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1. What methods of water well construction are used in Lake County?

The two major drilling methods used to construct water wells in Lake County are the rotary and the cable tool method.

2. What is the main difference between the two methods?

Access our resources on water well construction methods for details.

3. What should I do after I have hired a water well contractor?

Consult with your water well contractor to determine the most suitable location for your well. The well should be located as far as possible from any sources of contamination. Determine a suitable location for your well.

4. I am having difficulty installing my water well at the minimal distance from sources of contamination. What should I do?

The Lake County Health Department understands that sometimes due to the size of the property, the minimal distances to a source of contamination cannot be maintained. In those cases, the department's water well ordinance does provide an option to alter those distances. See details regarding variances.

5. What should I do if the Water Well Program Coordinator rejects my variance request?

If your variance request has been rejected, then you may make a written request for a hearing with the Board of Health Hearings Committee. The Hearings Committee, under Lake County Code, Chapter 176, will consider hardship and will either approve or reject the application based on all information and recommendations provided. If the Hearings Committee denies your request, you may appeal their decision to the Board of Health.

6. What should I do after the water well has been installed?

Once you have installed your water well, you need to have the well inspected and a satisfactory water sample needs to be obtained before final approval is given. Learn more about this inspection.

7. What should I do if my water analysis comes back unsatisfactory?

The most important thing to remember when one receives an unsatisfactory water sample is to not drink the water because there could be harmful bacteria present in the water supply. Depending on the results of the water analysis the following actions should occur.

8. Do I need a treatment system for my water supply?

There are different treatment systems that are available for your water supply. For example, water softener is for hardness removal, charcoal filtration is for taste/odor control, and reverse osmosis is used to remove contaminants; arsenic, beryllium, fluoride, radium/uranium, sodium/chloride, pesticides, herbicides and some metals. To determine if you need a water treatment device, the Lake County Health Department recommends that you either contact a reputable water treatment company or a licensed water well driller who also sells and services water treatment equipment.

9. I have an existing water well and just installed a new well or connected to a public water supply. What should I do with the existing water well?

If the old water well is not used, it is considered abandoned and must be sealed since it provides a pathway for pollutants to enter the ground water. The Lake County Code, Chapter 170 and the Illinois Water Well Construction Code both indicate that an abandoned well must be sealed within 30 days after its use is terminated. Have the water well driller contact the Lake County Health Department a minimum of 24 hours prior to the sealing of the old water well. A representative from the department will verify the sealing of the water well. The old well should be sealed within 30 days of approval of the new well.

If public water supply is made available to a dwelling with a well, a well contractor should apply and pay for a Lake County Health Department water well sealing application. The Lake County Health Department should be contacted a minimum of 24 hours prior to the sealing of the water well. A representative from the department will verify the sealing of the water well. The old well should be sealed within 30 days of the dwelling being connected to the municipal supply.

If one desires to maintain and use their well as a non-potable water supply for outdoor watering, you must contact the Lake County Health Department to schedule an inspection to determine if your well is in compliance. Once the well has been determined to be in compliance the well will be required to be registered as a “Supplemental Irrigation Well” at the Lake County Recorder of Deed’s Office for a fee.

10. Can water wells be shared by two or more houses?

Lake County Ordinances do allow sharing wells in certain circumstances. Please contact us for further information at 847-377-8020.

11. How often should I have my water well tested?

The Lake County Health Department recommends all water wells be sampled at least once a year for coliform bacteria and nitrate/nitrite.

If you have additional concerns or questions, please contact us at 847-377-8020. Our staff will gladly help you obtain a water supply that meets the Illinois Department of Public Health standards for drinking water.

12. How healthy is your well water?

Many of us receive annual medical check-ups by our family physician, but when was the last time your water well was checked by a licensed water well contractor? Many homeowners take their drinking water for granted and have expectations of a limitless flow of water, and most water systems are not inspected until it is required for a real estate transaction or refinancing. In order to avoid future water problems in your home, access our resource on preventative measures you can do yourself.