This test is a primary indicator of potability & sanitary conditions of a water supply. Homeowners are highly encouraged to routinely perform this test on private water systems annually. Maximum Acceptable Concentration for Drinking Water = none detectable per 100 mL. The US Environmental protection Agency (EPA) designates Total Coliform testing as a standard test for determining the bacterial safety of drinking water. The EPA also suggests that people who drink from private water supplies, such as wells, test for bacteria (as well as nitrates) annually (see http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/well/faq.cfm).

The EPA has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of nitrate as nitrogen (NO3-N) at 10 mg/L (or 10 parts per million) for the safety of drinking water. Nitrates are readily found in several types of food as well as fertilizers, animal waste, human sewage, septic systems, flooded sewer's, agricultural runoff, and decaying plants. Elevated levels may serve as an indicator of other potential contaminants, such as pesticides or chemicals associated with septic system effluent.

Measures the relative acidity of the water. The pH level of the water can change how your water looks and tastes. If the pH of your water is too low or too high, it could damage your pipes, cause heavy metals like lead to leak out of the pipes into the water, and eventually make you sick.

Amount of bicarbonate, the major anion in water, as related to pH and corrosion..

Is the measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium. This is important if water softening is considered.

An indicator ion that, if found in elevated concentrations, points to potential contamination from septic systems, fertilizer, landfills, or road salt.

An indicator ion that, if found in elevated concentrations, points to potential contamination from septic systems, fertilizer, landfills, or road salt.

It is the measure of the total dissolved minerals in water. Change in conductivity or unusual ratio of conductivity to hardness may signal the presence of contaminants.

A calculation of the corrosivity index is performed to determine the tendency for plumbing to corrode or for lime to deposit in your plumbing.

The safe drinking water standard for arsenic in drinking water is 0.010 mg/L. Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks and soils and is also widely used the agricultural industry. When groundwater levels drop significantly arsenic can dissolve out of rock formations. In rare cases, past pesticide use practices (especially those associated with cherry orchards) or improper disposal of arsenic containing chemicals may also be potential sources.

Naturally occurs in groundwater where soils or underground rock formations contain limestone or dolomite. Essential to bone and tooth development, blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and may reduce heart disease. Calcium along with magnesium causes hard water.

Levels above 1.3 mg/L exceed the safe drinking water standard. All living organisms including humans need copper to survive; therefore, small amounts of copper aid in iron utilization in the body. Copper can get into drinking water either by directly contaminating well water or through corrosion of copper pipes if your water is acidic. Corrosion of pipes is by far the greatest cause for concern.

Is a naturally occurring mineral which causes taste problems and discoloration of water. Iron is an important component of blood hemoglobin.

Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and plumbing in buildings and homes.

It can naturally occur in groundwater, along with calcium. Magnesium causes hard water.

It is naturally occurring in some groundwater. Elevated levels of manganese in groundwater can result in aesthetic problems. Black precipitates (specks or staining) are often a result of manganese. There is a health advisory limit of 0.300 mg/L of manganese in drinking water. Problematic levels of manganese and iron are sometimes found together since both are associated with low levels of oxygen in groundwater

Levels greater than 10 mg/L may indicate contamination from animal waste or may come from water softeners that use potassium chloride.

Water supplies that are softened will contain elevated levels of sodium if sodium chloride is used as the softener salt. Elevated levels in groundwater may be the result of road salt or septic system effluent.

It is naturally occurring in some groundwater. Concentrations above 250 mg/L may cause a laxative effect, especially in people not accustomed to drinking the water. Sulfate is not the same as hydrogen sulfide which causes the rotten egg odor, although both contain the element sulfur.

VOCs are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural applications, and septic systems.