Every good decision about well water starts with a test — and most bad purchases start without one. Municipal water is tested for you; your well is tested by no one unless you do it. This hub covers what to test, how often, DIY kits versus certified labs, and how to turn a results sheet into an action plan.
The testing schedule (CDC/EPA baseline)
| Test | Frequency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Total coliform bacteria + E. coli | Every year | The #1 health risk in private wells |
| Nitrates | Every year | Critical for infants and pregnancy; agricultural areas |
| pH, hardness, iron, manganese, sulfur, TDS | Every 1–3 years, and before buying any treatment | Sizes and selects your equipment |
| Arsenic, lead, radon, VOCs | At least once; per state guidance | Region-dependent health contaminants |
| Anything, immediately | After flooding, nearby construction, taste/odor change, or well work | Conditions change |
DIY kits vs certified labs
DIY strip and reagent kits ($20–$50) are good screening tools for hardness, iron, pH, and chlorine — fine for sizing comfort equipment. Certified lab tests ($30–$200) are the only acceptable option for health contaminants: bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, lead. Many state health departments and county extensions offer subsidized testing; check yours before paying retail.
Guides in this section
- How to read your well water test report [batch 1]
- Best well water test kits [batch 2]
- How often to test well water [batch 3]
- [Outil à venir : “What’s Wrong With My Water?” — quiz diagnostic]
Once you have numbers in hand, go straight to the fix: match your results to a treatment.