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Our pH water test measures how acidic or alkaline your water is on the 0 to 14 scale, with 7.0 as neutral. Low pH water can corrode pipes and pull copper and lead into your tap, while high pH can leave scale and a bitter taste. It is a low-cost first check for well owners and anyone seeing stains, leaks or off tastes.
Because pH drives so much of what happens in your pipes, it is a sensible first test before buying treatment. Testing again afterward confirms the equipment brought your water into range. A pH number also helps explain other results, such as high copper or lead at the tap.
pH measures how acidic or alkaline water is on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7.0 as neutral. The scale is logarithmic, so water at pH 6 is ten times more acidic than water at pH 7.
Here is what pushes well water pH up or down:
pH shapes how your water treats pipes and water heaters. The USGS pH and water page explains the science, and our Langelier (Corrosion) Index combines pH with alkalinity, calcium, and dissolved solids.
A pH test makes sense if your water tastes metallic or bitter, leaves blue-green stains in sinks and tubs, or you have had pinhole leaks in copper pipes. Those are classic signs of acidic water.
It is also a low-cost first step if alkaline water seems to be leaving crusty scale, drying out your skin, or making coffee taste flat or bitter.
Checking pH every year or two is a good habit for well owners in granite regions, since acidic water can wear on plumbing slowly. It also helps to test before installing any treatment equipment, and again afterward to confirm the equipment is doing its job. A single number gives you and your installer a clear starting point.
Orders of $100 or more ship free, and smaller orders ship for an $8 flat rate. Your prepaid return label is in the kit. Because pH changes as a sample sits, please collect and ship as soon as possible after sampling, ideally the same day.
We analyze your sample in our accredited lab, using established testing methods and quality controls.
We have tested water since 1995.
Every test includes a free consultation with one of our water experts. We go over your results with you, explain what the numbers mean for your home, and help you decide on the appropriate next step, including any filtration approach.
Ships free to your door
Takes under 5 minutes
Free return shipping
Expert Consultation
Ships free to your door
Takes under 5 minutes
Free return shipping
Expert Consultation
Every test comes with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare your water source, collect your water sample, and prepare your sample for return shipment to our lab.
The appropriate sample containers are provided with sterility and sample volume requirements taken into consideration.
A short form to fill out with basic information about your water source. This helps our lab technicians process your results accurately.
A pre-paid return shipping label is included — just drop the sealed package in any mailbox or hand it to your mail carrier. No extra cost.
“The test was simple—collect a water sample from a faucet in the home. We sent the test to the lab and received a water quality analysis within a few days. The test included analysis of the water sample for the presence of: coliform bacteria, E. coli, iron, lead, pH, turbidity, and nitrates/nitrites.”
Taylor L.
“Incredible lab, they really care about their customers. As someone who doesn’t know a whole lot about water quality, they took their time to help me understand everything about my water quality situation.”
Brad R.
“I’ve used ETR for several tests, both water and air. The test kits are easy to understand and the reports are very comprehensive. But what really makes them stand out is their quality of service. There is a lot of terminology in these reports that I don’t understand, but their staff is very knowledgeable and always available to assist. They really take their time to review the results with you on the phone, and answer any questions you may have.”
John T.
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We run every test inside our own lab in Leominster, Massachusetts. Your results come straight from us, not a subcontractor. That keeps our pricing fair and our quality consistent across every kit we send out.
Most labs stop at handing you a report. We do not. Every result comes with a free call to one of our water quality experts, so you understand what your numbers mean and what to do next.
ETR Laboratories has run water tests for over 30 years. We hold membership in the national Water Quality Association and the Massachusetts Ground Water Association.
Our reviews reflect the work we do. We hold a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google, a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Angi from 342 reviews, and five-star ratings on Trustpilot.
Our Premium Water Test screens your water for 113 substances in one round, including bacteria, radon, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals, providing homeowners and landlords with a thorough assessment for peace of mind. We have run…
Water within the EPA range of 6.5 to 8.5 is considered fine to drink, and pH itself is rarely a direct health concern. Acidic water is the bigger worry, because it can dissolve copper and lead from pipes, and those metals may affect health. Very alkaline water tends to cause scale and a bitter taste. There is no strong evidence that alkaline water is better for you.
Below 6.5 is generally considered too low and above 8.5 too high, based on the EPA's recommended range. These are secondary standards for taste and plumbing rather than health limits. Very high pH can also make chlorine disinfection less effective, and very low pH speeds up corrosion, so either extreme is worth correcting once you know your number.
Acidic water has a pH below 7, and alkaline water has a pH above 7. Acidic water carries more hydrogen ions, tastes sour or metallic, and tends to corrode pipes. Alkaline water carries more hydroxide ions, can taste bitter, and tends to leave mineral scale. Bottled alkaline water sold in stores often sits around pH 8 to 9.5, above the EPA's recommended range.
Treatment options exist for raising pH, and the right one depends on how acidic your water is and on its hardness. Some approaches can raise hardness slightly, so a follow-up test after installation helps confirm your pH landed in the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Our free consultation helps you decide on the appropriate filtration approach for your result.
High pH is less common in home water and is often left alone unless it causes scale or taste problems. When treatment is needed, options exist, and our free consultation helps you decide on the appropriate filtration approach. Because adjusting pH affects other parts of your water chemistry, reviewing your result with a professional first is a good idea.
Yes. A pH of 8.5 sits at the top of the EPA's recommended range and is not considered a health concern. You may notice a slightly bitter or slippery taste and some scale on fixtures. If your water runs higher than 8.5, it is worth checking alkalinity and hardness too, since those often rise together.
It can. Well water pH may shift with the seasons, heavy rain, drought, or changes in how much the well is pumped. Shallow wells tend to swing more than deep ones, since rain and snowmelt reach them faster. Treatment equipment can also drift as its media wears down. A periodic check, plus one after installing or servicing equipment, helps you catch a slide toward corrosive water before it shows up as leaks or stains.
Yes, slightly. Boiling drives dissolved carbon dioxide out of water, which usually nudges the pH up a little. The change is small and can fade as the water cools and takes in air again. Boiling will not fix acidic water in your pipes, since the corrosion happens before the water ever reaches the pot. If your pH is low, our free consultation helps you decide on the appropriate filtration approach for your plumbing and fixtures.
No shared results. Our laboratory holds our clients privacy to the highest regard, your results and information will never be shared. Be aware that state certified laboratories may be required to report your results to various government agencies.