Last updated: February 2026
The Quick Answer
Neither well water nor city water is inherently safer. They face different risks, require different approaches, and each has real advantages the other lacks.
City water is treated and regulated by the EPA — meaning it's tested regularly and disinfected. But that regulation comes with tradeoffs: chlorine disinfection creates cancer-linked byproducts, aging infrastructure adds lead, and many systems contain PFAS (forever chemicals).
Well water avoids municipal treatment chemicals entirely. But it's completely unregulated — the EPA has zero authority over private wells. That means testing, treatment, and maintenance are 100% your responsibility.
How Well Water and City Water Differ
The fundamental difference is simple: city water is someone else's responsibility; well water is yours.
City (municipal) water comes from surface reservoirs or deep aquifers, gets treated at a central facility, and travels through miles of pipes to your home. It must meet EPA standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report showing what's in it.
Well water comes from a private well on or near your property, drawing from underground aquifers. There's no treatment plant, no testing mandate, and no annual report. What you get is whatever nature provides — plus anything that seeps in from the surface.
City Water: Pros and Cons
✅ Advantages
- Regulated and tested: EPA requires regular testing for 90+ contaminants. Violations are public record.
- Disinfected: Chlorine or chloramine kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites — you won't get E. coli from city water.
- Fluoridated: Most city water contains fluoride for dental health (though some people prefer to remove it).
- Consistent supply: No pump to maintain, no well to worry about during drought.
- No maintenance: The utility handles treatment and infrastructure (mostly).
❌ Disadvantages
- Disinfection byproducts: Chlorine creates HAAs and THMs — linked to cancer at levels commonly found in city water.
- PFAS contamination: Municipal systems are a major source of PFAS exposure. Treatment is expensive and most utilities haven't implemented it yet.
- Lead from infrastructure: An estimated 9.2 million lead service lines still deliver city water to homes.
- Monthly cost: Average U.S. water bill is $40–$70/month and rising.
- Taste: Chlorine and chloramine create noticeable taste and odor many people dislike.
- Outdated standards: EPA legal limits haven't been updated for most contaminants in 20+ years.
Well Water: Pros and Cons
✅ Advantages
- No chlorine or disinfection chemicals: No DBPs, no chemical taste, no chloramine.
- No monthly water bill: After initial drilling and pump costs, your water is essentially free.
- No PFAS from treatment: Well water avoids municipal treatment-related contamination (though PFAS can still reach aquifers).
- Natural mineral content: Many wells provide naturally mineral-rich water — calcium, magnesium, and other beneficial minerals.
- Independence: Not subject to municipal water restrictions, boil orders, or infrastructure failures.
- No fluoride (if you prefer): Well water doesn't contain added fluoride unless naturally present.
❌ Disadvantages
- Zero regulation: No one tests your water unless you do. No legal standards apply to private wells.
- Bacterial risk: Without disinfection, wells can harbor E. coli, coliform bacteria, and other pathogens — especially shallow wells or those with compromised casings.
- Arsenic exposure: Naturally occurring arsenic is common in well water across the western U.S. and parts of New England.
- Nitrate contamination: Agricultural runoff is a major threat to wells in farming regions. Nitrates are dangerous for infants.
- Maintenance responsibility: Pump repairs, well inspections, and water testing are all on you. Pump replacement costs $1,000–$3,000.
- Hard water: Most well water is significantly harder than city water, causing scale buildup and appliance damage.
- Drought vulnerability: Shallow wells can go dry during extended drought.
Contaminant Comparison
The contaminants you'll face depend entirely on your water source:
| Contaminant | City Water Risk | Well Water Risk | Health Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacteria (E. coli, coliform) | Low ✓ | High ✗ | GI illness, serious infection |
| Disinfection byproducts | High ✗ | None ✓ | Cancer, reproductive issues |
| PFAS | High ✗ | Moderate | Cancer, immune suppression |
| Lead | High ✗ | Low ✓ | Brain damage, developmental |
| Arsenic | Low-Moderate | High ✗ | Cancer, skin lesions |
| Nitrates | Low ✓ | High ✗ | Blue baby syndrome, thyroid |
| Iron/Manganese | Low ✓ | High ✗ | Taste, staining, GI issues |
| Chlorine/Chloramine | Present ✗ | Absent ✓ | Skin irritation, taste |
| Radon | Low ✓ | Moderate ✗ | Lung cancer (via inhalation) |
| Pesticides/Herbicides | Low-Moderate | High ✗ (farming areas) | Cancer, endocrine disruption |
Important: A 2023 USGS study found that approximately 23% of private wells had at least one contaminant above human health benchmarks. Since wells are untested by default, the real number could be higher — many well owners simply don't know.
Testing Requirements
City Water Testing
Your utility handles this. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, they must:
- Test for 90+ contaminants on regular schedules
- Publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- Notify you of any violations
- Report results to the EPA and state agencies
You can look up your utility's results in the EWG Tap Water Database. However, these results reflect water leaving the treatment plant — not what reaches your tap. For lead and copper, home testing is still essential, especially in homes built before 1986.
