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1. Are these inspections required before I can get my Certificate of Occupancy (CO)?

Yes, for newly constructed wells all inspections must be completed before a CO is issued. The water samples may be taken up to one year after the well permit has been issued. It is the responsibility of the well owner to call in and request the water samples.

2. Can I get my water tested for free and If not why?

Yadkin County’s operating budget does not provide for free water testing. The costs associated with sample analysis, such as labor, equipment, and supplies must be reimbursed through fees.

3. Do I need a permit to drill a new well or to repair or abandon an existing well?

Yes, before beginning construction, repair, or abandonment of a well a permit is required from Yadkin County. Permit applications are available at the permitting office. The fee for new well construction is $400. The permit is free for well repair or abandonment.

• Central Permitting

  Central Permitting
  213 E Elm St.
  Yadkin County, NC 27055
  Ph:(336) 679-4233

4. How do I test for red muddy water or reddish staining?

In most cases red material tests as iron, not mud. Iron can cause staining of fixtures. If the water is reddish we recommend an iron / sediment test. In many cases, the reddish color is due to a condition referred to as biofouling, where bacteria in the well feed off of nutrients in the well and over time produce the reddish water. This is usually addressed by cleaning the well, lining the well casing and placing the well pump at an optimum location in the well. Other culprits of red water are iron bacteria. There is a standard test to determine the presence of iron bacteria.

5. How often should I have my well tested?

We recommend that you have your well water tested whenever you notice a sudden change in the taste, smell or appearance of your water. It is always wise to test a well before occupying an existing home. It is a common recommendation to sample a well annually for coliform bacteria.

6. My well water has a bad smell like sulfur, what tests should be run and what can be done to fix this?

These smells are typically caused by sulfur bacteria or sulfate-reducing bacteria. While not harmful, these bacteria can be quite a nuisance. There are tests to determine if this type of bacteria is present. A standard recommendation to remove these bacteria is to thoroughly treat the well and the entire water system with chlorine.

7. What determines whether I can keep an existing well or have to abandon it?

If a well is determined to be a source or channel of contamination, or is located too close to a source of contamination, such as a septic system, the well must be properly abandoned (filled in).

8. What do I need to do to maintain and protect my well?

Make sure that the well is protected from freezing. Also, do not use or store pesticides, gasoline and other contaminants near your well. More information can be found here at Well Owner.org

9. What do I do if coliform bacteria are found in my well water?

It is recommended that the well be disinfected through a chlorination process and then retest upon having all of the chlorine flushed from the well and water system. It is recommended to not use the water for drinking or cooking until acceptable sample results are achieved.

10. What do I do if bacteria are found on a follow up sample after the well has been chlorinated?

If a retest determines that coliform bacteria are present, then the recommendation is to attempt the chlorination process again and retest. If, after three chlorination procedures the well continues to test positive, then other options are to inspect the well with a camera to determine if the well has construction deficiencies. Another option is to install online treatment devices such as ultraviolet lights to disinfect the water.

11. What if I am concerned about pesticides, petroleum, or radon?

Yadkin County can assist you in testing for pesticides, herbicides, petroleum products and radionuclides. Please contact one of our Environmental Health Specialists for more information at (336) 679-4244.

12. What inspections, if any, are required for my well?

When a new well is constructed, site visits are made to complete the following inspections:

• Site the well location and issuance of a well construction authorization permit
• Inspecting the casing grout and well location during the well construction
• Inspecting the well head after the pump is installed
• Collecting water samples (must be requested by the well owner)

13. What may cause green or bluish-green stains on fixtures?

The pH of well water in Wake County is generally less than 6.5 and therefore acidic. Acidic water reacts with copper pipes and copper in fixtures resulting in the blue-green stains. A common remedy is to install an acid neutralizer water treatment system. Another option is to replace copper pipes with plastic pipes.

14. What should I have my water tested for?

Any sample analysis should be based on problems you are encountering or your concerns. Please contact one of our Environmental Health Specialists for guidance at (336) 679-4244.

15. What types of payments are accepted by Yadkin County?

Payment for water analysis can be made by check or exact change or credit cards.

16. Where and how can I have my well water tested?

Yadkin Environmental Health Performs the following testing:

• Bacterial $60
• Organic (VOCs, Petroleum Products, etc.) $60
• Inorganic (Heavy Metals, PH, Hardness, etc.) $60
• Sulphur $60
• Nitrite / Nitrate $60

To request water samples, please go to the Yadkin County Central Permitting Office at 213 East Elm Street in Yadkinville or call (336) 679-4233. All samples must be collected by one of our staff to ensure integrity of the sample.