Corroded Copper Pipes/©Adobe Stock
Copper is a naturally occurring element that can be found in well water. It can enter the water through corrosion of copper pipes or from copper-containing minerals in the ground. Copper can cause a metallic taste in water and may stain fixtures or laundry.
Copper is used by the human body to maintain the nervous and immune systems as well as other functions. However, too much copper can cause a problem. Copper is listed as a primary contaminant by the USEPA because high levels of copper can have potential health effects. If you have copper pipes or suspect high copper levels in your well water, it is recommended to have your water tested for copper.
What are the effects of copper in well water?
Gastrointestinal issues: High levels of copper may cause severe stomach cramps and intestinal illnesses.
Staining: Blue-green stain in sinks and bathtubs
Taste: bitter, metallic taste and a blue-green stain in sinks and bathtubs.
Long-term exposure: High levels of copper can lead to liver or kidney damage.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health's Copper in Drinking Water website, people with Wilson's disease and some infants under the age of one are more sensitive to copper, as their bodies are not able to get rid of extra copper easily.
When should I test for copper?
The safe level of copper in well water is less than 1.3 milligrams per liter according to the USEPA. If you have specific concerns about the copper levels in your well water, it is recommended to consult with your local health department or a licensed health professional for further guidance.
To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?" , that includes copper. When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing, like copper, and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if in your drinking water.
What treatment should I use if there’s copper in my well water?
Once you test and have decided to treat your water to remove iron, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for any common constituent in well water. The most important advice we can provide you is if you are going to add treatment to your home water system, be sure the treatment device has been certified to remove copper by an independent third-party certification organization.
Where can I find more information on copper in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional - we would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – they may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs, including yours, or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – the contractor that drilled your well, and other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby including high copper, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue.
Research online – you should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there may be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs”, “my state groundwater quality”, or “my state well water quality”.
Contact us directly – if these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (free service funded by USEPA).
Additional Resources
Mechenich, C., and Andrews, E., Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results, September 2004, Wisconsin Cooperative Extension.
Lead and Copper Rule, US Environmental Protection Agency
Want to learn more about your private well and how to care for it?
Sign up for the free 10-week email course from PrivateWellClass.org. The class is a project of RCAP and the University of Illinois, with funding from USEPA.
Not finding the answer you need?
Send us a message in the chat or call us at 1-866-945-0699.