Water Quality and Testing

According to the EPA, actual events of drinking water contamination are rare, and typically do not occur at levels likely to pose health concerns. However, drinking water can get contaminated from naturally occurring sources in the environment or through human and animal activities. Some possible sources of contamination include:

• septic systems,
• underground fuel tanks,
• landfills,
• industrial spills or discharges,
• animal wastes, fertilizers, and pesticides, and
• prolonged periods of heavy rain.

Who Should I Get to Test My Water?

We recommend using a lab that has been certified by the MD Department of the Environment (MDE) to provide water tests. MDE updates their list of certified labs every year. We have pulled out the labs that provide testing services for private well owners, which you can access here.

What Should I Test For? 

If you have not tested your water in several years, we recommend getting a comprehensive test that includes the following contaminants (* indicates those that are of particular concern for pregnant women, infants, and young children):

• Total Coliform Bacteria*
• Nitrate*
• pH*
• Lead*
• Copper*
• Sulfates
• Total Dissolved Solids

You should also contact your county well permitting office to check for any additional contaminants that may be of local concern. Once you have tested your water, you should continue with routine tests as follows.

How Often Should I Test?

ANNUALLY: Test for coliform bacteria and nitrates. 

EVERY 3 YEARS: Test for pH, Total Dissolved Solids, and Sulfates.

You should also test your water if:

• You have a pregnant woman or infant residing in the home,
• Your family or guests experience unexplained or recurring gastrointestinal illness,
• Your neighbors find a dangerous contaminant in their water,
• Your suddenly changes in taste, odor, color, or clarity,
• There is a chemical or fuel spill into or near your well, or
• When the well system has been repaired or parts have been replaced.

Once you receive your results from a water testing laboratory, simply enter those values into the appropiate boxes on the website below to get an interpretation of your results.

• Drinking Water Interpretation Tool

Want to Know More About the Contaminants?