Independent guides for homes on a private well and septic system. We don't sell treatment systems or pumping services.

Well water test planner

Tick what applies to your home and get a test list you can take to a certified lab, with the reason for each test.

Interactive tool

Well water test planner

What’s going on
Near your well
Your water and plumbing

Your test list

4 tests

The yearly basics every well owner should run.

    • Also ask your state drinking water program which natural contaminants are common where you live: arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride and manganese vary with the local rock.
    • Use a state-certified lab. Your county health department may test for free or know who does.

    How this planner works

    Every list starts with the four tests EPA and CDC recommend for every private well, every year: total coliform bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids and pH12. Each box you tick adds the tests from EPA's chart of situations, such as nearby farming, mining, gas drilling or salted roads1.

    • Pregnancy or a young child adds nitrate and bacteria (CDC)2 and lead, because EPA says young children, infants and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to it3.
    • Septic systems near the well add bacteria and nitrate, the same combination as Penn State's “Agriculture/Septic” test package4.
    • “Test now” marks situations where EPA or CDC say to test right away rather than at the next routine test.

    What it can't know

    Natural contaminants such as arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride and manganese depend on the local rock. CDC advises asking your health department what else to test for where you live2, and that's the best next step after this list.

    Full guide Well water testing: what to test for, how often, and what it costs

    Sources

    We opened every source below and checked that it says what we cite it for. Numbers in the text, like 1, point to this list.

    1. 1
      Protect Your Home's Water

      US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) · Updated Feb 26, 2026 · checked Oct 8, 2026

    2. 2
      Guidelines for Testing Well Water

      US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Jul 1, 2024 · checked Oct 8, 2026

    3. 3
      Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water

      US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) · Updated Jun 18, 2026 · checked Oct 8, 2026

    4. 4
      Drinking Water Testing

      Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory · checked Oct 8, 2026