If the problem is a septic system or a defective well, Peninsula Pride Farms won’t pay for repairs or help cover the costs of a water treatment system.

However, if someone repairs a faulty well and a new test still finds E. coli, then assistance would be offered, said Don Niles, the owner of a 2,850-cow farm near Casco and president of the farm group.

Niles said that if the source of the E. coli isn’t entirely clear, the well owner will still be eligible for a water treatment system.

“What we are doing is owning our share,” Niles said. “We don’t want people getting sick here on our watch.”

Forty farmers formed Peninsula Pride in January to seek voluntary ways to improve environmental practices. They’ve hired a consultant to review manure handling and staged educational events. The state provided a $20,000 start-up grant, members pay dues and several businesses have contributed money for the safe drinking water effort, Niles said.

Niles estimated that as many as 40 wells — or 1 percent of the 4,000 in the county — would end up with the treatment systems, but he said there’s no way of knowing, and he’s prepared to raise more money if needed. He said he hopes that the program will mark a turning point.