How do I test my water well?

Author: Trinity Zieme  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance.

How to test your well water yourself?

How to Test Your Water Quality at Home Without a Kit
  1. #1 Assess Color, Taste, and Odor Test.
  2. #2 Use a Water Hardness Test.
  3. #3 Try a Magnifying Glass.
  4. #4 Boil Your Water for a Dissolved Solids Test.
  5. Additional Factors to Consider.
  6. Why Test Your Home's Water Quality.
  7. Rayne Water: Aiding Water Quality Since 1928.

How much does it cost to have a well-tested?

A pro can offer a more accurate estimate for your well based on its type, depth, and other factors. The cost of a well inspection ranges from $150 to $900, with most people paying around $450. Your total cost will depend on factors like the type of well you have, its depth, and your location.

How do you know if your well water is good?

At a minimum, check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems. Test your well water at least once each year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you ever think your well is contaminated with other harmful germs or chemicals, test for those as well.

How to get your well water tested for free?

Often county health departments will help you test for bacteria or nitrates. If not, you can have your water tested by a state certified laboratory. You can find one in your area by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visiting www.epa.gov/safewater/labs.

How to Test Your Well Water

Are home water testing kits accurate?

Most do-it-yourself or at-home test kits are neither very accurate nor comprehensive. Too many of these products exaggerate what they're able to provide for you.

Does Home Depot do water testing?

The vast majority of Home Depot stores actually offer free testing kits. Be sure to inquire with your local store to learn more. Sterile Sample Bottles. If your kit doesn't provide them, make sure to get bottles that are meant for water sampling to prevent contamination.

How many years does a water well last?

IS MY WELL JUST OLD? Another problem can be well age. A well's lifespan is considered to be roughly 20 to 30 years.

What is the best water testing kit?

For highly accurate and comprehensive results, we recommend the Tap Score Advanced Home Water Test Kit. Water samples are submitted to an EPA-certified laboratory that screens for 114 parameters, providing a much more detailed analysis than at-home test kits.

How do I check my well water level?

Use an electric depth gauge. This is the easiest, and most common method to measure your well's static water level. This equipment typically consists of two wires with an electronic sensor that indicates when, and at what depth, the tape has hit water. The tapes can be purchased or constructed.

Is a well inspection worth it?

Regular checkups of water wells are imperative to ensure the safety, functionality, and proper operation of a private water well. Naturally, you should leave this to licensed professionals who can conduct detailed water well inspections that help unveil potential issues, including health risks or poor water quality.

How much is a well check without insurance?

The cost of a primary care visit without insurance generally ranges from $150-$300 for a basic visit and averages $171 across major cities in the United States. For any additional services such as childhood and adult immunizations, lab testing, or prescriptions, there will be additional charges.

How to check water quality in home?

To test the purity of water at home, buy a home testing kit and dip each testing strip into a glass of tap water. Use the chart that came with the kit to determine your water quality. If you don't have a kit, smell, taste, and inspect the water.

Where to go to have well water tested?

Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance.

How do I troubleshoot my water well?

Start by eliminating the most common causes first.
  1. Check all the water fixtures in your home to see if any of them will still run. ...
  2. Check your iron filter system for clogging. ...
  3. Check your water softener for failure. ...
  4. Check the well pressure gauge. ...
  5. Check the pressure switch. ...
  6. Make sure the well pump has power.

How much does it cost to test a water well?

A well inspection costs $250 to $550, depending on the well type, depth, and age and whether the inspection includes water testing. Laboratory well water testing alone costs $100 to $350 on average.

Are DIY water testing kits accurate?

However, using water testing strips for chemical contaminants has major flaws: They do not test with enough accuracy. They do not test at low-enough levels.

Is water testing expensive?

Household water quality tests can cost up to $200. Follow the QR code to the right to find a water quality testing lab near you. Many county environmental or health departments have programs for discounted water testing.

Do plumbers test water quality?

Contaminants like chemicals, lead, heavy metals, and bacteria can find their way into the water supply. By testing water quality in your home, plumbing professionals play a pivotal role in safeguarding your family's well-being as well as helping with the longevity of the plumbing systems in your home.

How can you tell if your well water is bad?

Signs of contaminated well water
  • Murky or cloudy appearance. ...
  • Visible sediment in water. ...
  • Oily film on water. ...
  • Scale or scum buildup in pipes, showerheads, and faucets. ...
  • Brown, red, or green stains on sinks, clothes, and appliances. ...
  • Rotten egg, detergent, or chlorine smell. ...
  • Salty, soapy, metallic, or chemical taste.

How much does it cost to replace a well?

Because of this, the range is $2,500 to $17,000. These costs would include all equipment, material and labor to install a basic well pump all the way to a high capacity deep well installation. For a more concise breakdown on well pump replacement or installation costs, please read on.

How do I tell if I need a new well?

Major Signs You May Be in Need of Well Repair
  1. You May Need a Well Repair if You Have No Water. ...
  2. There's a Loss in Water Pressure. ...
  3. You Hear Loud Noises. ...
  4. There Is Air “Spitting” From Your Faucet. ...
  5. Your Well Water Is Dirty or Smells Bad. ...
  6. The Pump Continues to Run.

Can I test my water myself?

First, be wary of the many do-it-yourself test kits sold online or in hardware stores, in which you test a sample of water in your own home without sending it to a lab. It's not always clear what they test for or how accurate they are. Instead, the EPA recommends using a certified lab.

Do home inspectors test well water?

With some basic training and equipment, home inspectors can offer water quality testing as an ancillary service or as part of their standard home inspection. In many areas, mortgage lenders require water quality testing for properties with private wells.

What is the best way to test hard water at home?

Quick In-Home Testing

Fill the bottle one-third full, add a few drops of pure liquid soap and shake vigorously for a few seconds. If there is a distinct lack of fluffy bubbles and the water appears cloudy and/or milky, your water is hard.

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