Health officer tells residents to avoid private wells until tests confirm safety

Lake County’s public health officer urged caution after initial lab results from private wells near Robin Lane showed contamination.

"Residents who live in the area...and who rely on private drinking water wells are advised to temporarily relocate until their private well is deemed safe for use by me acting as your public health officer," Dr. Robert Bernstein said, laying out advice for residents within the defined footprint south of Pond Road, north of Rumsey Road, east of Pamela Lane and west of Robin Lane.

Bernstein said certain groups — children under 5, adults over 60, people with open wounds, those with severe respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems — should strongly consider temporary relocation. He recommended that affected residents consult their homeowners insurance for temporary lodging coverage and contact Lake County Special Districts at (707) 263‑0119 for assistance.

Craig Weatherby of Lake County Environmental Health said the agency had returned contaminated results for early samples focused on Robin Drive but was expanding sampling. "To date, we've collected over 75 samples and will continue to do so throughout the week," Weatherby said. He emphasized that the county will only test private wells with homeowner consent and that lab turnaround is typically about 24 hours; officials plan repeated testing of wells to distinguish contamination of well equipment from contamination of the aquifer.

County officials said there is an established process to disinfect wells — typically a sodium hypochlorite shock of the well and surrounding immediate aquifer — and that the county currently has no intention to charge homeowners for that work under the emergency declaration funds opened for the response.

Officials cautioned that while some early data are encouraging in limited locations, they are not lifting the "do not use" notice for private wells until further confirmatory testing.

Next steps include doubling sampling rates in subsequent days, strategic long‑term monitoring of selected wells and daily public updates as more lab results arrive.