February 21, 2025
Environmental Health Contacts:
Brian Stanley, Cumberland Plateau Health District, 276-415-3370
Brad Stallard, LENOWISCO Health District, 276-328-1933
Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood
Any Wells Submerged Due to Flooding are at Risk
WISE, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is offering free test kits for individuals who have residential private drinking water wells impacted by the recent flooding in Southwest Virginia. Any well submerged during the recent flooding event is likely to be contaminated, even if there is no apparent damage.
The free private well test kits are available to residents in the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. To qualify for testing, the well must first be disinfected and flushed. VDH recommends having a well driller assist with this process. For those choosing to disinfect the well themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using these instructions.
Once well users disinfect and flush their well, a free test kit can be requested by calling one of the following health departments:
- Buchanan County Health Department – 276-935-4591
- Dickenson County Health Department – 276-926-4979
- Lee County Health Department – 276-346-2011
- Russell County Health Department – 276-889-7621
- Scott County Health Department – 276-386-1312
- Tazewell County Health Department – 276-988-5585
- Wise County Health Department – 276-328-8000
Well water impacted by flooding can have germs that lead to gastrointestinal illness. The kits will include the tools necessary to collect samples for testing for total coliform and E. coli. Test results will only indicate if the well is contaminated.
Tests must be returned Monday through Thursday to the nearest local health department location within the Cumberland Plateau or LENOWISCO health districts. Samples should be delivered to one of the available locations by 4 p.m. on the same day the sample is taken.
For those who have tested their well and need assistance in understanding the test results, visit Well Informed Virginia. For more information about specific concerns regarding private wells contact your local health department or a licensed well driller.