For more than 43 million Americans, private wells are a primary source of drinking water. Well water systems are common in rural areas where homes are out of reach of municipal water supplies.
For these families, the short answer is yes, well water needs to be tested.
Unlike city water (which is regulated, tested, and treated by government agencies) private well water is drawn directly from natural groundwater supplies. Homeowners with private wells must take it upon themselves to ensure their water is safe to use and consume. If you rely on well water, it’s essential to know when to complete water quality testing, how often to test well water, and what contaminants to look for.
Before using a well for the first time—like when you move into a home with a private well—performing an initial water test is crucial. This provides a baseline for future testing and identifies any immediate water quality concerns. Annual testing is also recommended, as it helps catch any changes in water quality before they pose health risks. Some situations warrant immediate testing, including:
Various contaminants commonly found in water can affect water taste, odor, and safety. Though some of these impurities are noticeable, others are completely invisible and can only be uncovered during well water testing.
A high coliform count in water indicates the presence of potentially harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Coliforms are a type of bacteria found in human and animal digestive tracts. They are also commonly found in soil, plants, and surface water. These bacteria often enter wells through either animal waste or soil. Fecal coliforms, such as E. coli, can be harmless. However, some varieties can cause severe illness, such as gastrointestinal problems.
The pH of your water affects both its taste and appearance, as well as its impact on plumbing. Depending on how acidic or alkaline your water is, water pH can cause pipes to corrode and lead to leaks or a metallic taste in drinking water. Leaking pipes may introduce heavy metals into your water.
Total dissolved solids are dissolved organic and inorganic materials in water. TDS can impact how water tastes and looks. High levels of some TDS, such as calcium and magnesium, can lead to hard water scale buildup on fixtures, appliances, and surfaces.
Nitrates are a naturally occurring nitrogen compound that, when ingested in excess, can cause health risks. These compounds can enter well water sources from anything from farm runoff to decaying plant matter. High nitrate levels are particularly dangerous for infants and can cause conditions like blue baby syndrome, which affects oxygen flow in the blood.
Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury can occur naturally, leach into water supplies from corroded pipes, or enter wells after environmental disasters. These metals pose serious long-term health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women. Testing for heavy metals is essential because exposure can lead to developmental delays, nerve damage, kidney problems, and even cancer.
Volatile organic compounds are industrial chemicals that occasionally enter water sources from fuel storage or industrial spills. Long-term exposure to VOCs can lead to cancer, liver damage, and respiratory problems. It’s important to test for VOCs, particularly if you live near industrial areas or if there’s a history of fuel contamination in your region. Benzene, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, trichloroethylene, and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) are examples of VOCs that can be present in water.
Private well owners have a responsibility to test their water. At-home tests can make it easy to identify if there are any issues with your water. Kind Water’s water test and survey even helps you find a solution for your water issues if contaminants are present.
If you test your water using our kit, simply fill our survey bottle with cold water from an unfiltered or untreated faucet. Once full, follow the mailing instructions to ship your sample to a certified lab. Then, you’ll receive results in three to four business days.
Purchase Kind Water’s Water Test and Survey
If contaminants are detected in your well water, stop consuming it immediately. Boil your water or switch to bottled water until the issue is resolved. In some cases, you may need to invest in a water treatment system. If you have purchased our water test and survey, our purification experts will provide you with a customized treatment recommendation based on your test results. Plus, the cost of your water test will be applied toward the purchase of a Kind Water filter or treatment system.
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