What Should I Test For?

Routine Testing Recommended by the State of Maine

Well-water needs to be tested periodically to ensure its continued potability. The State of Maine recommends the following schedule of testing in its "Uniform Testing Recommendation".

Also visit the State of Maine "Private Well Water and Testing" webpage.

How Often	State of Maine Recommendation (2017)
Annual	Nitrate Nitrite Bacteria
Every 3-5 Years	Arsenic Bacteria Chloride Copper Fluoride Hardness Iron Lead (first-draw if home is pre-1988) Manganese Nitrate/Nitrite pH Sodium
Every 3-5 Years Radiological Analysis	Radon Uranium
Source of Data	Maine Statute §2660-T, “Safe Drinking Water from Residential Private Wells: Uniform Testing Recommendation” (2017)

Other contaminants of concern:

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS have been found in a significant percentage of private wells in Maine and New Hampshire.

In 2021, the State of Maine introduced a mandate for all Public Water Systems to test for PFAS contamination in their wells. (source: Testing for PFAS in Public Drinking Water Systems). The State of New Hampshire recommends private home wells be tested for PFAS every 3-5 years.

Please visit our PFAS page for more information.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

The most common VOCs come from gasoline compounds (such as MtBE and benzene) and industrial solvents. MtBE can be found in well water even in remote areas. The State of New Hampshire recommends testing for VOCs every 3-5 years.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Most states do not routinely recommend testing for pesticides and herbicides because it's expensive. However, such testing might be warranted if your water has elevated nitrite/nitrate concentrations or if significant amounts of pesticide have been applied near the well.

Source: NHDES "Suggested Water Quality Testing for Private Wells" (3 pg. pdf, 2020)

Specific Well Water Concerns

Stinky water? Staining? The funky well upta camp?

From the EPA's "Protect Your Home's Water" (website):

Conditions or Nearby Activities:	Test for:
Recurring gastro-intestinal illness	Coliform bacteria
Household plumbing contains lead	pH, lead, copper
Radon in indoor air or region is radon rich	Radon
Corrosion of pipes, plumbing	Corrosion, pH, lead
Nearby areas of intensive agriculture	Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria
Coal or other mining operations nearby	Metals, pH, corrosion
Gas drilling operations nearby	Chloride, sodium, barium, strontium
Dump, junkyard, landfill, factory, gas station or dry-cleaning operation nearby	Volatile organic compounds, total dissolved solids, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals
Odor of gasoline or fuel oil, and near gas station or buried fuel tanks	Volatile organic compounds
Objectionable taste or smell	Hydrogen sulfide, corrosion, metals, bacteria
Stained plumbing fixtures, laundry	Iron, copper, manganese
Salty taste and seawater, or a heavily salted roadway nearby*	Chloride, total dissolved solids, sodium
Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather*	Hardness
Rapid wear of water treatment equipment*	pH, corrosion
Water softener needed to treat hardness*	Manganese, iron
Water appears cloudy, frothy or colored*	Color, detergents

*This is a "nuisance concern" and not necessarily an immediate health threat. Still, these issues are good to address for aesthetic reasons and to prolong the life of your pipes and/or equipment.

Handout: Common Rural Well Problems and Some Solutions

aka "Water factors to consider in buying or building a new home"

(from the excellent USGS website Groundwater and the Rural Homewoner)

Tests for Home Businesses and More

The State of Maine requires some small businesses to do annual "Basic Safety" tests on their water if they get their drinking water from surface water or private wells.

The Basic Safety Test list:

Test	Result Must Be
Coliform Bacteria	Absent
Nitrate	Less than 10 mg/L
Nitrite	Less than 1.0 mg/L

Maine Child Care Facility and Provider Licensing Well-Water Testing (2021)

Initial	Annual	Every 5 Years
Coliform Bacteria	Coliform Bacteria	Fluoride
Nitrate and Nitrite	Nitrate and Nitrite	Arsenic
Fluoride		Lead - "First-Draw"
Arsenic		Uranium
Lead - "First-Draw"
Uranium

Source: 10-148 CMR Ch. 32, Child Care Facility Licensing Rule Child Care Centers, Nursery Schools, Small Child Care Facilities, Other Programs (9/27/21)

10-148 CMR Ch 33, Family Child Care Provider Licensing Rule (5/27/21)