Water Testing Services Available
In-house Testing
Hardness
Hard water is a result of minerals that have been dissolved in the water. Common minerals present in hard water are calcium and magnesium. These minerals do not pose any health risks, but they can be bothersome and costly.
Hard water:
- Leaves frustrating spots on clean dishes
- Stains fixtures and leaves white buildup on faucets
- Clogs pipes and drains
- Causes appliances to work harder resulting in higher utility bills
- Makes clean laundry appear dingy and feel scratchy on your skin
- Prevents soap and shampoo from washing away leaving your skin dry and hair flat
pH
The pH test is a measure of the acidity of your water. The optimal pH level is neutral, a 7 on the scale of 1-14 where 1 is acidic and 14 is basic or alkaline. Acidic water can eat away at pipes wreaking havoc on your system and leaving blue-green stains on your skin, clothes and fixtures. Due to its corrosive nature, acidic water could contain toxic levels of metals and leave a metallic taste. Alkaline water can lower the natural pH in your stomach, cause gastrointestinal issues, and irritate skin.
Iron
Iron is a very common mineral in well water and is not harmful to your health. Trace amounts of iron are not typically detectable without the use of an iron test. However; readings of as low as 0.3 parts per million (mg/L) could have adverse effects. There are two forms of iron, ferrous iron that is soluble and can’t be seen and ferric iron that turns the water reddish brown. Ferrous iron causes water to taste metallic and will change the taste of your tea and coffee. It will also turn your vegetables dark when cooked in the iron water. Both forms of iron will cause staining in your fixtures and laundry.
Sulfur: water containing hydrogen sulfide gas that escapes into the air creating a rotten egg smell. This test needs to be done on site as accurate results are only achieved before the gas has the chance to escape.
Further testing may be warranted depending on the well water and results of testing both in-house and from a laboratory. Newly drilled wells take time to develop. The quality of the water can change, sometimes drastically. We recommend retesting your water six months post drilling.
Safety of Drinking
Safety of drinking tests should be done at a certified laboratory. These tests are most commonly performed at the time of the sale of a home on a well. We recommend testing your water if individuals in the home are experiencing stomach pains and/or other digestional discomforts. Commercial properties where well water is the main source for drinking are required to have the water tested once per year.
The typical safety of drinking package includes coliform, nitrates, E.coli, and arsenic. Lead is a common addon. Contact the laboratory in your area for more information on the services they offer. They will also come to your property to draw the sample for you in many cases (for less than our service fee).
Our technicians can draw and deliver the water sample for you for a service fee. Many customers choose to do this at the time of the flow test on the sale of a home to decrease the fee. Customers may choose to deliver the sample themselves to save money. However; Oregon law requires that a third party draw the sample. If you would like your water tested and are not involved in a sale, then you may draw and deliver the sample yourself. Simply follow these instructions carefully.