How often should I test my private well water?

EPA recommends private well owners test annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH. Test more often if you've had nearby flooding, septic issues, taste/odor changes, or new construction nearby. Tests for lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals are typically run once at well commissioning and every 3-5 years after — sooner if a contamination event is suspected.

What does well water testing include?

We collect properly preserved samples from your well or tap using sealed lab-supplied containers, document chain-of-custody, and ship to an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab. The standard residential panel covers total coliform, E. coli, nitrates, hardness, and pH. Lead, arsenic, iron, manganese, and other panels are added based on what your situation calls for.

Do I need a water test for a real estate transaction?

Most lenders require a recent water test (within 60 to 90 days) for any real estate transaction on a property with a private well. We deliver real-estate-ready chain-of-custody documentation and a written report formatted for sharing with realtors, escrow, and lenders. Turnaround is fast — typically within the standard inspection contingency window.

What if my water tests positive for coliform or E. coli?

A positive coliform result means surface contamination is reaching the well — common after heavy rain or septic issues. The standard fix is to shock-chlorinate the well and retest. A positive E. coli result is more serious and typically requires investigation of the well structure and septic field. We don't perform the repair, but we can refer reputable well-services contractors and re-test after remediation.

Do you test city water too, or only private wells?

Both. Public water systems are tested at the source by the utility, but the water that reaches your tap can change due to plumbing materials (lead solder in older homes), point-of-entry filtration failures, or stagnant lines. Tap water testing is common for taste/odor changes, suspected lead exposure, or before installing whole-house filtration.

Sequim · Olympic Peninsula · Southwest WA

Well Water Testing on the Olympic Peninsula.

Independent well and tap water testing for private wells, real-estate transactions, and post-flood verification. Coliform, E. coli, nitrates, lead, arsenic, hardness, pH — whatever the situation calls for. ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab. Real-estate-ready chain-of-custody.

Book Water Testing Or call (360) 670-3367

ISO/IEC 17025 lab Real-estate ready Independent — we don’t sell filters

EPA Aligned panels

Coliform+ E. coli

Lead+ Arsenic

2-5 dayLab turnaround

What We Test For

Pick the panel that fits your situation. We’ll recommend the right combination on the phone before booking — no padding the order.

Bacteria — Coliform & E. coli

Total coliform indicates surface contamination reaching the well. E. coli specifically indicates fecal contamination — usually from septic, livestock, or wildlife. Standard on every residential well test.

Nitrates & Nitrites

Elevated nitrates point to agricultural runoff, septic field issues, or fertilizer leaching. Especially important for households with infants, pregnant women, or livestock.

Lead & Heavy Metals

Lead, arsenic, iron, manganese, copper. Lead is most common from older home plumbing; arsenic from naturally occurring deposits in PNW bedrock; iron and manganese from well casings or local geology.

Hardness & pH

Hard water (calcium and magnesium) causes scale buildup, dishwasher streaks, and reduced soap lather. pH outside the normal range indicates corrosivity or alkalinity issues that can affect plumbing and appliances.

VOCs & pesticides

Volatile organic compounds (gasoline, solvents) from underground storage tanks or industrial sites. Pesticides from agricultural neighbors. Specialized panels available for properties near known contamination concerns.

Real-estate-ready report

Written report formatted for sharing with realtors, escrow, lenders, and remediation contractors. Chain-of-custody documents included. Turnaround fits within the standard inspection contingency window.

When You Should Test Your Water

Five situations where well water testing is genuinely worth the cost — and not just a check-the-box exercise.

Buying or selling a home

Most lenders require a recent water test (within 60-90 days) for any property with a private well. Standard part of the inspection contingency on rural Peninsula properties.

Annual maintenance

EPA recommends annual coliform + nitrate + pH testing on every private well. The Peninsula’s heavy rains and high water table make annual testing especially worthwhile here.

After flooding or heavy rain

Surface contamination commonly reaches private wells after major weather events — especially shallow wells, dug wells, or wells with poor casing seals. Test as soon as the rain ends.

Taste, odor, or appearance changes

New metallic, sulfur, chlorine, or earthy tastes. Cloudy or discolored water. Visible sediment. Any sudden change is worth investigating before you assume it’s “just the season.”

New construction or repairs nearby

Drilling, blasting, or septic work on neighboring properties can disturb groundwater and contamination plumes. Re-test after major nearby work, especially if your well is shallow.

How Water Testing Works

Simple, chain-of-custody process from sample collection to written report.

Pick the panel

We confirm the right panel on the phone — basic residential, real-estate, or specialty (lead, arsenic, VOCs, etc.). Written quote before booking.

On-site sample collection

Quick visit to collect samples from the well-head, kitchen tap, or wherever the panel calls for. Sealed lab-supplied containers, chain-of-custody documented.

Lab analysis

Samples ship same-day to our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab. Most panels return in 2 to 5 business days.

Written report delivered

Plain-English report with results, EPA reference levels, and recommendations. Formatted for sharing with realtors, lenders, or filtration contractors.

Well Water Testing FAQ

Most-asked questions from Peninsula homeowners deciding whether to book.

EPA recommends private well owners test annually for total coliform, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH. Test more often after flooding, septic issues, taste changes, or new construction nearby. Lead, arsenic, and heavy-metal panels are typically run at well commissioning and every 3-5 years after.

We collect properly preserved samples using sealed lab-supplied containers, document chain-of-custody, and ship to an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab. Standard residential panel: total coliform, E. coli, nitrates, hardness, pH. Lead, arsenic, iron, manganese, and other panels added based on situation.

Most lenders require a recent water test (within 60-90 days) for any property with a private well. We deliver real-estate-ready chain-of-custody documentation. Turnaround fits within the standard inspection contingency window.

Depends on the panel. Basic residential is the most affordable. Heavy-metals panels (lead, arsenic, iron, manganese) add to the base. Written quote before booking with lab fees line-by-line. Final price never changes after the report.

A positive coliform result means surface contamination is reaching the well — common after heavy rain or septic issues. Standard fix is shock-chlorinate the well and retest. A positive E. coli is more serious and typically requires investigation of the well structure and septic field. We refer well-services contractors and re-test after remediation.

Both. Public water is tested at the source, but the water that reaches your tap can change due to plumbing materials (lead solder in older homes), filtration failures, or stagnant lines. Tap water testing is common for taste changes, suspected lead exposure, or pre-filtration baselines.