How can you find out if well water is safe to drink? Beginning today, information is just a click away.
The Groundwater Information Management System (GIMS), online at http://imaps.co.wake.nc.us/gims, provides instant, easy access to groundwater quality and contaminant data for wells in Wake County. Wake County Environmental Services' Water Quality Division and Geographic Information Services have teamed up, using the latest technology to bring this important service to the public. GIMS uses a map-based interface to show well locations around the County and allows users to view water sampling results and data on contaminant incidents.
"The water quality in your well is one of the main safety issues for a family or a community," said Commissioners' Chair Joe Bryan. "The GIMS technology puts information at our citizens'' fingertips so they can have confidence in their well water or remediate when necessary."
Born out of the County's Comprehensive Groundwater Investigation, GIMS is a key part of the County's strategy to ensure a safe supply of drinking water for Wake County residents now and in the future.
Homeowners and prospective homebuyers, builders, contractors, real estate professionals and environmental consulting firms can use GIMS to find data on individual wells. Searches can be done by permit number, owner name, address or parcel ID number – or, users can simply zoom in on the GIMS map.
Currently, the system contains only information on wells installed since 1998 or those for which the County's environmental health specialists have been called to perform water sampling.
For more information on GIMS or help interpreting water-sampling results, call Greg Bright, Wake County Environmental Services, at 856-7465.