What Are the Guidelines for Testing Your Private Well Water?

Water is all around us. We bathe in it, cook with it, and drink it daily. The only way to ensure all this water is clean and safe is to have it tested.

And if you’ve already tested your private well and installed a water treatment system?

Test it again.

Water Testing Guidelines for Your Private Well

Even if you have a home water treatment system, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends you test your drinking water at least once a year.

Three good reasons to test your water every year:

1. Ground water can change over time. Make sure you’re removing any bacteria or other contaminants that enter your private well.
2. Annual testing ensures your water treatment system is working properly.
3. Regular testing establishes a record of your water quality. If nearby construction, land development, commercial manufacturing, or other activity negatively impacts your water quality, this historical data may help you in your efforts to restore it.

Clear, good-tasting water isn’t necessarily safe water. The only way to know for sure is to have your private well regularly tested.

In certain instances, it is advisable to test your water more frequently.

Test your drinking water twice a year if:

• You notice an odor or change in taste or appearance
• It stains clothes and household surfaces
• An infant or newly pregnant person resides in your home

Test your drinking water if any of the following occurs:

• The land near your home has been displaced or reconfigured by well drilling, extensive yard work, or construction projects involving large equipment or trucks
• The activities of a neighbor or nearby business involve chemicals or petroleum products
• A natural disaster (such as floods or earthquakes)
• A chemical spill or leak on or around your property
• Your septic system malfunctions
• Ongoing gastrointestinal illnesses among the residents in your home

What if you have city water?

All public water systems must comply with federal water safety standards. To learn more about the quality of your local water supply, request a Consumer Confidence Report from your city’s water department.

Should you identify any contaminants that are affecting the quality or safety of your water, contact the certified water specialists at Secondwind to learn what your treatment options are.

Residential Water Testing and Treatment in NH

If you live in New Hampshire, you can’t take the safety of your drinking water for granted. Much of our state’s water contains arsenic, uranium, radon, and bacteria. These and other common contaminants affect both the safety and quality of your drinking water.

If you own a private well, the only way to protect your family is to test your drinking water at least once a year. If it’s been a while since your last water analysis, contact the certified water specialists at Secondwind Water Systems.