Water Testing & Flow Testing
Know What’s in Your Water Before You Treat It
Effective water treatment starts with understanding your water. We provide comprehensive testing for well and municipal water—analyzing chemistry, identifying contaminants, and measuring flow rates. No guessing. No generic solutions. Just data-driven recommendations based on your actual water.
Testing is the Foundation of Effective Treatment
Without knowing what’s in your water, any treatment is just guesswork.
Right-Sized Solutions
Testing reveals exact contaminant levels so we can design systems that match your actual needs—not over-engineered, not under-engineered.
Avoid Wasted Money
Generic systems often miss the mark. Testing ensures you’re not paying for treatment you don’t need—or missing treatment you do.
Warranty Requirements
Our up-to-10-year warranty requires documented baseline water chemistry. Testing establishes this baseline for your protection.
Track Changes Over Time
Water chemistry can change. Baseline testing lets you compare future results to understand if your water—or treatment needs—have changed.
What We Test For
We analyze the parameters that matter most for treatment decisions in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Iron
Why it matters: Causes orange/rust staining on fixtures, laundry, and appliances. Even small amounts create visible problems.
Treatment trigger: Above 0.3 mg/L typically requires treatment.
Manganese
Why it matters: Creates black staining and deposits. Often accompanies iron but requires attention to its own levels.
Treatment trigger: Above 0.05 mg/L typically causes staining issues.
pH Level
Why it matters: Acidic water (low pH) corrodes pipes, causes blue-green staining from copper, and shortens equipment life.
Treatment trigger: Below 7.0 typically requires pH correction.
Hardness
Why it matters: Hard water causes scale buildup, soap scum, spotted dishes, and dry skin. Measured in grains per gallon (gpg).
Treatment trigger: Above 7 gpg is considered hard; above 10.5 gpg is very hard.
Hydrogen Sulfide
Why it matters: The “rotten egg” smell. Even trace amounts are noticeable and make water unpleasant to use.
Treatment trigger: Any detectable sulfur odor typically warrants treatment.
Total Dissolved Solids
Why it matters: TDS indicates overall mineral content. High TDS can affect taste and may indicate other issues.
Treatment trigger: Above 500 mg/L may warrant investigation or RO for drinking water.
Coliform Bacteria
Why it matters: Indicates potential contamination from surface water or waste. About 50% of PA wells test positive.
Treatment trigger: Any presence requires attention—source investigation and/or UV disinfection.
Nitrates
Why it matters: Can indicate agricultural or septic contamination. Health concern especially for infants.
Treatment trigger: Above 10 mg/L exceeds EPA standards and requires treatment.
Additional Testing Available
Depending on your situation, we may recommend testing for:
Well Flow Rate & Recovery Testing
For well owners, understanding your well’s capacity is essential for proper system sizing.
Why Flow Testing Matters
Your well’s flow rate determines what treatment systems can handle your water demand. A system that’s too large for your well’s capacity can cause problems; a system that’s too small won’t keep up with your household needs.
Flow Rate (GPM)
Gallons per minute your well can deliver. Determines maximum water available at any moment.
Recovery Rate
How quickly your well replenishes after heavy use. Important for households with high water demand.
Static Water Level
Water level when the well is at rest. Baseline for understanding well performance.
Drawdown
How much water level drops during pumping. Indicates well capacity and pump sizing needs.
Well Water vs. Municipal Water
Testing priorities differ based on your water source.
Private Well Water
Priority testing:
- Coliform bacteria (annually recommended)
- Nitrates (annually recommended)
- pH level
- Iron and manganese
- Hardness
- Hydrogen sulfide (if odor present)
- Flow rate and recovery
Penn State Extension recommends annual bacteria and nitrate testing for all private wells.
Municipal Water
Priority testing:
- Hardness (for softening decisions)
- Chlorine/chloramine levels
- TDS (total dissolved solids)
- pH level
- Lead (especially in older homes)
- Taste and odor assessment
Municipal water is treated, but home plumbing can affect quality at your tap.
How Testing Works
Professional testing with results you can understand and act on.
Schedule Consultation
Contact us to schedule a water testing appointment. We’ll discuss your concerns and any specific issues you’ve noticed.
On-Site Testing
We visit your home and collect samples using proper techniques. Some tests are performed on-site; others require lab analysis.
Flow Measurement
For well water, we measure flow rate and evaluate your well’s capacity to ensure proper equipment sizing.
Results Review
We explain your results in plain English—what each number means, what’s normal, what needs attention, and why.
Recommendations
Based on your data, we provide honest recommendations. Sometimes that means treatment; sometimes it means your water is fine.
How Often Should You Test?
Penn State Extension provides these guidelines for private well owners:
When Did You Last Test?
If it’s been more than a year since your last bacteria test—or you’ve never tested—it’s time.
Schedule Testing →Testing Throughout Southwestern PA
We provide water testing services across all 13 counties we serve.
Based in Murrysville. Professional testing throughout the region.
Water Testing FAQs
Is water testing included with treatment installation?
Water testing is part of our consultation process. We test your water to understand what treatment you actually need—this ensures we recommend the right solution, not just any solution. The testing helps us both.
Can I just use a home testing kit?
Home test kits can be useful for basic screening, but they have limitations in accuracy and the range of parameters tested. Professional testing provides more reliable data, especially for treatment system design and warranty documentation.
How long does testing take?
On-site testing and sample collection typically takes 30-60 minutes. Some parameters are tested immediately; others require lab analysis with results in 1-2 weeks. We’ll explain the timeline for your specific tests.
What if my water tests fine?
That’s good news! If your water meets standards and you’re not experiencing problems, you may not need treatment. We’ll tell you honestly if that’s the case. Not everyone needs a water treatment system.
Do I need to test municipal water?
Municipal water is tested by your water utility, but testing at your tap can still be valuable. Home plumbing (especially older pipes) can affect water quality. Testing helps if you’re considering softening or have taste/odor concerns.
What’s included in a flow test?
Flow testing measures how many gallons per minute (GPM) your well produces, recovery rate, and how water level changes during pumping. This data is essential for sizing treatment equipment correctly.
Why is baseline testing required for warranty?
Our warranty covers treatment performance under documented conditions. Baseline testing establishes what your water chemistry is when we install the system—if something changes later, we can compare and determine the cause.
Can testing identify why my water changed?
Often, yes. If your water quality has changed, testing can reveal what’s different. Comparing to previous results (if available) helps pinpoint whether it’s a seasonal variation, contamination event, or equipment issue.
Do you test for PFAS?
PFAS testing requires specialized laboratory analysis. If you’re concerned about PFAS, we can discuss options and recommend appropriate testing resources. PFAS testing is more complex and costly than standard water chemistry analysis.
How do I get started?
Call us at 724-708-8816 or fill out the form below to schedule water testing. We’ll discuss your concerns, schedule a convenient time, and explain what to expect.
Schedule Water Testing
Ready to find out what’s in your water? Contact us to schedule professional testing. We’ll analyze your water, explain the results, and provide honest recommendations—no pressure, no obligation.
Don’t Guess—Test
Professional water testing is the foundation of effective treatment. Know what’s in your water before you decide what to do about it.