Water Testing For Private Wells

You should test the water quality if the house has a private well

Water quality is a concern for many reasons:

• The health of family, bathing and consuming contaminated water can cause serious health problems.
• When purchasing a house with a private well, you should also be concerned about its physical condition. A well could become contaminated if it is defective. The water might not be contaminated, it could be the well itself. Depending on the problem that exists, repair or replace could cost $5,000.00 to $20,000.00.
• The lending institution may require a water test prior to a loan approval.
• If you are purchasing a home or have lived in a home with a well for a long period of time, you should have it tested for the most common contaminates: bacteria, nitrates, nitrites and lead. Almost all leading orginizations recommend an annual test of private wells.

Convential Financing

A basic water test includes testing for bacteria and nitrates/nitrite chemical contamination.

VA/FHA Financing

VA/FHA and some state housing finance programs require more extensive water testing, including bacteria, nitrite/nitrate chemical contamination, turbity (clarity), iron, lead, chlorine and pH.

Property Owners

EPA and other states recommend annual water testing for nitrite/nitrate and bacteria contamination. Once every three years test for sulfate, chloride, iron, manganese, lead, hardness and corrosion index.