Well water
When Should You Test Well Water?
Private wells have no utility testing. Learn what to test, how often, and which events, like floods or repairs, mean you should test sooner.
A private well needs a testing plan because no municipal utility routinely monitors the household’s tap. The CDC recommends testing private-well water at least once a year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH, and checking the well for mechanical problems and cleanliness. Additional tests depend on local conditions and potential nearby sources. CDC well-testing guidelines (opens in a new tab)
Test sooner after a flood, well repair, nearby land disturbance, a change in water appearance, taste, or smell, or notice of a local problem. The CDC also identifies pregnancy or a child moving into the household as reasons to review testing. Use a state-certified laboratory and ask the local health department which additional tests make sense for the well’s location.
Testing is most useful when the sample is collected and handled exactly as the laboratory instructs. A do-it-yourself strip can be useful for some parameters, but it cannot replace a certified laboratory test for the full range of concerns. Keep dated copies of results so changes over time can be compared.
Treatment should follow the result. A high hardness reading is not the same issue as a positive bacteria result or a detected chemical. If a test indicates a possible health concern, ask the health department or laboratory how to interpret the result and what immediate steps are appropriate. A filtration contractor can explain treatment equipment, but should not substitute a sales recommendation for public-health advice.
