well water testing

Health Metric Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water, Runner-Up, Best for Well Water: The Health Metrics Heavy Metals test is an informative way to rule out or confirm the presence of lead and other metals. Understanding the risk associated with the quality of your well water is important. ", "This kit tests for lead, mercury, copper, and iron—all in under 15 minutes. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Only through testing can you be assured of a continued supply of clean, safe water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Well Water Quality Testing Services DHEC's Private Well Program and the EA Laboratories perform analytical testing of water from residential wells for a fee. ", "This easy-to-use kit gives you information on 10 different containments. While these tests are usually the most comprehensive, they're also the most expensive. Well water testing is a must if you live in a home with a well. Test your well water at least once a year for bacteria and for other contaminants every 3-5 years. There are over 1 million private wells in Pennsylvania serving 3.5 million people in rural areas. Reviewers consistently find these strips to be super simple to use and a valuable detection tool for suspected problems with their salt chlorine generator. Water from … Fecal coliform bacteria are a specific kind of total coliform. It also takes less time to process the results when compared to other test kits on this list. Well Water Quality and Testing Private Well Water. To receive updates highlighting our recent work to prevent infectious disease, enter your email address: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Individuals who receive their water from a community water supply or water utility should have access to an annual consumer confidence report or water quality report...Individuals using private well water do not have access to this kind of information, as private well water is generally not required to be monitored for contaminants. review process here. It is important not to confuse the test for the common and usually harmless WQI E. coli with a test for the more dangerous germ E. coli O157:H7. Several water quality indicators (WQIs) and contaminants that should be tested for in your water are listed below. Contaminants Some water testing kits can detect a wide variety of common contaminants, such as lead, chlorine, copper, iron, and more. Unlike municipal water, which has been tested and filtered of dangerous substances, there's no one watching that well water but you! Test Your Well Water Every Year - It's Simple and Inexpensive. ", "The kit tests for chlorine, bromine, pH, acid demand, and total alkalinity. Nitrate is naturally found in many types of food. The company states that it is not affiliated with any water treatment companies and provides objective advice on how to tackle troublesome contaminants or improve the general quality of your water for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry and more. The … However, high levels of nitrate in drinking water can make people sick. Routine water testing is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to ensure that your water … ", You can opt-out at any time. It uses drop reagents versus paper strips; while both can be effective testing methods, some feel that drop reagents provide more accurate testing results. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. This does not mean that a dry well will never have water in it again, as the water level may come back through time as recharge increases. Test your water every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. Collecting a water sample for testing isn't as easy as turning on the tap. These microbes typically do not make you sick; however, because microbes that do cause disease are hard to test for in the water, “total coliforms” are tested instead. Once you know what contaminants are in your water, you can find a certified treatment solution to address your specific water quality concerns.”, Rick Andrew, NSF International’s Global Water Program. Yet, despite the importance of testing your water, only half of Pennsylvania wells have ever been tested. In addition, other heavy metals like mercury and copper raise additional health concerns. ", "The EPA doesn’t regulate private wells, so it's important to test well water. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. This easy-to-use kit gives you information on 10 different containments without having to send in water samples and wait for the results. Private well water samples can be submitted to the State Lab through the local health department. Using this kit is simple, as it comes with easy-to-read strips that provide ranges for each tested contaminant. The parent company to Safe Home is Environmental Laboratories, which is one of the largest EPA-certified drinking water labs in North America. EPA Home Water Testing … Nitrate in your well water can come from animal waste, private septic systems, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, and decaying plants. The presence of nitrate in well water also depends on the geology of the land around your well. Poolmaster 22260 5-Way Swimming Pool Chemistry Test, Best for Salt Water Pools: These total hardness test strips from JNW Direct will help you understand your water hardness in moments. The kit tests for 6 in-organic substances, 12 physical properties, 32 toxic metals, 20 semi-volatile organic compounds, and 130 volatile organic compounds. To help you find the best solution for your needs, here are the best water testing kits available now. This water testing kit for lead, mercury, copper, and iron takes under 15 minutes to complete. A major benefit of the Tap Score water testing kit is the fact that your analysis includes water treatment advice and the support of a team of water engineers and experts. ", "Your results will include not only contaminant levels but also water treatment advice. Performing water testing on well water is particularly important, since the EPA doesn’t regulate private wells and bacteria along with nitrites, nitrates, and hydrogen sulfide can easily affect your water source. Many state and federal authorities recommend private wells be tested at least once a year to ensure the continued safety of the water. Consider how the filter fits your home, lifestyle, and budget, A Guide to Drinking Water Treatment Technologies for HouseHold Use, Drinking Water Treatment and Sanitation for Backcountry & Travel Use, Information for Public Health & Medical Professionals, Water, Sanitation, & Environmentally-related Hygiene, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, There are known problems with well water in your area, You have experienced problems near your well (i.e., flooding, land disturbances, and nearby waste disposal sites), You replace or repair any part of your well system, You notice a change in water quality (i.e., taste, color, odor). If you have a private well, the Department of Health strongly recommends that you test your water for bacteria and nitrate at least once per year. Water tests are often