Private Well Testing
We’re here to help you meet your VA, USDA, and FHA loan requirements.
Technician Collections
- USDA, FHA, and VA loans require that private wells be sampled by a 3rd party.
- Our technician services are by appointment. Just fill out the contact form with your information to learn more or get a quote.
- Our laboratory is certified with the state of North Carolina.
Collect Your Own Sample
- Pick up a kit at our office, Monday-Friday
- Follow our instructions, it’s in the kit
- Return the samples to our office Monday-Thursday
- Bacteria need to be received within 24 hours of collection
- All other samples need to be received within 48 hours of collection
Bacteria: E. coli and Total Coliform
- Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present.
- E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems
Lead
- The allowable limit for lead is 15 ppb
- Lead contamination in water is typically caused by corrosion of household plumbing and erosion of natural deposits
- Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development.
- Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities.
- Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Nitrates and Nitrites
- Infants below the age of 6 months who drink water containing nitrate/nitrite in excess of the maximum contaminant level could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome
- The maximum contaminant level for nitrites in drinking water is 1 mg/L
- The maximum contaminant level for nitrates in drinking water is 10 mg/L
- Homes with infants and children should consult their doctor about water containing nitrates and nitrites
Hardness, total carbonate
- Today, hardness is defined as sum of calcium and magnesium concentrations which is expressed as calcium carbonate in milligrams per liter. High levels of magnesium and calcium can build up in home plumbing and reduce flow as well as damage water-using appliances over time.
- 0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft;
- 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard
- 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; and more than 180 mg/L as very hard.
Iron, total
- Iron does not pose any immediate health concerns. The EPA has set for a secondary contaminant maximum level list that indicates iron should not exceed 0.3 mg/L. In cases where iron exceeds this limit, the water aesthetic will be greatly compromised. The water may have a rusty color, sediment, metallic taste, reddish or orange staining.
Copper, dissolved
- 1.3 mg/L Cu is the allowable limit of copper in drinking water
- Copper in drinking water can be caused by corrosion in copper plumbing systems, or erosion of natural deposits
- Short term copper exposure above the allowable limit can cause gastrointestinal distress
- Long term copper exposure above the allowable limit can cause kidney and liver damage
