire Recovery webpage
State of Oregon's Drinking Water Supply Resources