Testing Your Well Water

As a private well owner, you need to make sure that your water is safe to drink.

What to Test for

Water quality can change over time and can be affected by various things in the environment. The three routine sets of recommended tests for private wells are:

• Every year: Test for coliform bacteria, nitrate/nitrite, color, chloride, sodium, and turbidity.
• Every three to five years: Test for metals, corrosivity, and hardness.
• Every five to 10 years: Test for volatile organic compounds and MTBE.

For more details, refer to the Smart Well Owner Guide. If you've had problems with your well water before or are at a higher risk for certain things (such as soil heavy in iron, or worn-down copper pipes), you should test for those items more often.

There are some areas in Rhode Island where it may be a good idea to test for arsenic, beryllium, and/or PFAS. Arsenic was once used in orchards as a pesticide and beryllium can naturally be found in the bedrock. PFAS are a large group of manmade chemicals used in nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof products, as well as some types of firefighting foam. Use this online map tool to see if your home is in an area where one or more of these special tests are recommended. 

When you have your water tested, you will receive results in the form of a laboratory report. Refer to the work Understanding Your Test Results section below for more information. 

If you are buying or selling a home with a private well, refer to the Buying or Selling a Home below.

People concerned about PFAS can have their private well tested and learn more about testing private wells for PFAS.

How to Test Your Water

Be sure to use a certified water testing laboratory. Test kits you buy in the store or testing done by companies that do not use a certified lab may not give you accurate results.

A certified laboratory will provide special bottles and step-by-step instructions for how to take a sample and return it to be tested. Most water samples should take about five or 10 minutes to complete. After you return the water samples to the lab, results usually take 10-15 business days to finish.

If mobility or transportation is an issue, some laboratories offer services such as sending kits through the mail (though they will need to be returned in person for analysis) or have staff that will come to your home for a fee. We suggest that you call as many laboratories as you like until you find the one that meets your needs.

If you are using the State Health Laboratories, download and complete the Lab Order Form for Private Well Water. You can pick up water sample bottles at the Central Receiving area of the State Health Laboratory building at 150 Richmond St. in Providence (see the Central Services information page for directions and where to park). We recommend to call before you come to get the bottles so they are ready when you get there. Checks, money orders, and credit cards are accepted and payment is due when you drop off your sample.

State Health Laboratory

Address

150 Richmond Street, Suite 100
Providence, RI  02903

Phone

401-222-5600 - General inquiries
401-222-6064 - Sample bottle pick-up, drop off, and receiving questions

Hours

Sample bottle pick-up: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday 

Sample drop-off: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Private well water samples cannot be dropped off on Fridays or the day before any State holiday due to time-sensitive holding limits.

If you are testing water from a private well before buying or selling a home, refer to the Buying or Selling a Home below.

Cost of Testing

Private testing laboratories set their own rates; you can either call or check online for price lists. State Health Laboratories pricing can be found on the Lab Order Form for Private Well Water.

How Often to Test

It’s recommended that private wells be tested at least once a year, as outlined at the top of this page. You may also test any time you’re concerned about your water or feel like it’s not safe to drink. Wells are at a higher risk for bacteria after a flood or if the well is damaged. You may also want to test after a treatment system is installed to check if the treatment system is working effectively.

Private wells are required by law to be tested:

• When a new well is installed (see Putting in a New Well)
• Before the sale or transfer of a home (see Buying or Selling a Home below).

Testing Turnaround Time

Most results are ready within 10-15 business days, though some may take longer. Learn more about what happens after you submit your sample.

Understanding Your Test Results

When you get your laboratory report, you should see a list of test names, abbreviations, and numbers. Understanding your report may be confusing if you don’t know what to look for. 

The Center for Drinking Water Quality has created tools to help well owners understand the basic information in the report:

• Reading Your Water Analysis (PDF), a plain-language guide to the different parts of a lab report and how to read the results. 
• Understanding Your Lab Report (Excel), an automated interpretation tool that well owners can enter their own test results into. Please read through the instructions before you begin putting in your numbers.

You can also call the laboratory that tested your water and ask to speak to a licensed interpreter. If any of your results seem high or strange, we suggest that you talk to an interpreter.  The interpreter can explain your results and answer your questions. 

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the University of Rhode Island (URI) co-developed a variety of useful Tip Sheets for common issues, such as bacteria, iron, and nitrates.  Tip Sheets include information like what can cause a problem, the effects it may have, and treatment options.  Tip Sheets can be accessed online here.

You can also call RIDOH’s Private Wells Program or URI’s Water Quality Program about your concerns. Staff can talk to you about treatment options and what you should do next.

Buying or Selling a Home with a Private Well

Rhode Island law requires that any home with a private well must have the water tested before it’s sold or transferred.

This Tip Sheet tells you what tests are needed, who is responsible for performing the tests, and other things you should know about the process.

PFAS Testing

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of manmade chemicals that have been found in drinking water. PFAS are added to nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof products and can also be found in some types of firefighting foam. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t easily break down in the environment. See our PFAS in Private Wells Tipsheet for more information and visit our online map tool to see if your home is in an area where PFAS or other special testing is recommended.

People who are concerned about PFAS can have their water tested. Sampling for PFAS can be more challenging than sampling for other routine water tests. Using any products that contain PFAS, like ice packs, permanent markers, or even some clothing, can contaminate the water sample. Refer to the RIDOH State Health Laboratory PFAS Test Kit Instructions for a step-by-step sampling guide. Some laboratories may offer sampling services and will send one of their staff to collect the sample from your home for a fee.

