Can Delaware Residents Get Free PFAS Testing for Their Well Water in 2025?

Yes, Delaware has expanded a free testing program for private well owners that screens for PFAS ("forever chemicals") and other contaminants, according to WaterWorld. If you rely on a private well for drinking water, this program could help you find out what's actually coming out of your tap, at no cost to you.

While water testing looks at what's in your pipes, PFAS also show up in everyday products. PFAS Authority's own scoring of 10,673 products found that 48% fail its PFAS and toxin screen, a reminder that forever chemicals are a household-wide issue, not just a water-supply one. Our scores come from published ingredients, materials, certifications, and manufacturer disclosures rather than laboratory testing of each item.

What Happened With Delaware's Well Testing Program?

According to WaterWorld, Delaware is expanding free testing for private well water to help residents confirm whether their drinking water is safe from PFAS and other contaminants. The state's effort comes amid growing national attention to PFAS contamination of groundwater, which is the source for most private wells. Unlike public water systems, which are regularly monitored under federal and state rules, private wells are typically the sole responsibility of the homeowner, meaning contamination can go undetected for years unless residents actively test their water.

Delaware's program aims to close that gap by removing the cost barrier, a common reason many well owners never test at all. Details on how to sign up, which contaminants are included, and testing timelines are being handled directly through the state's environmental agency, per WaterWorld's reporting.

Who Is Affected by This Expansion?

This news is most relevant to.

• Homeowners in Delaware who use a private well as their primary drinking water source
• Rural and suburban residents outside municipal water service areas
• Families with young children, pregnant women, or older adults in the household, who may be more sensitive to potential exposure
• Well owners near known or suspected PFAS sources, such as military bases, airports, landfills, or industrial sites, where groundwater contamination has historically been more common

If you own a private well anywhere, not just in Delaware, this news is a useful nudge to check whether your own state or county offers similar free or low-cost testing programs.

Why Does PFAS in Well Water Matter?

PFAS are a large family of manmade chemicals used for decades in nonstick, waterproof, and stain-resistant products. They don't break down easily in the environment, which is why they're often called "forever chemicals." Once they enter groundwater, they can persist for years and travel into nearby wells.

Research has linked exposure to certain PFAS with a range of health concerns, including changes in cholesterol levels, immune response, and other outcomes, according to federal health agencies. It's important to note these are associations observed in studies, not proof that PFAS exposure directly causes any specific illness in an individual. Still, because PFAS accumulate in the body over time, reducing ongoing exposure, including through drinking water, is a reasonable precaution that public health agencies generally recommend.

This is also why testing matters, unlike a lot of contamination, PFAS in water has no taste, smell, or color. The only way to know if your well is affected is to test it.

What Should Well Owners Do Now?

1. Check eligibility. Contact Delaware's environmental or health department to confirm if your address qualifies for free testing under this expanded program.
2. Get your water tested. Even outside Delaware, many state health departments, university extension offices, or local health departments offer PFAS testing programs or can direct you to certified labs.
3. Consider a certified lab test if you're not covered. If a free program isn't available in your area, a private lab test for PFAS typically costs more, but it's the only reliable way to know your levels.
4. Look into filtration if levels are elevated. Options like activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems are commonly used to reduce PFAS in drinking water, though effectiveness varies by system and should be verified through testing.
5. Reduce PFAS exposure elsewhere in your home. Cookware, rain gear, and other treated products can also contain PFAS. You can check specific products using PFAS Authority's product finder to see how items are scored.

To understand exactly how PFAS Authority evaluates products, including why we rely on disclosed ingredients and certifications rather than in-house lab testing, see our methodology.

Bottom Line

Delaware's expanded free testing program gives private well owners a straightforward, no-cost way to find out whether PFAS or other contaminants are present in their drinking water. Because private wells aren't routinely monitored like public systems, testing is the only way to know for sure. If you're outside Delaware, it's worth checking whether your state offers a similar program, and pairing that knowledge with smart choices about the PFAS-containing products already in your home.

FAQ

1. Is my well water automatically tested if I live in Delaware?

No. According to WaterWorld, the program provides free testing, but residents still need to sign up or request it through the state's environmental agency. Private wells are not automatically monitored the way public water systems are.

2. Does a "low" PFAS test result mean my water is completely safe?

Not necessarily. Testing can show whether PFAS levels are below current detection or guidance thresholds, which suggests lower concern, but no result should be interpreted as an absolute guarantee, since science and regulatory limits continue to evolve.

3. What if I don't live in Delaware, can I still get free PFAS testing?

Possibly. Many states and counties have their own well-testing assistance programs, especially in areas with known groundwater contamination. Contact your local health department to ask what's available, and consider checking product-level PFAS exposure using tools like PFAS Authority's finder in the meantime.