Water Supply

Access to clean and safe water- for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene, is critical to sustaining human health. The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) has two main goals:

• ensure there is enough of water for domestic, commercial, and fire-protection;
• ensure that the water is safe for its intended use.

Since ground water, lakes, and streams are all interconnected, protecting these water resources requires a broad and coordinated approach. RCDOH supports this by overseeing well construction, well maintenance, residential well testing, Rockland County's Private Well Testing (PWT) Law and New York State Realty Subdivision Laws.

To protect Rockland's groundwater, well construction, maintenance and decommission activities must comply with New York State and Rockland County Sanitary Codes. These services must also be performed by a registered well contractor. Permits are required to:

• drill a water supply well
• drill a geothermal well
• drill resource evaluation wells, monitoring wells or soil borings
• decommission a well
• perform maintenance or repairs on a well

RCDOH recommends homeowners test their well for bacteria every year. Our staff can collect a water sample from your home and deliver it to a local laboratory for bacteria, copper or lead analyses. Staff will also assist in explaining the lab results and any follow-up actions. Call 845-364-2595 for an appointment.

Private Well Testing

Rockland's Private Well Testing (PWT) Law requires more comprehensive testing using a registered laboratory.  Test results are valid for 1 year and required for the following:

• a newly constructed well
• property transfer or sale
• rental properties; (retest every 5 years or when the property is sold)