Generally, water testing is recommended for properties with well water. However, the decision to have the water tested can include many factors. For peace of mind, it's not a bad idea to know the chemistry of the water you and your family consume on a daily basis.
Alkalinity, Ammonia, Arsenic, Calcium, Chloride, Chlorine, Color, Conductivity, Copper, E-Coli Bacteria, Fluoride, Hardness, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Nitrates, Nitrites, Odor, pH, Potassium, Sediment, Sodium, Sulfates, Total Coliform Bacteria, Turbidity
Testing samples are usually taken from a household tap. The test results are delivered in 5-7 business days. This testing is available with the home inspection or as a stand-alone service.
Water quantity testing is only offered with the home inspection and not as a stand- alone service. Quantity testing (flow testing) can be done upon request for any client. It must be scheduled before the date of the inspection, since it takes between 3-4 hours to complete and includes the 3-4 hour flow test to insure the well is in perfect working order and that the flow is acceptable for your particular application.
One of the most important factors to consider when planning to purchase or build a home is the adequacy of the water supply. The amount of water available to the home can be equally as important as the quality of the water. The question of how much water is adequate for a private domestic supply is a commonly asked question.
Available water supply is a function of both the recovery rate and the storage volume of the well. These two factors contribute to the actual capacity of the supply particularly if the well recovery rate is low. A standard 6-inch diameter drilled well can store 1½ gallons of water per foot of well depth. The actual volume of water in storage will depend on the water level in the well and the pump setting depth.
We recommend that a minimum water supply capacity for domestic internal household use should be capable of supplying at least 1200 gallons of water within a 4-hour period once each day. This is equivalent to a flow rate of 5 gallons per minute (gpm) for 4 hours. Some homeowners may find this supply of water to be less than desirable depending on the size of the family or if outdoor use is a requirement. Water supply capacities less than this amount may be considered a hardship by many homeowners.