Water Testing: The First Step to Protect Your Home’s Water Quality
Clean water is essential in your everyday life and for your family’s health. Poor water quality can negatively affect your home’s plumbing, water-using appliances, laundry, dishes, and more. Water quality can be impacted by many factors, including aging infrastructure, the environment, and local geological conditions. Whether you rely on a public water system or a private well, water testing is your first line of defense.
What Can Happen When Water Quality Is Poor?
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Damage to Your Home & Appliances
- Hard water damages appliances and plumbing
- White scale build-up on fixtures
- Acidic water corrosion of pipes and plumbing components
- Staining on fixtures and laundry from various contaminants
- Negative effects on water taste and smell
- Spotting on dishes and soap scum on glass
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Potability Concerns
- Bacteria and viruses in water
- Naturally occurring arsenic and radon
- Lead in water from old plumbing
- Other potential contaminants found in New England
If you’re concerned about the quality of your tap water, you’re not alone. Contact us to schedule a free on-site water quality test. We offer free home testing and broader paid laboratory testing for truly comprehensive results.
“Free water testing for hardness, iron, pH, alkalinity, and total dissolved solids. For other testing requiring a laboratory, applicable charges are required.”
Our Water Testing Services
At H2O Care, we offer custom testing for well water and town water supplies. If you have questions about what’s coming from your taps, we have the answers!
On-Site Water Testing
For no charge, our water professionals can test for many common contaminants right in your home. This allows us to determine the most appropriate water filtration or water softening system. Our free testing service checks for:
- Hard water
- Iron content
- pH issues
- Alkalinity
- Total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Chlorine
Laboratory Testing
For minerals, metals, and health-related contaminants, such as arsenic, radon, lead, nitrates, and bacteria, we offer professional testing through certified laboratories. We carefully collect water samples following strict guidelines. This ensures accurate test results by maintaining proper sample sizes, temperatures, and timing requirements.
We have Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 testing level options. You can see the contaminants tested in each package at the following link: Water Testing Sheet
We can also tailor your package based on your specific water needs or concerns. Rest assured, every testing service delivers dependable results and accurate insights about your water quality.
When Is Laboratory Water Testing Necessary?
Water from a private well usually requires more extensive testing than town/city water. If you depend on a well for your drinking water, it’s wise to have it tested even if it looks clear and tastes fine. Many dangerous contaminants, like chemicals and bacteria, can be difficult, if not impossible, to detect without testing. The EPA recommends yearly testing for private wells.
If you’re selling your home, you may have to order a well water test to ensure potability. Your bank, town’s Board of Health, or a home inspector might dictate what must be tested for. Our professionals at H2O Care can assist in determining which testing package is right for you.
Signs It’s Time to Schedule a Water Test
Sometimes, it’s fairly easy to tell when your water supply is contaminated. If you notice any of the following issues in your home, they are good indicators that you should order a water test (even if you rely on public water):
- Strange water color
- Your water contains noticeable sediment
- Bad odors or tastes
- Water leaves behind residue or staining on dishes, tubs, showers, toilets, fixtures, or laundry
- Limescale buildup on fixtures or in pipes
- Frequent plumbing problems or sputtering faucets
- Your skin and hair feel constantly dry or dull
- Soap doesn’t lather easily
- Clothes and towels look worn and feel scratchy
- Appliances wear out faster than they should
- Unexplained illness in the home
If you’re ready to schedule a comprehensive water test, fill out the contact form below. One of our team members will be in touch to set up your appointment!
Our team serves homeowners throughout New England, including Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts communities. If you need a Lakeville free water test, a water test in Middleton, or free water testing in Stow, MA, we’re here to help. You can also rely on our team for service in Manchester, RI, Portsmouth, NH, York, ME, and more.
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DIY Water Samples
Need a helping hand with your water testing? If you would prefer to collect your own water samples, we can point you to the nearest certified lab and make sure you know exactly what to do.