formulated specifically for various water sources, testing for the most common contaminants found in that type of water. For one of the most comprehensive water testing kits on the market, consider the Ultimate kit from Safe Home. If you’re looking for a water testing kit for your home, the Tap Score Activated Home Water Test is a pricey but informative option. The goal of the Virginia Household Water Quality Program is to improve the water quality and health of Virginians with private water … Just be sure that you follow the directions and only immerse the strip in 1 inch of water. Water source First, you’ll want to figure out what type of water you’re testing — is it from a well or public water supply, or is from your pool or faucet at home? Some contaminants in drinking water have been linked to cancer and toxicity, posing a risk to human health. Simple Water Tap Score Professional Home Water Test, Best for Pools: Testing for mineral content, chemicals or other contaminants should be done through a private laboratory. A private well should be inspected by a public health professional before testing … This kit contains the essentials you need to affordably monitor your pool chemicals in between trips to the pool store for more in-depth testing. This well water testing kit covers all the bases to give you peace of mind regarding the quality of your well water. The EPA has set a limit of 15 ppb for lead in municipal water supplies and this testing kit will indicate whether your water contains lead above or below the 15 ppb threshold. (Please see Water-related Diseases and Contaminants in Private Wells for a list of additional germs and chemicals in drinking water wells and the illnesses they cause.). E. coli is part of the fecal coliform group and may be tested for by itself. Some people have critiqued the chlorine test for making it difficult to determine free chlorine versus total chlorine. At a minimum, check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems; test it once each year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. Only laboratory testing … The test results allow you to properly address the specific problems of a water … The Poolmaster 5-Way Swimming Pool Chemistry Test covers all the essentials you need for routine monitoring and maintenance of your pool. You receive results within about 10 days and contaminants are quantified so that you can have more insights into your home’s water quality. A nitrate test is recommended for all wells. TotalCare Brochure. Well water can become contaminated at any time without your knowledge. During the real estate transaction (RET), the seller must test the well's water quality and share the results and the RET form to comply with the Domestic Well Testing … These tests could include testing for lead, arsenic, mercury, radium, atrazine, and other pesticides. Contact your local health or environmental department, or the EPA to find out if any VOCs are a problem in your region. Test your well water every year for nitrate, and always test the water for nitrate before giving it to an infant. These kits generally use either test strips submerged into a water sample or drops that react with various contaminants if present. How to keep your water … Take steps to get connected to a public water system, if you have the chance. Other germs or harmful chemicals that you should test for will depend on where your well is located on your property, which state you live in, and whether you live in an urban or rural area. Many contaminants often have no taste, odor, or color. A well is said to have gone dry when water levels drop below a pump intake. ", "Use these strips if you suspect any issues with your salt chlorine generator. It provides insights into the presence of bacteria, nitrates and nitrites, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and a guide to the total alkalinity, total hardness, and pH of your water. AquaChek 561140A Salt Water Swimming Pool Test Strips, Best for Water Hardness: The State Hygienic Laboratory at the … If you suspect other contaminants, you should test for those as well. “It’s important to understand that not all filters can reduce all contaminants. Fecal coliforms and E. coli are usually harmless. If you have a private water supply (a private well), your local Board of Health has jurisdiction over it. If you know what substance you’re testing for, you may want to go with the latter option, but if you want to know generally what’s in your water, a broader kit is probably the way to go. Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our Home Drinking Water Testing Fact Sheet. Because the body requires ample water… El Paso County Public Health Laboratory performs water potability testing for private well owners and for community water systems required to meet Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations. The pH level of the water can change how your water looks and tastes. In fact, well … You should check with your local health or environmental department, or the EPA to find out if any of these contaminants are a problem in your region. So when you mail your sample in, you can have confidence in the quality of analysis performed. It also includes an at-home test for coliform (bacteria) and instructions on how to complete it. Do you have a well, spring or cistern? While some reviewers had trouble reading the test results or failed to see any change in test strip color, the company has a track record for replacing defective products. Reviewers point out that even if you’re a novice to pool testing, you shouldn’t be intimidated with the help of this kit that walks you through each step of the testing process. According to users, the test kit is easy to use and provides peace of mind if your lead is below the EPA limit. "This mail-in kit will screen for over 200 contaminants and provide in-depth results. The presence of nitrate in well water also depends on the geology of the land around your well. Since some contaminant testing … This is a sampling service for private water wells only. Testing procedure You’ll also want to consider the testing procedure when purchasing a water testing kit. VOCs are industrial and fuel-related chemicals that may cause bad health effects at certain levels. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Water-related Diseases and Contaminants in Private Wells, Well Water Information Based on Where You Live, State Certified Drinking Water Laboratories, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED), Choosing Home Water Filters & Other Water Treatment Systems, Step 2. For lead, the test is of a pass/fail nature, which is the case for virtually all at-home lead water testing kits. If you have a private well, then water quality testing should be important to you and your family. CDC twenty four seven. Which VOCs to test for depends on where you live. EPA offers information regarding the importance of testing private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove any contaminants. Our chosen links North America about half of the land around your well the surface allowing... 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