New Private Well Water Testing In Lake County
Does My New Private Well Need To Be Tested?
First off – Congratulations on your new private well! It’s a significant step towards self-sufficiency and access to clean water. However, it’s crucial to recognize the necessity of testing your well water for potential contaminants. In this post, we’ll explore why testing new private wells is essential for your health, the environment, and peace of mind. Let’s dive in!
Protecting Your Health
Lake County Florida is one of the most active parts of the state for new and existing private wells. In addition, Florida’s relatively high water table and generally sandy soil and limestone bedrock, make it relatively easy to activate and maintain private wells. But these same factors also bring some elevated risk.
Testing your new private well is the first line of defense for safeguarding your health and the well-being of your loved ones. Even if your well is properly constructed, there’s a possibility of contamination from various sources, including nearby septic systems, agricultural activities, or industrial pollutants.
Regular testing allows you to identify potential health hazards such as bacteria, nitrates, toxins, and other harmful substances. By knowing the quality of your well water, you can take appropriate measures to mitigate risks and ensure a safe drinking water supply for your household.
Could My Well Be Contaminated?
Roughly 88% of Florida residents reveive water service that is sourced from local groundwater. This is due to the fact that Florida has one of the largest, and most rapidly replenishing natural auquafirs in the country.
However, whether you have a brand new private well, or an existing one, it is possible for contamination to enter your system.
Sources of Well Contamination
- First is proximity to or poor maintenance of a septic system. Whether through improper construction or even the emersion of a sinkhole, it is possible for septic wast material to mingle with the aquifer.
- Agricultural activity: Run off from cattle or agricultural operations into a nearby water supply can potentially contaminate your well system or local aquifir. These can inadvertently intorduce coliform bacteria and nitrates into your system.
- Naturally Existing Contamination: Arsenic, lead, and copper are naturally existing compounds that can contaminate a private well system in Florida.
Is My Well Water Safe To Drink?
In all likelihood, your private well water is safe to drink, but when it comes to new wells, or any well for that matter, you can’t just hope its all OK, you have to KNOW FOR SURE that you are not introducing somethig potentially harmful into your home.
The only way to know for sure, is to have a Florida Department of Health Commercially certified water testing laboratory, like Plant Technicians, collect a sample and test it for basic safety.
What Should I Have My Well Water Tested For?
There are dozens of things you could test for, but following are based on the EPA’s recommendations for drinking water safety:
- Bacteria Testing
- Nitrate Testing
- pH Levels
- Other Contaminants: Depending on the region and specific circumstances, additional testing for contaminants such as arsenic, lead, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other potentially harmful substances may be recommended
Based on these guidelines, Plant Technicians has put together a Well Water Testing bundle. This test will give you the peace of mind knowing your well water is safe to drink, or alert you to any potential problems.
This test includes:
- Total Coliforms
- E. Coli
- Nitrates & Nitrites
- Lead
- Sample Collection Fee
How Does The Well Water Test Work?
Simple, by placing your order online, we will schedule your sample collection, collect the samples needed, conduct the test, and notify you of the results.
How Long Does It Take To Complete The Test?
It may take up to 5 days to schedule your sample collection from the date you place your order. It can take up to an additional 7 days to get complete results after that. Please plan 7-14 days from the date of order to receiving your results.
Do You Service All of Florida?
No. We provide service in Lake, Sumter, Orange, Marion, and Seminole Counties. If you live outside this area, we are happy to refer you to a lab closer to where you live who will be capable of providing this testing for you.
Can I Bring In My Own Samples?
Yes, you can. Walk in’s are always welcome. Just Google Plant Technicians or plug in our address: 101 Satellite Court Leesburg Fl, 34748. The water testing lab is open Monday – Thursday, 8-3, samples are not received on Friday.