If you’re ready to get started, simply complete the contact form above. Our team will reach out to help you plan your water testing.
Complimentary Testing Availability by Location
If you use a well in one of the following regions, you may qualify for complimentary water testing:
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New Hampshire Counties:
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Maine:
- York County
Rhode Island Counties
- Bristol
- Providence
Contact Us for Free Water Testing
For more information about our water testing services, fill out our contact form or call us at H2O Care today. You can depend on our skilled water quality professionals to provide reliable testing and solutions for your water problems. Since 1989, we’ve provided water treatment solutions to homeowners and businesses in Eastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire & Maine, and Northern Rhode Island.
Disclaimer: H2O Care, Inc. (“H2O Care”) is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken based on the results of the water test information submitted by H2O Care. If H2O Care is hired to perform services to address specific water quality issues for the submitter of this form, it does have a warranty for its work in addressing the specific water quality issues uncovered in the water test. Please contact us for further information.
Water Testing FAQs
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How often should I have my water tested?
Private well owners should have their water tested at least once a year, according to the EPA. Additional testing is recommended after flooding, plumbing and well repairs, nearby construction, or noticeable changes in taste, smell, or color.
If you use municipal water, testing can still help identify problems caused by household plumbing or contaminants that may come from utility service lines. Other issues, like hard minerals, PFAS, chlorine, and disinfection byproducts, can also be present in public water.
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What does a water quality test check for?
It depends on the type of water test. H2O Care offers free on-site water testing for iron, hardness, pH levels, total dissolved solids (TDS), and alkalinity. More comprehensive, paid laboratory testing can check for contaminants such as arsenic, radon, lead, bacteria, nitrates, PFAS, and more.
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Do I need water testing if I use city water?
Water testing can still be useful if you have city water. Public water systems regularly test and treat the water they supply, but water quality can change as it travels through service lines and household plumbing.
Municipal water can contain hard minerals, chlorine, disinfection byproducts, and other contaminants. Testing may be helpful if you notice unusual tastes, odors, discoloration, staining, or have concerns about contaminants such as lead.
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Is free water testing accurate?
Yes, free professional water testing can provide useful and accurate results. H2O Care’s free testing checks iron, hardness, pH, TDS, and alkalinity. Contaminants such as PFAS, arsenic, radon, bacteria, etc., require more advanced testing through a certified laboratory.
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What are the signs I should schedule water testing?
Consider scheduling water quality testing if you notice:
- Rotten egg or other unusual odors
- Metallic or unpleasant tastes
- Cloudy or discolored water
- Staining throughout your property, such as orange stains on sinks and laundry or blue-green stains in tubs
- White scale on fixtures
- Dingy, rough laundry
- Water spots on dishes
- Corroded plumbing fixtures or pipes
- Soap scum throughout your property
- Changes in water pressure
- Frequent plumbing issues
- Water-using appliances wearing out faster than they should
- A sudden change in your water
Testing is also important because contaminants such as arsenic, radon, PFAS, and bacteria may be present without changing the taste, smell, or appearance of your water. Yearly testing is recommended for private well water and can also offer peace of mind for public water users.
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Can water testing help me choose the right treatment system?
Yes. Water quality testing should be one of the first steps when choosing a water treatment system. Your results can identify which minerals or contaminants need to be addressed. Our water treatment professionals can then recommend the right equipment, such as a water softener, reverse osmosis system, carbon filter, or UV purifier.
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Can you have someone test my water?
Yes. H2O Care provides professional water testing for homeowners and businesses with private wells and municipal water. We offer free on-site testing for several common water quality concerns. For a fee, we can also collect samples for more comprehensive testing through a certified laboratory.
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What is hard water testing?
Hard water testing measures the amount of dissolved hard minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, in your water. Results are commonly reported in grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (ppm). Testing your water hardness can help determine whether you need a water softener and what size system is appropriate for your property.