Require registering the private well with the state EPA (similar to septic systems). Failure to do so incurs punitive penalties. Provide compensation to folks who report wells not reported within a grace period (similar to what NYC does with idle vehicles). Track un permitted construction using planet.com or other commercial satellite imagery providers that cover your jurisdiction boundaries.

Frankly, it’s good practice to know where humans are getting their potable water from considering potential pesticide, PFAS, and heavy metal contamination. Cheaper than health issues (cancer, primarily) and premature death that could’ve been avoided with well surveillance processes, as well a children consuming contaminated water potentially handicapping them for life. This very piece describes this in detail, and how without regulation, this harm at scale continues (because it’s easier to ignore than to protect).

The tools exist to solve for this. As always, it’s will (or lack thereof). Do we care about these people or not?