“Testing” can start with your senses: Assessing your water’s appearance, taste, and smell can all be good first steps. The best way to know for sure what’s going on with your water is to use a well water testing kit, which can tell you about the specific levels of bacteria, dissolved solids, and hardness of your water with precision. Have a pro test your well water at least once per year.

With regular testing, treatment, and maintenance, water from a community well should be safe to drink. Unfortunately, the EPA does not regulate private wells, and contamination can happen. 

If you have doubts about the quality and safety of your drinking water, you have options for testing. You can pick up kits from your local home supply store or harvest samples and send them to a local testing facility. To get the most complete water quality testing and system diagnosis, seek a local well professional. They know what to test for and can recommend and implement a longer-lasting solution.

At-home lead tests can provide accurate results if used correctly, and if the kits are reputable and certified. They vary in sensitivity and methodology, influencing their accuracy. Follow instructions meticulously, ensuring proper sample collection and test execution. While they can detect elevated lead levels, for precise confirmation or if results are concerning, consider professional testing or lab analysis for comprehensive accuracy and guidance on addressing any issues.

While not all homes built before 1978 contain lead paint, enough do, so you’ll still want to test to be on the safe side. The federal government banned lead-based paint for homes in 1978, but your state may have banned lead before that time. Around 24% of homes built between 1960 and 1977 contained lead-based paint, while 87% of homes built before 1940 contained lead-based paint.