BOLTON, Mass. - Jim Starbard is checking dozens of private wells in Central Massachusetts communities like Bolton.

“We are looking for sources of surface contamination getting into the ground water," Starbard, the Massachusetts State Lead for RCAP Solutions, said.

After asking some questions, it's time to get a water sample from the home owner. Dan Gaffney is one of a million people across the state who rely on private well water. 

“We try to test annually," Dan Gaffney, North Central Massachusetts Private Well Program board member, said. 

Gaffney understands the importance of getting his water checked first hand. Both he and Starbard are leaders of the North Central Massachusetts Private Well Program. The project is funded by a grant and is aiming to test 240 wells by the end of the year.

Unlike public water, private wells aren’t subject to routine testing in Massachusetts, meaning the responsibility often falls on the homeowner.

“We have a really good understanding of the health impacts if you don’t take care water, what can actually come about," Gaffney said. 

Starbard says total coliform bacteria and E-coli have been popping up in tests. Contaminates can be harmful to a person's health and could cause illnesses like cancer.

“The ones like E-coli or nitrate, it's really an acute health issue. One time you drink it you could get really get sick, especially the immune compromised, it only takes once," Starbard said. "Then there's the chronic ones. The arsenics, the radons, the uraniums of the world. It takes time, continuous injection to become a health issue."

Besides educating homeowners for the future, the program is hoping its data will push the state legislature to pass minimum statewide regulations for private wells.

Towns currently have their own rules, some don’t have any regulations. Some state lawmakers welcome the idea.

“Putting together a common set of standards for testing and also what is and what we determine to be safe water is really critical," Sen. John Cronin (D-Worcester & Middlesex) said. 

The program is also advocating for wells to be tested as a homes are sold.

“Doing your testing is so vitally important because we know that the ground water changes and is constantly changing," Gaffney said. 

Right now, free testing is happening in six central Massachusetts communities, but dozens more will be included as the program continues over the next few years.

As for Gaffney’s water test, the results will be completed in about a week.