What Water Filter Do I Need?

If you have a private well, testing is your responsibility and should be carried out at least once per year. Most certified laboratories or the at-home test kits offer testing specifically for wells. 

A basic well water test should cover:

1. Coliform Bacteria - Detects harmful bacteria that indicate the presence of pathogens.
2. Nitrates/Nitrites - High levels can be harmful, especially to infants and pregnant women.
3. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) - Measures the concentration of combined organic and inorganic substances.
4. pH Level- Indicates acidity or alkalinity, which can affect plumbing and water quality.
5. Hardness: Measures calcium and magnesium levels, which affect water quality and appliance efficiency.

Additional well water testing is recommended based on location and risk factors

1. Arsenic: Common in some geological areas, toxic at high levels.
2. Lead: Can leach from plumbing, especially in older homes.
3. Fluoride: Naturally occurring, but high levels can cause health issues.
4. Radon: A radioactive gas that can dissolve into well water, posing health risks.
5. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Includes industrial chemicals and solvents that may contaminate water.
6. Pesticides: Runoff from agricultural areas can contaminate well water.
7. Heavy Metals (Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc): Can affect water taste, color, and safety.
8. Sulphates: High levels can cause a laxative effect and affect water taste.
9. Tannins: Indicates organic matter, affects water color and taste.

Testing Methods

1. The most reliable option is Certified Laboratory Testing. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a list of certified laboratories by state, with contact information.
2. Home testing kits for basic water testing are easily purchased online or at home improvement stores. Just ensure the test is qualified and processed by a certified lab. If you have serious concerns about your water, opt for a professional test.

If you get water from a city or municipal source, check the annual water quality report provided by your water supplier, and consider additional testing if you have concerns. The EPA sets water-testing schedules, and most community water systems test annually. Keep in mind that just because the water passes legal requirements, it does not mean it’s entirely safe and only reflects the quality at the time of the sample. Legal ≠ safe.

A basic water test should cover:

1. Hardness, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, iron, and manganese.
2. Microbial contaminants such as Coliform bacteria and E. coli.
3. Chemical contaminants such as lead, arsenic, nitrate, nitrite, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

There might be additional testing you should consider based on your local environmental conditions. For example, radon, tannins, or specific minerals. 

Testing Methods

1. The most reliable option is Certified Laboratory Testing. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a list of certified laboratories by state, with contact information.
2. Home testing kits for basic water testing are easily purchased online or at home improvement stores. Just ensure the test is qualified and processed by a certified lab. If you have serious concerns about your water, opt for a professional test.

Whether using a lab service or a home kit, carefully follow the instructions provided for sample collection to avoid contamination. Collect samples at a time that reflects regular water use, and avoid collecting samples after a long period of inactivity in your plumbing.

Follow the instructions for submitting your sample. This may involve mailing the sample or delivering it in person.

A water test is useful to help determine the health and safety of a water supply, and the performance of a water treatment system (if you have one). There are different types of water tests:

1. Basic Parameters: Hardness, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, iron, and manganese.
2. Microbial Contaminants: Coliform bacteria, E. coli.
3. Chemical Contaminants: Lead, arsenic, nitrate, nitrite, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
4. Special Concerns: Radon, tannins, specific minerals based on local environmental conditions.

Your best bet for reading your water test results: send them to us to evaluate! We offer a free analysis of your water test results to check it over and make equipment recommendations to take care of any water issues.

Most water tests usually present the results as concentration in sample, measured either in parts per million (ppm) or milligram per liter (mg/l). One ppm is equal to 1 mg/l. A decent water test will note the concentration in sample alongside the EPA maximum level (the EPA sets guidelines for many common parameters, although keep in mind that legal ≠ safe). Look for any parameters in which the concentration is medium to high, or exceeds the EPA maximum levels. This will provide insight into selecting a water filter that will tackle this issue.

For parameters that indicate some concentration but there are no set guidelines, interpreting your results may not be as straightforward and will require some research as to what you consider safe.