How to Test Well Water

October 14, 2024

If your water supply comes from a well, you may be wondering how to determine its purity and safety. Well water is not protected by EPA rules that monitor public drinking water, so it is the responsibility of private water system owners to make sure that water is safe to drink.

Protect your health and home with this comprehensive well water testing guide from S & L Water Solutions.

Testing for Dissolved Solids

Dissolved solids in water are difficult to detect. Even though you can't see contaminants, you don't need a water testing kit to determine if your water contains impurities.

The boiling method is the best at-home method for discovering dissolved solids.

1. Wash and dry a small pot thoroughly.
2. In the pot, add a cup of water.
3. Bring the water to a boil. (Do not put a lid on the pot).
4. When most of the water has evaporated, turn off the heat.
5. Allow the pot to cool completely.

After the pot has cooled, run your fingers along the bottom. A gritty, sticky, or chalky residue means your water supply contains dissolved solids.

Particle Testing Without a Kit

Particulate matter in water that's too small to see with the naked eye can be detected with a magnifying glass test.

1. Thoroughly wash and dry a drinking glass or small glass bowl.
2. Fill the container with water.
3. Place the container of water in bright light.
4. Use a magnifying glass to examine the water.

Floating particles, cloudiness, or foam that lasts more than a few minutes may signify water contamination.

Relying on Your Senses

Three crucial qualitative characteristics of water are its odor, color, and taste. Evaluate your tap water against one of the purest water products on the market -- bottled, distilled water. Compare each metric of your tap water to those you observe in the distilled water.

If your home drinking water has an off smell, color, or taste, it might be contaminated.

Testing Hardness at Home

Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium solids. It can be the cause of:

• Low soap sudsing
• Low water pressure
• Soap-scum residue in shower and sinks
• Chalky stains on dishes, countertops, and plumbing fixtures
• A dry, chalky feeling when you wash your hands or body or when you do the dishes

To test the hardness of your home water without a testing kit:

1. Dispense tap water into a large spoon.
2. Lay the spoon on the countertop, and do not disturb it for 24 to 48 hours.
3. When the water has totally evaporated, inspect the spoon.

A sticky residue or white spots on the surface of the spoon might mean the water is hard.

Why Well Water Testing is Important

Dissolved solids, minerals, odors, discolorations, and hard water are just a few of the problems homeowners might experience with well water. To maintain a safe and reliable water source, it is important to test your private well's water on a regular basis. S & L Water Solutions can test your home well water and recommend solutions to make your water safe.

Our certified water tests include:

• Basic water potability
• Sulfate bacteria/iron bacteria
• Coliform bacteria
• Ions
• Nitrate
• Sulfate
• Total dissolved solids

Additional testing is available based on need.

Well Water Testing at Home

Your family's health depends upon quality water. The team at S & L Water Solutions is made up of certified Water Samplers who know how to test and what to test for. We have a range of water products and services to make your home or business's water refreshing and clean.

Call us today at (240) 313-9190 to set up a water analysis and get on the path to clean, healthy water. We pick up the phone no matter what.




Featured Image: Yuri A/ Shutterstock