Well Water Treatment, Mead to Colville, WA

Water in Mead, Colbert, Deer Park, Chewelah & Colville at a Glance

North of Spokane the water story changes from city water to private wells. Many homes in Mead, Colbert, Deer Park, Chewelah and Colville rely on wells drilled into fractured bedrock, where iron, manganese, hardness and, in some areas, naturally occurring uranium and arsenic are common. Washington's Department of Health recommends wells in Spokane and Stevens counties be tested for uranium at least once. Every system we install here starts with a lab test.

Local Water Facts

Water sources	Private wells; Whitworth Water District and small systems near Mead/Colbert; city systems in Deer Park, Chewelah and Colville
Common well issues	Iron, manganese, hardness, bacteria; uranium and arsenic in some areas
Uranium standard	30 micrograms per liter (EPA)
Who tests private wells	The homeowner. Private wells are not regulated by the state
Phone	(509) 286-1223

Last reviewed October 2026. Sources listed below.

Why well water here needs testing first

Once you leave the aquifer north of Spokane, homes increasingly rely on private wells drilled into granite and other bedrock. Bedrock wells pick up whatever minerals the rock contains, so neighbors can have very different water.

The Spokane Regional Health District notes that some areas of Spokane County have private wells with elevated uranium and/or arsenic and recommends testing. A USGS study of northeastern Washington found that about 5% of more than 1,700 historically sampled wells exceeded the 30 µg/L uranium standard, with the highest concentrations in north-central Stevens County. Uranium and arsenic have no taste, color or smell, so a lab test is the only way to know.

More visible problems are common too: orange-brown iron staining, black manganese deposits, rotten-egg sulfur odor, and hard water scale.

Town by town

Mead and Colbert: parts of the area are served by Whitworth Water District and other small systems, and many homes on larger lots are on private wells.
Deer Park: city homes are on Deer Park's municipal wells; surrounding rural homes are mostly on private wells.
Chewelah and Colville (Stevens County): in-town homes are on city systems, while the surrounding countryside is predominantly private wells. Stevens County is where the USGS found the region's highest uranium concentrations.

What we usually install on wells here

Iron and manganese: an oxidizing iron filter such as Water Right's Iron Curtain ahead of the softener. See Water Right systems.
Hardness: a softener sized to measured hardness, after iron is handled.
Bacteria: UV disinfection after filtration. See UV water purification.
Uranium or arsenic: reverse osmosis at the drinking water tap, chosen and verified against your lab result. See drinking water systems.

Learn More

Mead, Colbert, Deer Park, Chewelah & Colville Water Questions

Common questions we hear from homeowners in these communities

Should I test my well for uranium in Mead or Deer Park?

Yes. Washington's Department of Health recommends private well owners in Spokane, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry and Okanogan counties test for uranium at least once, because it occurs naturally in the region's rock. The standard is 30 micrograms per liter.

What causes orange stains and a metallic taste in my well water?

Iron, often with manganese. Both are common in bedrock wells north of Spokane. An iron filter ahead of the softener is the usual fix, sized to your lab results.

How far north do you go?

We regularly serve Mead, Colbert, Deer Park, Chewelah and Colville. If you're farther out, call (509) 286-1223 and we'll tell you honestly whether we can serve you well.

How often should I test my well?

Test at least once a year for bacteria and nitrate, and get a full panel (including uranium and arsenic) at least once, after any well work, or if the taste, color or smell changes.