The Invisible Risk in Your Tap
When most people think about maintaining their home, their minds jump to roofs, furnaces, or paint. Yet one of the most overlooked systems in any property is its water supply. Whether your household relies on a private well or municipal service, water quality is never truly guaranteed and deserves regular attention.
As home inspectors who have evaluated thousands of Connecticut properties, we've seen the consequences of contaminated water—from minor nuisances to serious health hazards. We've also witnessed how regular testing catches problems early, preventing both health risks and property damage.
Water testing isn't paranoia—it's prudent homeownership. Let's explore why it matters and what you should know about protecting your water supply.
Private Wells: Your Responsibility
If your home has a private well, water testing isn't just recommended—it's essential. Unlike municipal systems monitored by water authorities, private wells are entirely the homeowner's responsibility. No government agency tests your water or ensures it meets safety standards unless you request it.
What Can Go Wrong
Private wells can be contaminated by bacteria from failing septic systems, agricultural runoff, surface water intrusion, naturally occurring arsenic, radon, or uranium, chemical contamination from industrial sources, and changes in aquifer chemistry.
These contaminants are often invisible, tasteless, and odorless. You can't rely on your senses to detect problems.
Testing Frequency for Private Wells
The EPA recommends testing private wells annually for bacteria (coliform bacteria and E. coli), plus baseline testing for other contaminants including nitrates and nitrites, pH levels, total dissolved solids, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and radon (if geologically indicated in your area).
In Connecticut, where older homes are common and historical land uses varied, comprehensive baseline testing is particularly important when buying a property with a well.
Special Circumstances Requiring Immediate Testing
Test immediately if you notice changes in water taste, odor, or appearance, a family member experiences unexplained illness, your septic system has failed or been repaired, there's been flooding or land disturbance nearby, or your neighbors discover contamination in their wells.
Don't wait for annual testing if something seems wrong. Water quality can change quickly.
Municipal Water: Not as Safe as You Think
Even if you're connected to municipal water, your home's water may not be as safe as you assume. While water utilities test their supply, several issues can affect what comes out of your tap.
The Last Mile Problem
Municipal water may be perfect when it leaves the treatment plant, but contamination can occur between the plant and your faucet through aging infrastructure and lead service lines, corrosion in your home's pipes, cross-contamination events, and maintenance work that disturbs sediments or introduces contaminants.
Lead: The Persistent Threat
Lead contamination is a particular concern in older homes and municipalities with aging infrastructure. Lead pipes, fixtures, and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in acidic or corrosive water conditions.
Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, which can cause developmental problems, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues. No level of lead exposure is considered safe for children.
If your home was built before 1986, or if you're unsure of your plumbing materials, lead testing is essential.
Testing Municipal Water
Even with municipal water, consider testing for lead (especially if you have children or the home was built before 1986), copper (corrosion from pipes), chlorine and chlorination byproducts, hardness (affecting fixtures and appliances), and any specific concerns based on local conditions or news reports.
While municipalities must notify residents of violations, testing your household water provides additional assurance and identifies problems specific to your home.
Connecticut-Specific Concerns
Connecticut's geology, history, and development patterns create specific water quality concerns that homeowners should understand.
Naturally Occurring Radon
Connecticut has some of the highest radon levels in the nation. While most people associate radon with air quality, it can also contaminate well water. When water containing radon is used for showering or other purposes, radon is released into indoor air.
Radon in water is less of a concern than radon in soil/air, but it contributes to overall radon exposure and should be tested if you have a private well.
Arsenic in Wells
Some areas of Connecticut have naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water increases risks of various cancers and other health problems.
If you have a private well, arsenic testing should be part of your baseline testing.
Legacy Contamination
Connecticut's industrial history means some areas have groundwater contamination from historical industrial operations, former manufacturing sites, old landfills, and agricultural chemicals.
Research the history of your area. If there were industrial operations or intensive agriculture, comprehensive testing for VOCs and other contaminants is warranted.
Hard Water
While not a health hazard, hard water is common in Connecticut and can damage water heaters, clog pipes, reduce appliance efficiency, and create frustrating cleaning and bathing issues.
Testing for hardness helps you decide if treatment is worthwhile.
What to Test For
The specific tests you need depend on your water source, location, and specific concerns. However, a comprehensive water test typically includes:
Basic Microbial Testing: Total coliform bacteria, E. coli, and other fecal indicators.
Chemical Contaminants: Nitrates/nitrites, pH level, total dissolved solids, hardness, and chloride.
Heavy Metals: Lead, arsenic, copper, mercury, and other metals.
