Private Wells
Many landowners and residences in Oxford have a private well from which they derive their potable water supply. Although the Board of Health has well regulations we do not require water quality and quantity testing for monitoring purposes after a well has been approved for use. Well owners are responsible for testing and monitoring their wells. The Board of Health recommends periodic testing is done on your well if there is a change in color, taste or odor.

Prior to the initial use of a new private well it requires minimum testing on certain parameters as follows:


PARAMETER
MAXIMUM CONTAMINATION LIMIT (M.C.L.)
Coliform Bacteria
0/100 ml - Present or Absent
Arsenic
0.05 mg/liter - Health Related
Lead
0.05 mg/liter- Health Related
Nitrate
10.0 mg/liter - Health Related
Nitrite
1.0 mg/liter - Health Related
Turbidity
No Limit
Chloride
250.0 mg/liter - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Color
15 color units - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Copper
1.30 mg/liter - Action Level - Aesthetic
Hardness
No Limit
Iron
0.30 mg/liter - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Manganese
0.05 mg/liter - Secondary Standard - Aesthetic
Odor
3 Threshold Odor Number - Aesthetic
pH
6.5 to 8.5 -Aesthetic
Sodium
250.0 mg/L-20 mg/liter - Mass DEP Guideline
Radon in Water
10,000 pCi/l - Mass DEP Proposed Guideline
VOC Screening
EPA Method 524.2

If you have any questions or concerns about any results in your water, you are recommended to seek out a professional water treatment specialist or a DEP certified laboratory.