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Test Your Water
What's In Your Water?
Private well water may appear clear, but it may contain varying levels of contaminants such as lime (hardness), dissolved iron, manganese, heavy metals, color, odors, grit, silt, turbidity and bacteria. A simple water test may reveal harmful contaminants that are invisible, odorless, tasteless and undetected. Some contaminants cause immediate illness, while others can create serious long-term health problems. Contaminants seep into groundwater and can affect your drinking supply and this can change without your awareness. The EPA recommends annual testing for private wells and drinking water sources and before you put a new well in service. Protect yourself and your family by testing your water at the point of use.
It is essential to have your well water tested before choosing a filtration system. Never assume a standard water softener or filter can be used on well water, seek advice. Almost all water problems can be corrected using a selection of properly specified equipment after full chemical and bacterial water testing.
Click here for chart details.
Effective treatment for your home or business begins with a water test.
Health Risks Related to Water Contaminants
Note: Consult your physician for any medical concerns you might have regarding water contaminants. Good Water Company does not provide advice on health issues.
Links to sites which may provide useful health information:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Health Effects of Contaminants in Drinking Water
Centers for Disease Control and Protection
Drinking Water Bureau, New Mexico Environment Department

Private well water may appear clear, but it may contain varying levels of contaminants such as lime (hardness), dissolved iron, manganese, heavy metals, color, odors, grit, silt, turbidity and bacteria. A simple water test may reveal harmful contaminants that are invisible, odorless, tasteless and undetected. Some contaminants cause immediate illness, while others can create serious long-term health problems. Contaminants seep into groundwater and can affect your drinking supply and this can change without your awareness. The EPA recommends annual testing for private wells and drinking water sources and before you put a new well in service. Protect yourself and your family by testing your water at the point of use.
It is essential to have your well water tested before choosing a filtration system. Never assume a standard water softener or filter can be used on well water, seek advice. Almost all water problems can be corrected using a selection of properly specified equipment after full chemical and bacterial water testing.
Click here for chart details.

Health Risks Related to Water Contaminants
- Many homeowners assume that their water is safe and avoid testing for harmful contaminants. It's the "what you don't know won't hurt you" syndrome.
- You should know what's in your water and whether treatment is appropriate for you. Almost all water problems can be treated.
- Some contaminants have annoying aesthetic effects.
- Some contaminants pose significant health risks.
Note: Consult your physician for any medical concerns you might have regarding water contaminants. Good Water Company does not provide advice on health issues.
Links to sites which may provide useful health information:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Health Effects of Contaminants in Drinking Water
Centers for Disease Control and Protection
Drinking Water Bureau, New Mexico Environment Department
Links to Water Contaminants
Standard Plate Count (Heterotrophic Plate Count)
www.epa.gov/region09/lab/sops/sop1108.html
Coliform Bacteria
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/hfacts.html#Microbiological
E. coli
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/ecoli.html
Arsenic
www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/index.html
Calcium
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/calcium-and-water.htm
Chromium
www.epa.gov/OGWDW/contaminants/dw_contamfs/chromium.html
Copper
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/copper.htm
Iron and Dissolved Iron
www.epa.gov/nrmrl/wswrd/cr/corr_res_iron.html
Lead
www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html
Magnesium
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/magnesium-and-water.htm
Manganese
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg_determine1/support_cc1_magnese_dwreport.pdf
Selenium
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/selenium.html
Sodium
www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/sodium.html
Zinc
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/zinc.pdf
Alkalinity (and Corrosion)
www.water-research.net/corrosion.htm
Hardness
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/1683274HARDNESS.PDF
pH
www.watersystemscouncil.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/3531585PH.PDF
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/2010920TDS_FINAL.pdf
Chloride
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/2010920TDS_FINAL.pdf
Fluoride
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/fluoride.pdf
Nitrate/Nitrite
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/nitrates.html
Silica
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/silicon-and-water.htm
Sulfate
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/sulfate.pdf
Trihalomethanes (Disinfection Byproducts) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/hfacts.html#Disinfection
www.epa.gov/region09/lab/sops/sop1108.html
Coliform Bacteria
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/hfacts.html#Microbiological
E. coli
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/ecoli.html
Arsenic
www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/index.html
Calcium
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/calcium-and-water.htm
Chromium
www.epa.gov/OGWDW/contaminants/dw_contamfs/chromium.html
Copper
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/copper.htm
Iron and Dissolved Iron
www.epa.gov/nrmrl/wswrd/cr/corr_res_iron.html
Lead
www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/index.html
Magnesium
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/magnesium-and-water.htm
Manganese
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg_determine1/support_cc1_magnese_dwreport.pdf
Selenium
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/selenium.html
Sodium
www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/sodium.html
Zinc
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/zinc.pdf
Alkalinity (and Corrosion)
www.water-research.net/corrosion.htm
Hardness
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/1683274HARDNESS.PDF
pH
www.watersystemscouncil.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/3531585PH.PDF
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/2010920TDS_FINAL.pdf
Chloride
www.wellcarehotline.org/VAiWebDocs/WSCDocs/2010920TDS_FINAL.pdf
Fluoride
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/fluoride.pdf
Nitrate/Nitrite
www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/nitrates.html
Silica
www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/silicon-and-water.htm
Sulfate
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/sulfate.pdf
Trihalomethanes (Disinfection Byproducts) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/hfacts.html#Disinfection

