Private Well Inspections

The general recommendation from the EPA and most health agencies is to test your well water at least once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and any contaminants relevant to your local area. However, certain circumstances call for more frequent testing. If you notice changes in your water's taste, odor, or appearance, test immediately. You should also test after flooding, after nearby land use changes (such as new construction, agricultural activity, or industrial development), after repairing or replacing any part of your well system, or if anyone in your household becomes ill with gastrointestinal symptoms that could be water-related. Homes with infants, pregnant women, elderly residents, or immunocompromised individuals should consider more frequent testing as these groups are especially vulnerable to waterborne contaminants. Radon specifically should be tested periodically, as groundwater conditions can shift over time due to geological changes or pressure fluctuations in the aquifer.

While many dangerous contaminants - including radon, arsenic, nitrates, and certain bacteria - are completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless, there are several physical warning signs worth watching for.

• Cloudy or murky water can indicate sediment, bacteria, or chemical contamination.
• A rotten egg smell typically points to hydrogen sulfide or sulfur bacteria.
• A bleach or chemical odor may suggest industrial runoff or excess chlorine.
• Yellow, brown, or orange discoloration often signals iron, manganese, or rust from pipes.
• Staining on sinks, tubs, or laundry is another red flag.
• Oily sheens on the surface of your water can indicate fuel or industrial contamination.
• A salty or metallic taste may suggest dissolved minerals, heavy metals, or road salt. infiltration. It's critically important to understand that the absence of these signs does not mean your water is safe — many of the most hazardous contaminants present no sensory warning whatsoever, which is why routine professional testing is irreplaceable.

Yes, radon in well water is a legitimate health concern and should not be dismissed. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in rock and soil, and it can dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the earth. When you use well water for showering, washing dishes, or running appliances, radon is released into the indoor air, which is actually considered the greater risk compared to ingesting it directly.

Radon inhaled over long periods is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the EPA. While drinking radon-contaminated water does carry a small risk of internal organ exposure, the airborne risk from aerosolized radon during household water use is significantly more concerning. The EPA estimates that waterborne radon contributes meaningfully to indoor radon levels, particularly in homes with private wells. If your home has tested high for airborne radon, testing your well water for radon is a logical and important next step to identify all contributing sources.

Absolutely - a new well is not a guarantee of clean water, and testing before first use is strongly advised. While a newly drilled well hasn't had years of exposure to surface runoff or aging infrastructure, it is tapping directly into a groundwater source whose quality is entirely determined by the surrounding geology and land use - factors that existed long before your well was installed. Naturally occurring contaminants like radon, arsenic, uranium, and hardness minerals can be present at significant levels in brand-new wells depending on the bedrock composition of your area.

Additionally, the drilling and construction process itself can temporarily introduce bacteria, sediment, or drilling fluids into the water. New wells should be disinfected post-installation, but disinfection doesn't address chemical or radiological contaminants. Testing your new well establishes a critical baseline - a reference point you can compare all future tests against to identify any changes over time. Think of it as the first chapter in the long-term health record of your water supply.

Even if your home sits directly next to your neighbor's, your well water can vary dramatically in composition, and this is entirely normal. Private wells draw from specific points in the aquifer, and groundwater quality is highly localized based on depth, geology, and proximity to contamination sources. Two wells drilled just a few hundred feet apart may penetrate different rock formations or tap into different layers of the aquifer, each with its own unique mineral content and potential contaminants. One well might sit in granite-heavy ground with elevated radon or arsenic levels, while another nearby taps into a sandier formation with very different chemistry.

Land use history also plays a role - proximity to old septic systems, agricultural fields, buried fuel tanks, or road salt application zones affects each well differently based on the direction of groundwater flow. Additionally, the age, depth, casing material, and construction quality of each well influences what ends up in the water. This is precisely why your neighbor's test results should never be used as a proxy for yours... Individual testing is the only reliable way to know what's actually coming out of your specific well.