Delaware Launched Free Private Well PFAS Testing

State agencies have introduced a new program providing complimentary water testing and filtration funding for well owners.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Utilities

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a steel well casing in a meadow, representing water safety and environmental policy. — Delaware has introduced a state-funded program providing free PFAS testing and filtration support for private well owners across the state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should state governments provide free environmental testing and filtration for private home wells?

Delaware has launched a free testing program for private well owners to identify 40 types of PFAS chemicals and other contaminants in their drinking water. The initiative, funded by federal grants and settlements, also provides potential financial support for filtration systems.

Why it matters

Private wells fall outside the scope of state and federal PFAS regulations, leaving many residents without mandatory water quality oversight. This program addresses that gap by providing resources for testing and treatment that were previously unavailable to these homeowners.

The initiative offers testing for 40 distinct PFAS chemical types to the estimated 20% of Delaware residents who utilize private wells for their drinking water.

The players

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

This state agency oversees environmental protection and is a primary administrator of the new private well PFAS initiative.

Department of Health and Social Services

This department co-leads the water testing program to ensure safe drinking water standards for the Delaware public.

DuPont

This chemical corporation is one of the firms involved in the PFAS settlement providing funding for the state program.

Chemours

This chemical company contributed to the PFAS settlement funds now being utilized for Delaware's water safety program.

Corteva

This company is a party to the PFAS settlement providing the financial resources for this environmental initiative.

The details

The program is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control alongside the Department of Health and Social Services. Financing for the testing and filtration subsidies comes from a combination of federal grants and settlement funds secured from DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva.

2029 is the deadline by which public water providers must treat PFAS levels to near zero.

Market Landscape

The program expands state oversight to address a significant gap in chemical regulation that exists between public water providers and private well users. By leveraging settlement funds from major chemical firms, Delaware is aligning private well safety standards with the 2029 PFAS treatment mandate for public water providers.

Delaware residents who rely on private wells can now apply for free testing to identify potentially harmful chemicals in their drinking water. Qualifying households may also receive financial assistance to install necessary filtration systems, lowering the barrier to clean water access.

The takeaway

Private well owners should prioritize testing their water, as these sources are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as municipal water supplies. Proactively checking for contaminants allows residents to take advantage of available state funding before potential health risks persist.