Well water testing
Your NC new-well test results: what's covered, what isn't, and what's next
What the law requires
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-97, within 30 days after the county issues a certificate of completion for a newly built private well, the local health department must test the water, or make sure a certified lab does.[source] The requirement took effect on July 1, 2008.[source] Results go to the well owner.[source] NC DHHS adds that a new well should be tested before it's used as a drinking water source.[source]
What's on the required panel
The statute lists these parameters:[source]
- Metals and minerals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, selenium, silver, sodium and zinc.
- Other inorganics: fluoride, nitrate and nitrite.
- pH.
- Bacteria: total coliform, then fecal coliform or E. coli if total coliform is present.[source]
What the new-well test doesn't cover
Anything not on that list isn't part of the required test. Several of the things that matter most for Piedmont wells aren't on it:
| Not tested | Why it can matter here | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (calcium is also not tested) | Decides whether a softener is worth it. Local groundwater ranges from soft to hard. [source] | Hard well water |
| Radon | Common in Piedmont rock. A state study found a median of 1,010 pCi/L in 115 sampled wells. [source] | Radon and uranium |
| Uranium and gross alpha | Less common, but NC DHHS suggests screening in areas where radionuclides are likely. [source] | Radon and uranium |
| Hydrogen sulfide and sulfate | The cause of rotten-egg odors. | Sulfur odor |
| Pesticides and volatile organic compounds | NC DHHS recommends testing every five years, or yearly if you know of a pesticide used nearby. [source] | Well water testing |
How to read the report
Labs that report new-well results must use a standard state format, and it includes a guide to interpreting the results.[source] Read that first. Then keep these points in mind:
- Check the units. Metals may be reported in mg/L or µg/L. 10 mg/L is the same as 10,000 µg/L, and nitrate's standard is often written either way.[source] A misread unit is the most common reading mistake.
- "Not detected" or "<" means below what the lab can measure, not necessarily zero.
- Know which standard you're comparing to. Health-based limits, such as 10 µg/L for arsenic, are different from aesthetic guidelines, such as 0.3 mg/L for iron or 6.5–8.5 for pH.[source][source] Going over an aesthetic guideline means stains or taste. Going over a health-based limit calls for action.
- Bacteria are reported as present or absent. Any coliform result means retest and disinfect. See bacteria and UV.
- Lead and copper may come from your plumbing, not the aquifer, especially in water that sat in the pipes. A 2023 UNC study linked lead in Union County well samples to household plumbing fixtures.[source]
The most common results around Charlotte
- Arsenic over 10 µg/L: common in Union and Stanly counties. See arsenic in well water.
- Iron or manganese over the aesthetic guideline: very common region-wide. See iron and manganese.
- pH below 6.5: frequent in Piedmont wells. See low pH and acidic water.
- Positive coliform: sometimes a sign of construction or plumbing work, but it always needs follow-up. See bacteria and UV.
What to do next
- Step 1
Keep the report
It's your baseline. Future tests are compared to it, and a buyer may ask for it if you sell.
- Step 2
Fill the gaps
Add hardness, and radon or uranium if your area calls for them, through a certified lab. Our well water testing service builds that panel.
- Step 3
Act on anything over a health-based standard
Follow your health department's guidance, then choose treatment certified for that specific contaminant.
- Step 4
Retest on schedule
NC DHHS recommends bacteria every year, metals, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper every two years, and pesticides and VOCs every five years. Also retest after repairs, flooding or any change in taste, color or odor.[source]
If you'd like a second set of eyes on your report, send it with a quote request. We'll tell you what needs attention and what doesn't, including when the answer is nothing. If treatment does make sense, equipment that ties into your plumbing is put in under a separate agreement. Here's how installation works.
Questions we hear
My well is older than 2008. Was it ever tested?
Maybe not. The required new-well test began July 1, 2008. If you don't have a report on file, contact your county environmental health office, then plan a full certified-lab panel.
Does the new-well test include hardness or radon?
No. The required parameters don't include hardness, calcium, radon or uranium. Add them if they matter for your area or your plans.
Everything passed. Am I done testing?
No. Groundwater and well conditions change. NC DHHS recommends testing for bacteria every year and metals every two years, plus after repairs, floods or any change in the water.
Do these rules apply in South Carolina?
No. G.S. 87-97 is North Carolina law. If your well is in South Carolina, a baseline certified-lab test is even more important.
Where we serve
Start with an honest answer about your water.
Tell us about your home and water source. We'll recommend testing first, and only the equipment your results support.