Sources & References
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
We build on primary public sources. Individual articles cite the specific pages used; the organizations below are our main references.
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — drinking water regulations and private well guidance.
- US Geological Survey (USGS) — groundwater science and water hardness classification.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — private well health and testing guidance.
- State departments of health and environment — state-specific rules and recommendations.
- State geological surveys and Cooperative Extension Services — regional hydrogeology and homeowner guidance.
Links to external sources open in a new tab and are provided for reference; we are not responsible for their content and they may change over time.