Organic Compounds: VOCs (volatile organic compounds) if industrial contamination is a concern.
Radon: If you're in a high-radon area with a private well.
Specialized Testing: Depending on local concerns—PFAS, pesticides, herbicides, or specific industrial contaminants.
A qualified testing laboratory can recommend appropriate test packages based on your location and water source.
How to Test Your Water
Choosing a Laboratory
Use a state-certified water testing laboratory. In Connecticut, the Department of Public Health maintains a list of certified labs. Don't rely on free testing offered by water treatment companies—they have a financial incentive to find problems. Independent, certified laboratories provide objective results.
Collecting Samples
Follow the laboratory's instructions carefully for sample collection. Proper collection technique is critical for accurate results. This typically involves using sterile containers provided by the lab, following specific collection procedures for different tests, delivering samples to the lab within specified timeframes, and properly labeling samples with required information.
For bacterial testing, timing and handling are particularly critical. Contamination during collection can produce false positives.
Understanding Results
Water test results can be complex. The laboratory should provide results compared to EPA standards and state guidelines, with explanations of what the numbers mean and recommendations if levels exceed standards.
Don't hesitate to ask the laboratory questions if results are unclear. Understanding what you're dealing with is essential for making informed decisions.
When Results Show Problems
If testing reveals contamination, don't panic—but don't ignore it either. The appropriate response depends on what's been found.
Immediate Actions
For bacterial contamination, boil water before use or use bottled water until the problem is resolved. Shock chlorinate the well (for bacterial issues), retest to confirm contamination, and identify and correct the contamination source.
For chemical or heavy metal contamination, use bottled water for drinking and cooking while investigating treatment options, consult with water treatment professionals, and research the extent and source of contamination.
Treatment Options
Many water quality problems can be addressed through whole-house or point-of-use water treatment systems including bacteria filters and UV disinfection systems for bacterial issues, reverse osmosis systems for many chemical contaminants, water softeners for hardness, activated carbon filters for certain organic compounds and chlorine, and specialized systems for specific contaminants like radon or arsenic.
The appropriate treatment depends on the specific contaminant, its concentration, and your water usage needs.
Professional Guidance
For significant contamination issues, consult with qualified water treatment professionals (not salespeople), environmental engineers, and in some cases, the local health department or environmental agency.
Connecticut's Department of Public Health provides resources and guidance for addressing private well contamination.
Maintaining Your Water System
Beyond testing, maintaining your water system prevents problems and protects water quality.
Well Maintenance
For private wells, ensure the well cap is secure and intact, the area around the wellhead is properly graded, vegetation and debris are kept away from the wellhead, the well seal is functional, and you maintain records of well depth, construction, and maintenance.
Have your well professionally inspected every 10 years or if you notice changes in water flow or quality.
Protecting Your Well
Never store chemicals, fuel, or other contaminants near the well. Maintain your septic system properly. Keep livestock and manure away from well areas. Ensure the wellhead is above grade and protected from flooding.
Plumbing Maintenance
Regardless of water source, maintain your home's plumbing to protect water quality by addressing leaks promptly, insulating pipes to prevent temperature-related issues, flushing water heaters annually to prevent sediment buildup, and replacing old fixtures that may contain lead.
If you have old galvanized pipes or suspect lead pipes or solder, consider re-piping for long-term safety.
Real Estate Considerations
Buying a Home
When purchasing a property, especially one with a private well, insist on comprehensive water testing as part of your due diligence. Don't rely on old test results—water quality can change. Your mortgage lender may require bacterial testing for well water, but consider more comprehensive testing beyond minimum requirements.
We recommend buyers test for bacteria, nitrates, pH, arsenic, lead, radon (if applicable), and any other contaminants of local concern.
Selling a Home
If you're selling a property with a private well, proactive testing demonstrates transparency, prevents surprises during buyer inspections, and allows you to address any issues on your timeline.
Some states require well testing for property transfers. Even if not required in Connecticut, it's good practice.
Conclusion
Regular water testing is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to protect your family's health and maintain your property. For the modest cost of testing—typically $150-$500 depending on the scope—you gain peace of mind and early warning of any problems.
Don't assume your water is safe because it looks, tastes, and smells fine. Many dangerous contaminants are completely undetectable without testing. Don't wait for illness or problems to occur before testing—be proactive.
Whether you have a private well or municipal water, make water testing part of your regular home maintenance routine. Test annually if you have a well, every few years with municipal water, and immediately if you notice any changes or have specific concerns.
Your water is too important to ignore. It affects every aspect of daily life—drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Ensure it's safe through regular testing and proper system maintenance. Your family's health and your property's value depend on it.