Your water quality is a quantitative and qualitative measure of what is in your water and how that can affect your home and family. Whether your water supply comes from the city or a private well, your tap water may contain contaminants such as dissolved minerals and metals, chemicals, bacteria and more could be present, affecting not only the taste, smell and feel of your water but also your health. Water testing is an important first step toward ensuring your have water you can trust.

If you have city water, your local water supplier is already taking steps to make your water safer. However, unfiltered tap water may still have problems. Some contaminants can make their way into your water as it travels from your city supply to your home, or through your own pipes. There are also emerging water contaminants that are not yet regulated. At the same time, even safe water may have contaminants that can affect the smell and taste or damage plumbing and appliances. A water quality test can reveal what is in your water and if it is safe to drink.

Common tap water issues vary by region, water supply, and whether you have city or well water. Hard water, which means high levels of magnesium and calcium, is common in well and city water. Man-made chemicals like PFAS can be present in both water sources as well.* If your water is supplied by a municipality, it may have chlorine and fluoride. High levels of iron and/or hydrogen sulfide are common in well water; arsenic or nitrates may also be issues depending on where you live. Professional water testing is the best way to get a comprehensive picture of what is in your tap water and make sure you can put the right treatment solutions in place if needed.

Well water testingis especially important because private well water is not regulated or treated by the government or local municipalities. As with city water, the best approach is to work with a professional who knows what to test for and can recommend the right well water treatment solutions. It’s recommended to test yearly for problems like bacteria, nitrates, pH and TDS, but you should also test any time you notice changes to your water quality or disturbances near your well such as flooding or construction. Testing is recommended as well when you replace or repair any part of your well, or if there are known problems with groundwater in your area.

How often you should get a home water test depends on the source of your water supply. Private well water should generally be tested annually. Municipal water homes should also be tested, particularly if issues are detected like hard water buildup, odors or discoloration, or if you have concerns about specific contaminants or your water quality overall. If you notice any changes to your water quality, have just moved to a new home, or experience irritated skin or dry hair, a water test is recommended.

Culligan offers free, in-home water testing for the most common water issues and can perform a lab test for more complex problems. A Culligan expert will visit your home, inspect your plumbing and appliances, share the results of your water test and provide a no-cost, no-obligation estimate of any recommended water solutions. Complete the form on this page to request your free water test.