Water treatment · Checklists and planning · Updated November 2026
Understanding a Home Water Test
A water test tells you what is actually in your water, so you buy the right treatment, or none at all. Here is how to get a reliable test and read the results.
Where your water comes from matters
- City water: your utility must publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Start there. It does not reflect your home's pipes, so test at the tap for lead if your home has older plumbing.
- Private well: you are responsible for testing. The EPA recommends testing at least once a year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH, and more often if anything changes.
Getting a reliable test
- Use a state-certified laboratory. Your state or county health department can point you to one.
- Follow the lab's sampling instructions exactly (some tests need the first water out of the tap after sitting overnight).
- Be cautious of free in-home tests offered by companies selling treatment equipment; get an independent lab result before buying.
Reading the results
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| mg/L or ppm | Milligrams per liter, about the same as parts per million |
| µg/L or ppb | Micrograms per liter, parts per billion (used for lead and many contaminants) |
| gpg | Grains per gallon, a common hardness unit; 1 gpg equals about 17.1 mg/L |
| MCL | Maximum Contaminant Level, the EPA's enforceable limit for public water systems |
| Secondary standard | Non-health guidelines for taste, odor and appearance (iron, manganese, sulfate) |
What to do with the results
- Anything above a health-based limit: ask your health department what to do next, and choose treatment certified for that contaminant.
- Hardness and minerals only: a softener may help (softener installation cost).
- Taste, odor or sediment: a filter may help (softener vs. whole-house filter).
Sources
- EPA: Private drinking water wells, accessed November 2026
- EPA: Consumer Confidence Reports, accessed November 2026
Cost figures are national ranges from the sources listed above, not a quote from FixFinch or any contractor.