Residential Water Testing

At Biotech Lab, our focus is on helping new or experienced well owners ensure the safety and quality of your water supply. Our bacteria and chemical testing services help you ensure the cleanliness and potability of your water source. We provide personal service, fast turn-around, and honest advice.

As a residential well owner, you are justified to be concerned about the quality of your water supply. Too often, however, out-of-sight is out-of-mind and water is simply taken for granted whenever the faucet is turned on.

Owning a well means that you are your own water service provider. Many well owners who have never tested their water, because they’ve never had water or health problems, are surprised when their water fails a bacteria analysis.

Other well owners don’t use their water because they are concerned about quality or have noticed a problem (e.g. odor, particulates) and don’t know what to do or who to contact to obtain help in fixing the problem.

To ensure a potable water supply, regular testing is important. Well water can become unsanitary and unsafe for consumption for various reasons, potentially within a short period of time. The Virginia Department of Health, EPA and professional associations encourage well owners to test your water at least annually to ensure potability.

Common reasons for testing residential well water include:
• Annual assurance of water potability and a properly functioning well
• Selling or refinancing a home
• Known problems with other wells in the area
• Surrounding land disturbances, animal waste disposal or wetlands
• Malfunctioning septic system
• Repairs to well system or replacement of components
• Changes in water odor, taste or color
• Low immune-function individuals in the household
• Pregnancy or young children in household
• Sudden or unexplained illness or gastrointestinal distress

Note that for loans, property transfers, and mortgage refinancing, you should disclose to the lender at the beginning of the process that you are a well owner, and ask specifically what tests are required and whether independent, third-party collection is necessary. The bacteria test for water potability is always required. You may or may not need any or all tests for lead, nitrate, and nitrite. For most situations, test results are valid for 30 days. Plan your schedule so that, should the sample fail, you have time to correct the problem and retest before your closing date.