Last checked: October 22, 2026

Private wells in Virginia

Virginia doesn't require a well inspection or water test when a home is sold, and its disclosure law is "buyer beware." The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) publishes specific advice for homebuyers, and Virginia Tech runs low-cost testing clinics. Here's what to know. Every fact has a source.

Virginia at a glance

• Who's on a well: USGS estimates about 1.56 million Virginians supplied their own household water in 2015, about 19% of the state's population.¹
• Home sales: VDH says no inspection or test is required by the state. Localities or lenders may require one.²
• What VDH says buyers should test: basic water quality indicators plus bacteria and radiological contaminants (uranium, gross alpha and radon).³
• Low-cost clinics: the Virginia Household Water Quality Program (VAHWQP) tests 28 parameters for $70 at clinics in about 70 counties.⁶

County pages

Nothing published here yet.

Virginia localities with the most people on household wells in USGS's 2015 estimates are Prince William (about 99,000), Bedford, Pittsylvania, Spotsylvania, Frederick and Rockingham (about 42,000–46,000 each), Franklin and Chesapeake.¹ In Pittsylvania and Franklin counties, more than 70% of residents were on household wells.¹ We're adding pages for these counties.

Buying a home with a well in Virginia

What the state requires. VDH's real estate transfer FAQ says Virginia doesn't require a well inspection or a water test when property is sold. Localities or lenders may. VDH says many lenders require testing for bacteria, nitrate and lead, and passes on EPA's caution that lender-required tests may not be a full picture of water quality.²

Disclosure. Under Virginia Code § 55.1-703, the seller gives a disclosure that the owner makes no representations about the property's condition, and the buyer is advised to do their own inspections.⁴

Contingencies. Purchase contracts in Virginia often include a well and septic inspection addendum. The Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® form, for example, calls for a certified lab coliform report dated within 90 days of settlement and sets deadlines for inspection, negotiation and voiding.⁵ Ask your agent which form applies.

Well records. VDH says private well construction records weren't required before 1990. Records from 1990 to 2003 are on paper, and newer records are in VDH's electronic system. Ask the local health department.²

See our homebuyer's guide for flow tests, septic distances and negotiating.

Contaminants to know about

VDH lists bacteria, radon, arsenic, iron, manganese and radiological contaminants among those common in Virginia wells.³

Virginia Tech's VAHWQP has tested more than 50,000 samples from Virginia households. About 40% had coliform bacteria present and 8% had E. coli present.⁷

Where to test

• Certified labs: find a lab certified by the Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program through the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services' Find a Lab search.³
• For a home sale, use a certified lab, because lenders and contracts typically require one.⁵

Free and low-cost testing

• Virginia Household Water Quality Program (Virginia Tech / Virginia Cooperative Extension): drinking water clinics in about 70 counties, $70 per kit for 28 parameters. The program says comparable commercial testing would cost more than $300. Financial help is available through SERCAP.⁶ VAHWQP is a research lab and isn't state-certified, so results may not satisfy a lender or contract.⁷
• Contact: [email protected], 540-231-9058.⁶

Well records

• Local health departments hold well construction records (see above).²
• DEQ well completion reports in myDEQ are limited to certified well providers, not the public.⁸

Who to call

• Local health districts: VDH directory.
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: local offices.

Guides for Virginia well owners

• Buying a home with a well
• Uranium and radon in well water
• Shock chlorinating a well
• How to read your well water test results