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Last Revised: 1/17/2025
Have you noticed a strange smell in your water or stubborn white stains left on your cups and silverware by your dishwasher? Are you wondering how to keep your family safe from water contaminants you can’t see?
If you get your water supply from a private well, these aren’t just passing concerns – they’re the kind of water quality questions that could impact your family’s short-term health and long-term safety. Unlike public city water, there are no treatment regulations on your private well water.
The good news? Testing your well water isn’t as complicated as it might sound. In fact, with a little knowledge and a few handy resources, you can transform your home’s water supply from a concerning trouble to a household asset.
At Mattioni, we’ve spent decades assisting homeowners as they take control of their water quality. Our master plumbers have helped countless well water users conduct comprehensive water tests to understand their home’s unique risks and find the right solutions for their challenges.
In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to protect your family’s health by testing your well water, identifying contaminants, and finding the right solutions for clean, safe water. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to take actionable steps towards a healthier water supply.
First, let’s answer the question: Why should well water users pay close attention to their water quality?
Why Testing Your Well Water Is Critical for Safety and Health Risks
Unlike public water systems, private wells aren’t regulated, meaning contaminants like bacteria, chemicals, and hard minerals could lurk in your water – posing silent risks to your health and home.
Here’s the part that catches some people off guard – just because your water looks clear doesn’t always mean it’s safe for you or your plumbing. Testing is always the best option when determining the health of your water supply.
How Often Should You Test Your Well Water?
Testing your private well water isn’t a one-time task; at a minimum, you should test for bacteria, hardness, and acidity once every three years. However, being proactive by testing once every year, as well as immediately after sudden environmental changes to your well water could protect you from unforeseen changes in your water quality.
For instance, if there’s been extensive flooding in your area, your property’s groundwater could be infiltrated with unsafe levels of hazardous chemicals, contaminating your water supply. The same approach is true if there is nearby construction in your neighborhood, as chemical runoff is common on construction sites. Similarly, if you suddenly notice changes in the taste, smell, or color of your water, that’s another red flag that testing could be a good idea.
Other signals that it’s time to conduct a professional water quality test include stains on your dishes or clothes, performance issues with your water heater, washing machine, or dishwasher, and frequent plumbing repairs.
Setting reminders to test your water quality once per year is a simple step that can prevent all sorts of health problems, support the efficiency of your appliances, and avoid costly plumbing repairs.
Top Contaminants to Test for in Your Well Water
When it comes to the specific contaminants to test for in your water supply, think of it as a checklist – it starts with the most dangerous contaminants first and then builds out to all other ways that your water quality may be compromised.
The basics include checking for viruses and bacteria (like coliform and E. coli). From there, testing should also look at pH levels (acidity), hardness, sediment (total dissolved solids), heavy metals, and chemicals such as chlorine and chloramines. Each of these contaminants poses a threat to your water’s safety when drinking, cooking, and showering. They can also take years off the lifespan of your plumbing system and water-based appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers.
What’s the Best Way to Test Your Well Water?
State-Certified Labs
The most reliable option is to use a state-certified lab. These labs are equipped to analyze your water for a wide range of contaminants. Your local health department can help you find your local certified lab, or you can check out the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline for recommendations. Most labs will send you a testing kit with clear instructions for collecting and submitting your water sample.
Professional Plumbers
One thing that certified labs can’t do is inspect your well for structural issues that might contribute to contamination. For that reason, bringing in a professional plumber is always a great idea. A water quality specialist can evaluate your well’s location and structure, as well as the surrounding environment, to identify contamination risks and recommend appropriate tests.
At-Home Testing Kits
There’s nothing wrong with looking for a quicker option to conduct a preliminary test prior to seeking outside help. At-home testing kits are another way to go, which are especially useful for testing things like pH levels, hardness, and heavy metals. These aren’t as thorough as a professional test, but they’re a handy resource to get a quick profile of your water quality before investing in a more detailed analysis.
Resources to Help You Get Started With Your Well Water Testing
You don’t have to tackle this process alone – organizations like the National Ground Water Association offer plenty of advice on well maintenance and water testing. For straightforward information on potential contaminants and testing methods, check out the CDC’s Well Testing Guide. And if you’re curious about water quality trends in your area, the US Geological Survey’s Water Quality Data is an excellent resource.
The team of master plumbers at Mattioni is another vital resource you can call on to get your water testing process started. Unlike generic guides, Mattioni’s team offers personalized solutions tailored to your home’s unique water quality challenges. We’ve helped countless homeowners reclaim their water quality with water conditioning and filtration systems.
Take Control of Your Water Quality: Next Steps to Testing Your Well Water
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s the good news: testing your well water is one of the simplest ways to protect your family’s health. Make it easy on yourself by marking a date on your calendar for an annual test – whether it’s a certified lab test, a home testing kit, or by setting an appointment with a water quality specialist.
Taking some time to learn about the potential contaminants in your area is another great strategy for safeguarding your home’s health and finding the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is clean and safe.
Ready to do something about your home’s water quality? Call Mattioni’s team of water quality specialists at (610) 400-8510 or book a consultation online today. We’ve helped countless others, let us assist you in your water quality journey too.
Don’t wait for a funny taste in your water, for your appliances to lose their efficiency, or worse – a health scare. Take action now – schedule your well water test with Mattioni and protect your family’s health and safety for years to come.