Well Water Testing Kits

Once a year at minimum. Private wells are unregulated, so there is no utility testing on your behalf. Also test any time your well has been flooded, work has been done on the well or nearby plumbing, a septic system within 50 feet has been serviced, or your water changes in any way. 

See: Why You Should Test After Flooding and Why You Should Test After Nearby Construction.

For city water customers we recommend our Premium Water Test as the most practical and comprehensive starting point. Here is what it covers and why it matters for municipal water specifically:

Lead and heavy metals are a serious concern in older homes and neighborhoods where service lines and household plumbing may contain lead, copper, or other metals that leach into the water supply. If your home was built before 1986 this is especially important to test for.

Trihalomethanes and disinfection byproducts form when the chlorine used to treat municipal water reacts with naturally occurring organic matter. These compounds have been linked to increased cancer risk with long term exposure. Knowing whether they are present in your water at significant levels helps you determine whether a carbon filtration system is advisable for your home.

Hard water is common in many municipal supplies and causes white mineral buildup on fixtures and appliances, reduces soap lathering, and shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Our Premium Water Test includes a full mineral and hardness panel so you know exactly what you are dealing with.

Bacteria and microbial content are something many water testing companies skip entirely when testing city water, assuming treatment makes it unnecessary. We disagree. Given the scale of infrastructure leakage nationally, and the fact that household plumbing systems can harbor bacteria independently of the municipal supply, we believe coliform and E. coli testing is important for city water customers too. Peace of mind should not come with exceptions.

Yes. The contaminants most commonly found in private wells, including arsenic, lead, nitrates, radon, and bacteria, are all undetectable by taste, smell, or appearance. A well water test is the only way to know what is actually there. 

Read more: Why Should You Test Your Well Water?

At minimum, test for bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, radon, lead, iron, manganese, and hardness. If your property is near agricultural land, industrial sites, or a gas station, add a VOC panel. Our Contaminant Glossary explains what each substance is and why it matters. Our experts can also help you choose the right well water test kit before you order. 

Read more: Why Annual Well Water Testing Is Crucial.

Disinfection is particularly important after any work has been done on your well, after flooding or heavy rain events, after a new well is drilled, or any time your water test results show elevated bacteria levels. Our Well Disinfection Kit is a do-it-yourself solution that includes clear instructions, a USDA-approved disinfectant, and exclusive to ETR Laboratories, a follow-up test kit to verify the disinfection was successful. If you are unsure whether your well needs disinfection, give us a call and we can help you assess your situation.

Start with the Premium Water Test, which covers 113 substances including bacteria, lead, arsenic, radon, and VOCs. Many mortgage lenders require a well water test result before approving a home loan on a property with a private well. For full due diligence, the Ultimate Water Test covers 249 substances. We also offer Real Estate Transaction Testing built specifically for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.

A sulfur smell in well water almost always points to bacteria or naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide in the aquifer or well system. If the smell is strongest from hot water, bacteria may be growing in your water heater. Our Basic Water Test includes bacteria screening as standard. 

Read more: How Bacteria Get into Your Well.

Yes. Testing before installation confirms the filter is actually designed for the contaminants present in your well. Testing after confirms it is working as intended. The Premium Water Test works well for both.

Not in our standard panels. PFAS requires a separate analytical method. Private wells near military bases, landfills, industrial sites, and firefighting training areas are at elevated risk. Our PFAS "Forever Chemical" Drinking Water Test screens for 18 compounds and pairs well with any annual well water test kit.

Call us. Every order includes a free consultation with one of our in-house water quality experts, people with real field and laboratory experience specific to private wells. We explain your results in plain language and tell you what steps are actually necessary. We do not sell filtration products, so there is no agenda. Our Well and City Water FAQ and Well Maintenance and Care Guide also cover the most common scenarios. 

See also: 5 Steps to Protect Your Well from Outside Contamination.