How Often and When Should You Test Your Home’s Water?

The United States enjoys one of the world’s most reliable and safest supplies of drinking water.  Approximately 150,000 public water systems provide drinking water to most Americans.  Those on public water systems have their water monitored regularly to prevent any contamination of the water supply. 

If You Get Your Water from a Well

For the 10 percent of people in the United States who get their water from private wells, many of them in rural areas in Indiana, they need to take precautions to ensure their drinking water is safe.  Private wells are not regulated, so the responsibility for checking the quality of the water falls on the homeowner.

How to Test Your Well

Test your private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect the presence of other contaminants, you should test for those also. You can also contact your local health department to find out what substances may be common in your area’s groundwater.

You may want to test more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in your house or if someone in your house is pregnant or nursing. These segments of the population are often more vulnerable to pollutants than others.

You should also test your private well immediately if:

• There are known problems with ground water or drinking water in your area
• Conditions near your well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity)
• You replace or repair any part of your well system.
• You notice a change in your water quality (i.e. odor, color, taste).

Also Check Ground Water

Well owners should also determine if the ground water relied on for household use is under direct influence from any surface water. Surface water can be susceptible to contamination from activities it is exposed to and can lead to the contamination of your home’s water supply.

Need Help?

If you need help testing your water supply, Brenneco Plumbing will test your water at no charge. If a major issue is uncovered Brenneco Plumbing will direct you to your local health department. Additional information can be found at https://www.in.gov/health/eph/water-supply-information/.