Test Your Well: Protect Your Family's Water
A copy of Test Your Well: Protect Your Family's Water in English and Spanish is available in PDF.
Regularly Test Your Water
Testing your drinking water is the only way to make sure that your water remains suitable for household uses. Test your water at the tap at least once a year for bacteria and every 3-5 years for the other contaminants listed to the right. The best time to test your water is in the late spring or early summer. Your lab will provide instructions and bottles. Find a certified lab. Contact your health department for advice.
Testing Schedule
| Test For | Why | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| E. coli & coliform bacteria | indicate fecal contamination that can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting | Each year |
| Lead | harmful to many organs and systems in the body and most harmful to developing babies and young children | Every 3-5 years |
| Nitrate & Nitrite | most harmful to babies; associated with infant blood problems | Every 3-5 years |
| Arsenic | long-term exposure is associated with nerve and liver damage, cancer, high blood pressure and damage to blood vessels of the heart and brain | Every 3-5 years |
| Sodium | concern for individuals on restricted sodium diets due to high blood pressure or other medical issues | Every 3-5 years |
| Iron & Manganese | cause rust or black staining of fixtures or clothes | Every 3-5 years |
| Turbidity | (cloudy water) interferes with chlorine and UV-light disinfection | Every 3-5 years |
| pH | causes lead and copper pipe corrosion and metallic-bitter taste | Every 3-5 years |
| Hardness | causes mineral and soap deposits on fixtures; reduces detergent efficiency | Every 3-5 years |
| Alkalinity | interferes with chlorine disinfection and causes metallic-bitter taste | Every 3-5 years |
Also Consider Testing If ...
- You notice changes in how your water looks, smells or tastes.
- There are changes in your household/family, such as pregnancy, new babies or changes in someone’s overall health.
- You or your health care provider suspect your drinking water could be causing symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting
- You have made repairs to your well, pipes or home structure or have changed your drinking water system.
- You notice changes in land use, such as construction or farming, that could cause runoff to enter your well.
- You have concerns about local contaminants, such as radon or those from nearby industrial or waste sites.
- Your well was recently flooded or damaged by extreme weather.
- The well runs dry or the amount of water flowing from your fixtures changes.
Inspect & Maintain Your Well and Water System
Have a DEC registered well contractor inspect your well at least once a year to stay ahead of maintenance issues. Regular inspections help prevent contaminants from getting into your tap water from a poorly maintained well.
Use the Well Maintenance diagram to keep an eye out for problems. If you suspect issues and need help, contact a professional. Stop using your tap water for drinking, preparing food and making ice, and switch to bottled until your water is tested and the problem is addressed.
Inspect & Pump Out Your Septic System
Have a DEC-permitted waste transporter inspect and pump out your septic system every 2 to 3 years to avoid potential well contamination from a failing septic system. Learn more at Septic System Operation and Maintenance.
Maintain Water Treatment Equipment
If you have water treatment systems, follow manufacturer recommendations for maintenance and testing and work with a water treatment professional to develop a plan to evaluate and maintain you system. Systems that are not regularly maintained can result in failure of water treatment and loss of water pressure.
Avoid Electric Shock Risk: Before Making Any Repairs
- Shut off power to the pump and water system.
- Examine for broken wire insulation or missing wire nuts and repair as necessary.
- Wear waterproof, rubber soled shoes or boots.
