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What drinking water contamination tests should you order? Here we discuss the general classes of water contaminants covered in a general water test. This website describes the types of water testing available, outlines common water test fees, describes the details of what parameters are included in various water test options, and gives advice to assist you in deciding what tests to order.

Readers should also see our longer article Water Quality Testing, and advice for home buyers and building owners: water contaminants, water test procedures, well shock procedures, preventing drinking water contamination, and Cheating on water tests in that document.

© 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

General Classes of Water Contaminants for Comprehensive Water Testing

Comprehensive water testing covering the groups listed below may be appropriate when purchasing a new property, when local environmental conditions are unknown but suspect, or when building occupants have unusual health vulnerability or compromised immune systems. This page outlines the general classes or groups of comprehensive water tests that one would consider when attempting to perform comprehensive water testing for a broad range of contaminants.

We advise also that you speak with the local health department and neighbors to ask if there are any known specific issues or contaminants nearby, as we have by this means discovered very unusual local water contaminants which otherwise no one would have thought to test. Readers of this section should be sure to also review Water Testing for Contaminants: A Comprehensive Water Test: a detailed parameter list. Be sure to review actual parameters with your home inspector or laboratory: parameters and costs vary.

Water is the universal solvent and it has the capabilities of dissolving just about anything. Because of this unique property water can easily become contaminated. Most common complaints are usually odor or staining problems; like those associated with sulfur and iron. However, serious contaminates as Lead and E.Coli Bacteria may be toxic affecting your family's health. This is why testing your water initially and annual monitoring is important.

Comprehensive Test would be expected to address four categories of testing in water:

1. Inorganic (this includes minerals and physical properties)

2. Organic (petroleum products, gasoline, fuel oils and solvents)

3. Microbiology (Coliform and other bacteria)

4. Radiological (radon gas)

This is a good way to start.. The comprehensive Test is a powerful tool in detecting contaminates commonly found in surface and deep well waters. If there is a suspicion of Pesticides or Herbicides used near the water source it may be wise to include Pesticides and Herbicides analysis along with the Comprehensive Test.

ANNUAL MONITORING (Standard Test)

After the initial water test, it is customary to monitor the quality to make sure that no changes have occurred. Utilizing the Standard Test yearly is a good way to monitor the water source. If on the original water test, Organic compounds or high amounts of Radon Gas were found, we would strongly suggest again testing with the Comprehensive Test.

General- water test parameters

This page lists a set of general water test parameters for property buyers or owners who want to be more thorough than performing only a simple "coliform" or "bacteria" test (all that most banks require) but who do not have reason to test for more specific water contaminants. One might take this approach after obtaining knowledge of property history, site inspection, conversation with neighbors, or check with a local health department. This test is more thorough than a simple coliform test but may not meet VA or FHA minimum standards for drinking water. Be sure to review actual parameters with your home inspector or laboratory: parameters and costs vary.

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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
PLUMBING TOPICS
WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER TESTING ADVICE
CHEATING on WATER TESTS
CORRECTING BAD WATER
EPA GUIDE to WATER QUALITY
SEWAGE CONTAMINATION
WATER CONTAMINANT LEVELS
WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE
WATER PUMPS & WELLS
WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT
WATER QUANTITY USAGE GUIDE
WATER SOFTENERS
WATER TEST CHOICES & WATER TEST FEES
  Cost of Water Tests - Lab Fees
  General Classes of Water Contaminants
  ARSENIC in WATER
  BACTERIA TEST GUIDE
  CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER
  FHA WATER TESTS REQUIRED
  General- water test parameters
  Standard VA FHA, Pesticides
  Title 5- water test parameters
  Comprehensive Water Test
  Water testing Comprehensive + Pesticides
  Individual water contaminant tests
  Herbicide Contamination
  LEAD CONTAMINATION
  Pesticides Contamination
  TOTAL COLIFORM TESTING
  Municipal Water Test Parameters
WATER TEST FEES
WATER TEST INTERPRETATION
  Common Water Tests for Bacteria
  Interpreting Other Water Test Results
  FAILED WATER TESTS - WHAT TO DO
  FAILED WATER TESTS - WHEN to RE-TEST
WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES
WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Drinking Water testing, contamination, correction - all topics
• Drinking Water Testing Advice for home buyers home owners home inspectors
• Choices of Water Tests & Fees: A Summary of Types of Water Tests, Degrees of Comprehensive Water Testing, Details of Water Test Parameters
• Cheating on water tests: Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - make sure your water test is valid
• General water testing and corrective measure advice: contact your local health department.
• Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results and Correcting Unsatisfactory Water
• Drinking Water Contaminant Levels - Maximum Allowed
• Drinking Water Contamination and Pollution How to Detect, Test, Correct, and Prevent Well Water Contamination - US EPA - Groundwater
• How to Reduce Lead Contamination in Drinking Water: how to test & correction lead in drinking water
• When and How to Shock or Chlorinate a Well - Procedure for Shocking a Well to (temporarily or maybe longer) "Correct" Bacterial Contamination
• Water and Waste Water Test Methods, US EPA
• Water Requirements, Home & Outdoor Living
• ATSDR: Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity [Big, Slow-Loading File] U.S. Government ATSDR Science Corner - 2.5MB PDF
• Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipment
• The Septic System Information Website - Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Alternatives for on-site waste disposal
• Sewage or Septic contamination in buildings - Investigation, Testing and Remediation

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