Well Water Interpreter

Private well answer guide

Well Water Test Before Buying a House: What to Include

Before buying a house with a private well, test bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, pH, hardness, iron, manganese, TDS, and local contaminants such as uranium, radon, PFAS, pesticides, or VOCs.

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What to test

  • Total coliform
  • E. coli
  • Nitrate
  • Arsenic
  • Lead
  • pH
  • Hardness
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • TDS

What to do next

  • Order a certified lab test before the inspection contingency expires.
  • Include bacteria and core chemistry, not just a basic potability screen.
  • Review nearby land use, septic distance, flooding history, and local geology.
  • Save the baseline report for future annual comparison.

Common questions

Is a bacteria test enough before buying a house?

No. Bacteria is important, but it does not check nitrate, arsenic, lead, hardness, pH, or local contaminants.

Who pays for well water testing when buying a house?

It depends on the contract and local practice. Buyers often request testing as part of inspection negotiations.

Related well water guides

Total coliform

Understand bacteria present/absent results and what they mean for private wells.

Testing after flooding

See recommended lab panels after flooding, repairs, and contamination events.

Rotten egg smell and bacteria clues

Compare odor, bacteria, and treatment clues before choosing equipment.

Keep your well history

Interpret once on the web. Track forever in the app.

Save test history, set annual reminders, compare results over time, and create a shareable report for your family or water professional.

Save this result in the iOS app