Private well testing should only be done at certified laboratories. Avoid mail-in or over-the-counter water test kits. A list of certified laboratories that have confirmed they are currently accepting private wells PFAS tests are included below. Please note: this list may not be comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement of those labs on the list, nor is it a statement against any lab not on the list. Follow the instructions provided by the lab that you select.

Who should test their well water for PFAS? 

Testing your well water for PFAS is recommended if: 

• Your well is near a potential source of PFAS. Refer to the PFAS in Private Wells tipsheet and special testing map tool for more information about potential sources of PFAS. 
   
• A state agency, such as RIDOH or Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), advises you to do so. Under the federal Emerging Contaminants for Small and Disadvantaged Communities (ECSDC) grant program, RIDEM is testing private wells near targeted areas identified in the Statewide PFAS Source Investigation Report. If your private well falls within a sampling area, RIDEM will contact you directly via postal mail or in person.  For more information, visit the RIDEM ECSDC. 
   
• You’re concerned about PFAS in your well water and have the time and resources to test.

Testing your well water for PFAS is required if: 

• You’re applying for a license, permit, etc. that has well water testing requirements, and the program or office that issues it requires PFAS testing. 

PFAS is not currently included on the list of tests required by state law for new wells or when a home served by a well changes ownership (such as a real estate sale). However, homeowners and potential buyers can choose to test for PFAS. 

How do I understand my PFAS test results? 

After testing at a certified laboratory, your lab report will contain a lot of different information. The Private Wells Program has created resources to help make it easier for well owners to understand their results. Resources are available under Understanding Your Test Results. 

Well owners should install treatment when their results show a total of over 20 ppt (or ng/L) for the six regulated PFAS compounds. Refer to the RIDOH Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS in Water page for more information on the health limit.  

How often should I test for PFAS? 

For well owners who have already tested for PFAS, the recommended frequency for re-testing is based on your PFAS results. Refer to the Smart Well Owner guide for a full list of tests that well owners should get and how often to do them. 

• No PFAS detected.  There is no specific recommendation for re-testing, however well owners may want to periodically check RIDOH’s resources and guidance for updates. 
   
• Total PFAS is under 10 parts per trillion (ppt) (or nanograms per liter [ng/L]).  Include in your 5–10-year test panel. 
   
• Total PFAS is between 10 and 20 ppt (or ng/L).  Include in your 3–5-year test panel and consider installing treatment. 
   
• Total PFAS is over 20 ppt (or ng/L).  Install treatment and re-test to check that your levels are safe. Follow the manufacturer’s testing frequency guidance for your specific model.  

The above guidance is based on the Rhode Island PFAS health limit of 20 ppt for the total of six compounds. For more information on this health limit, visit Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS in Water. 

How do I choose a treatment system to remove PFAS? 

To reduce the amount in your well water, make sure that you choose a system that uses the correct method and is certified for PFAS removal.  
 
Never install treatment without testing your well water first! You need to test to know the water quality when choosing a system, otherwise you can make your well water problems worse or even create new problems. Refer to the Test Before You Treat flyer. 

Step 1: Decide which type of treatment system you need.  
PFAS treatment systems can be either point-of-entry (whole house) or point-of-use (such as pitchers or under-sink units). Since the health risks from PFAS come from consuming it through drinking water or food, rather than exposure from showering, doing laundry, or washing dishes, point-of-use systems reduce PFAS exposure, and are often more affordable and easier to maintain than whole-house systems. For more information about PFAS exposure from sources such as cooking or skin contact, read the Environmental Health Risk Assessment Program (EHRAP) guidance the Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS Contamination of Water page. 

Step 2: Choose the right treatment method. 
The current treatment methods for PFAS removal are activated carbon and reverse osmosis, though some specific types of ion exchange may also remove PFAS. Because some methods can only be implemented as whole-house or point-of-use, you must first complete Step 1 above. Refer to Tip Sheets on activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange treatment methods. The Environmental Protection Agency webpage Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce PFAS also has details about each of the different methods and factors to consider.  

Step 3: Check the certifications. 
Make sure that the treatment system has been verified to remove PFAS with certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 or 58. Certified systems have an official stamp from a third-party evaluator such as NSF or Water Quality Association (WQA).  More information on official stamps can be found in the Treatment Questions Tip Sheet. Do not install any treatment systems or components without certifications. The NSF website has a search tool to find all treatment system models that have earned certification, including for PFAS removal. 

Step 4: Get advice and quotes. 
The Private Wells Program and URI Well Water Extension created resources about finding and choosing a contractor, questions to ask before installing a system, and more. Refer to the Filtration and Treatment webpage for guidance. 

Water filtration installers are licensed under the Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board. Use their online search tool to find licensed water filtration contractors and check if their license is currently active and in good standing. The WQA has a search page where homeowners can find a local WQA certified professional. 

Contact RIDOH’s Private Wells Program at 401-222-6867 or DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov, or URI’s Water Quality Program with any questions. 

You can contact RIDOH’s Private Wells Program (401-222-6867; DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov) or URI’s Water Quality Program to talk about sampling options and what to do next.

Other PFAS Resources

• About PFAS
• Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS Contamination of Water
• Out of State PFAS Laboratories
• University of Rhode Island STEEP Program
• Exposure to PFAS Through the Skin During Daily Household Tasks (Showering, Laundry, Dishes)