Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is well water safe to drink?
Yes. Water from a private well can be just as safe, if not safer, than municipal water. However, regular testing is needed to ensure a continued supply of clean, safe water.
Q. How can I tell if my well water is safe?
While some contaminants will change the appearance or taste of the water, others cannot be seen, smelled, or even tasted. The only sure way to know is to have your water tested.
Q. Can I test my water at home?
While do-it-yourself test kits are available on the market, these tests are never as accurate as those performed by a state-certified lab. Safe water shouldn’t be a guessing game. To know what’s in your water for sure, utilize the services of a certified lab.
Q. How often should I have my well tested?
Many state and federal authorities recommend having your water tested annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates. Other contaminants should be tested for at least once every five to ten years.
Q. How long will it take to get the results?
Some laboratories may take as long as two weeks to return your results. For typical results, Clean Water Testing will usually return your results within three to five business days.
Q. How much will a water test cost me?
Costs can vary depending on the number and type of tests you request. Typical tests range from $25-$400.
Q. What is causing my water sample to come back as ‘unsafe’?
There is a wide variety of reasons that could cause water contamination. Please look through our list of possible sources. Why is my water sample unsafe?
Q. Can I clean my well myself?
Click here to view Well Cleaning Instructions.
Well & Septic FAQs.
Q. Do I need to be there for the inspection?
We strongly encourage you to be there for the entire inspection, especially if you are a first time well or septic owner. Your inspector prefers that you tag along and will inform you of the operation, care and maintenance of your well and septic system. We hope you have lots of questions.
Q. Do you have to enter the house for an inspection?
Yes, we need access to the house, inside and out. If the well is shared we may also have to enter the neighbors house to examine the pump controls. We also need to have electricity and running water to the house.
Q. How long does the inspection take?
A typical inspection normally takes 1 ½ to 2 hours, and we run the water for up to an hour as needed. The inspection may take longer if we have to located and excavate the septic cover or covers, and can depend on weather and snow cover.
Q. How long will it take to get my results from a well or septic inspection?
A well and/or septic inspection is slightly different from a home inspection. You will not receive your results at the time of inspection but rather 3-5 business days from the date of inspection. The fact of the matter is that our inspection is not complete once we leave the property. Additional research takes place once we get back to the office which may include; locating the well construction report, and researching the well code that was in place at the time the well was constructed. In addition, the water sample is analyzed in our state certified lab as there is not an accurate field test for the health and safety parameters usually needed for a real estate transaction.
Q. Do I need to have the septic system pumped prior to the inspection?
If you have a holding talk (a septic system that does not have a drain field) then the answer is YES. If you have a conventional, mound, at-grade, or any other type of system that has a drain field the answer is NO.
Q. Why don’t you want the septic tank pumped prior to the inspection?
When a septic tank has been pumped, you can see if there are any gaping holes in the tank and that is about it. The walls are usually coated with a black slime below the water level, making it almost impossible to see a crack unless it is very large. If the tank has been pumped it is not possible to test the functionality of the drain field or mound. Therefore we have developed methods, which have proven to be successful for over 30 years, to exam the tank without it being pumped.