Well Water Testing
The EPA recommends this minimum testing schedule for private wells:
| Test | Frequency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Coliform bacteria | Annually | Indicates contamination from surface water or sewage |
| Nitrates | Annually | Agricultural runoff; dangerous for infants |
| pH level | Annually | Affects corrosion and contaminant solubility |
| Total dissolved solids | Annually | Overall water quality indicator |
| Arsenic | Every 3-5 years | Naturally occurring carcinogen in many aquifers |
| Radon | Every 3-5 years | Radioactive gas, especially in granite regions |
| Pesticides/VOCs | Every 3-5 years | If near agriculture or industry |
| Heavy metals | Every 3-5 years | Lead, copper, manganese, iron |
Recommended Water Test Kits
Safe Home Ultimate Kit
~$200
Lab-certified testing for 200+ contaminants including bacteria, arsenic, nitrates, pesticides, and heavy metals. Ideal for comprehensive well water analysis.
View on Amazon →Health Metric 14-in-1 Test
~$30
Quick at-home testing for lead, bacteria, chlorine, hardness, and 10 more parameters. Perfect for city water spot checks.
View on Amazon →Coliform/E. Coli Test Kit
~$25
Essential annual test for well owners. Detects total coliform and E. coli bacteria — the most critical safety check for untreated well water.
View on Amazon →Cost Comparison
Here's what each water source actually costs over time:
| Expense | City Water | Well Water |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly water bill | $40–$70 | $0 (electricity only: ~$5–$15) |
| Annual cost | $500–$850 | $60–$180 (electricity) |
| Well drilling | N/A | $3,000–$15,000 (one-time) |
| Pump replacement | N/A | $1,000–$3,000 (every 10-15 yrs) |
| Annual testing | $0 (utility handles) | $100–$300 |
| Basic filtration | $40–$250/year | $100–$500/year |
| Water softener | Usually not needed | $1,000–$3,000 + $100/year salt |
Bottom line: Well water has higher upfront costs but lower ongoing costs. Over a 20-year period, well water typically costs less — but you're trading money for personal responsibility.
Best Filters for Each Water Source
For City Water
City water's main issues are chlorine taste, disinfection byproducts, PFAS, and potential lead. Here's what to consider:
- Basic improvement: A carbon pitcher filter (Brita Longlast or PUR) removes chlorine taste and lead for ~$30.
- Comprehensive protection: An under-sink reverse osmosis system removes 99%+ of contaminants including PFAS, DBPs, and lead.
- Whole-house: A carbon whole-house filter removes chlorine before it reaches showers and appliances.
For Well Water
Well water filtration depends entirely on your test results. Common setups include:
- UV disinfection: Essential if bacteria are detected. Kills 99.99% of bacteria and viruses without chemicals.
- Sediment filter: Pre-filter for particulates, sand, and rust. Protects downstream equipment.
- Iron/manganese filter: Oxidation-based filters remove iron and manganese that cause staining and metallic taste.
- Water softener: Ion exchange removes hardness minerals (calcium, magnesium) to prevent scale buildup.
- Reverse osmosis: For arsenic, nitrates, heavy metals, and comprehensive point-of-use protection.
Top Filter Recommendations
APEC ROES-50
~$200
5-stage reverse osmosis. Works for both city and well water. Removes 99% of contaminants including arsenic, nitrates, lead, and bacteria. Made in USA.
View on Amazon →HQUA UV Water Purifier
~$120
Whole-house UV disinfection. Essential for well owners. Kills 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and parasites without chemicals. 12 GPM flow rate.
View on Amazon →Fleck 5600SXT
~$600
Digital metered water softener. Ideal for hard well water. Programmable regeneration. 48,000 grain capacity handles most household needs.
View on Amazon →💡 Pro tip: Many well water systems need a multi-stage approach — for example, sediment filter → iron filter → UV → RO at the kitchen sink. Always test first, then design your system based on actual results rather than guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is well water safer than city water?
Neither is inherently safer. City water is regulated by the EPA and treated for bacteria, but contains disinfection byproducts and may have PFAS. Well water avoids chlorine and treatment chemicals, but is unregulated and may contain bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, or heavy metals. Both benefit from testing and appropriate filtration.
How often should I test my well water?
The EPA recommends testing well water at least once per year for bacteria (coliform), nitrates, pH, and total dissolved solids. Test more frequently if you notice changes in taste, color, or odor, or if there's nearby agricultural or industrial activity. Test for arsenic, radon, and pesticides every 3-5 years.
Do I need a water filter for well water?
It depends on your test results. Common well water issues include bacteria (requires UV or chlorination), iron and manganese (requires oxidation filter), hardness (requires water softener), and arsenic or nitrates (requires reverse osmosis). Get a comprehensive water test first, then choose filtration based on what's actually detected.
What contaminants are common in well water?
The most common well water contaminants include bacteria (E. coli, coliform), nitrates from agricultural runoff, arsenic (naturally occurring in many regions), iron and manganese (causes staining and metallic taste), hard water minerals, radon, and pesticides or herbicides in farming areas.
Is city water safe to drink without a filter?
City water meets EPA legal standards, but those standards haven't been updated for most contaminants in over 20 years. Common concerns include disinfection byproducts (HAAs, THMs), PFAS, lead from old pipes, and chlorine taste. A filter — even a basic carbon pitcher — improves taste and removes some contaminants.
Can I switch from city water to a well?
Yes, but it's a significant investment. Well drilling costs $3,000–$15,000 depending on depth and geology. You'll also need permits (check local regulations), a pressure tank, and potentially treatment equipment. Some areas prohibit new wells or require minimum lot sizes. Consult a licensed well driller and your county health department before proceeding.