Certified Well & Public Water Testing
know what's actually in your water
Why Water Testing Matters
If your home runs on a private well, nobody’s testing that water for you. It’s not regulated the way city water is, and testing is entirely on the homeowner. Most wells in Pennsylvania go untested for years at a stretch, and when they finally are tested, it’s common for them to fail at least one standard. You won’t smell or taste most of what’s actually a problem — bacteria, nitrates, lead — which is exactly why lab testing exists.
If you’re on public water, you’re in better shape at the source — municipal systems are treated and monitored. But that doesn’t account for what happens between the water main and your faucet, especially in older homes where lead, corrosion, and hard water are common.
Well Water Testing
We’re certified to do water testing by InterNACHI, and by Pure Test Laboratory. We collect the sample on-site using our certified procedures. It goes to a certified, DEP-accredited lab — not run in-house — so the results are independent and hold up with lenders.
- Standard Bacterial Test: Total coliform, E. coli, & nitrates. Recommended annually for any well, loan or no loan — it’s our baseline test for private water supplies in Central PA.
- VA Loan Package: Coliform, E. coli, nitrates, nitrites, pH, iron, and lead — the panel VA lenders require before closing on a home with a private well.
- FHA Loan Package: Coliform, E. coli, nitrates, nitrites, and lead — the panel FHA loans typically require before closing.
- PA DEP Recommended Panel: Coliform, E. coli, nitrates, pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS) — the DEP panel recommended for any private water supply in Pennsylvania, loan or no loan.
- À La Carte Testing: Add specific tests based on your well or your property: lead/copper corrosion, iron, manganese, PFAS, pesticides, or other parameters tied to nearby land use like agriculture, mining, or a septic system.
Common Water Issues in Central PA
Much of South Central PA sits in the middle of working farmland, and that has a direct effect on well water. Fertilizer and manure runoff are among the leading causes of nitrate contamination in private wells across this region. A 2020 LNP|LancasterOnline investigation of wells across Lancaster County found that well over half of the samples tested had at least one failure — bacteria present, nitrates above the EPA’s limit, or both. Pennsylvania doesn’t regulate its roughly one million private wells, so nothing catches a problem well except testing it.
That’s part of why nitrates are built into the VA, FHA, and PA DEP Recommended panels above — in our Central PA farm country, they’re one of the most common issues we find.
Public / Municipal Water Testing
Even on city water, what comes out of your tap isn’t guaranteed to match what left the treatment plant. In older homes, galvanized steel and other obsolete piping can add contaminants. Our public water testing package checks:
- Hardness
- Iron
- pH
- Manganese
- Lead
How Water Testing Works
- Schedule your test — on its own, or added to a Premier Home Inspection.
- We collect the sample on-site, following proper collection protocol so results hold up with lenders.
- The sample goes to a certified lab for analysis.
- You get results — bacteria results are typically back in about 2 business days. Other panels take longer, depending on the lab’s schedule.
Standalone or Bundled
Water testing is available on its own, or bundled with a Premier Home Inspection if you’re already having the house inspected. Well or public, the process is the same either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need well water testing to close on a house with a VA or FHA loan?
In most cases, yes. FHA loans require testing for coliform, E. coli, nitrates, nitrites, and lead. VA loans require the same tests, plus pH & iron. Ask your lender to confirm exactly what’s required for your loan.
How long does water testing take to get results?
Bacterial results are usually back within about 2 business days. Lead, iron, and other metals panels can take longer depending on the lab.
What if my well needs more than a standard panel?
We offer à la carte testing for lead, iron, manganese, PFAS, pesticides, and other contaminants tied to your specific property or local land use.
Can I add water testing to my home inspection?
Yes. It can be scheduled as an add-on to a Premier Home Inspection, or booked as its own appointment.
Lender-required water testing does not require a separate contingency, but if you want water testing that the lender doesn’t require, PA real estate rules require an additional contingency to your purchase agreement.
I'm on public water — do I still need testing?
Most lenders don’t require it, but it’s worth checking. Municipal water is treated at the source, but hardness, lead, and iron/manganese from your home’s own plumbing aren’t covered by that treatment — especially in older homes.
Our Service Area
We serve Allentown, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Pottsville, Reading, York, and their surrounding areas in Central Pennsylvania. Contact us with questions or service outside these areas.
Additional fees apply to properties over an hour away, over 100 years old, or over 2,000 square feet.
