A family outside Waynesboro has been drinking from their private well for twelve years without ever testing it. The water tastes fine, looks clear, and nobody’s been sick. Then their neighbor’s well, 300 feet away, tests positive for coliform bacteria and elevated nitrates. The family gets their own well tested. Same story: total coliform bacteria present, nitrate levels at 8 mg/L, creeping toward the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L.
The water tasted exactly the same before and after they knew. Most well water contaminants have no taste, odor, or color. You can’t tell by looking, smelling, or drinking whether your water is safe. You have to test it.
Why Private Wells Are Different
Public water systems that serve 25 or more people are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act and monitored by the EPA and state agencies. Your municipal water is tested regularly for dozens of contaminants, and the results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports.
Private wells are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act. No federal agency monitors your water quality. No state agency requires you to test. If you own a private well, water quality is entirely your responsibility.
According to the EPA, approximately 23 million households in the United States rely on private wells. In rural areas of the CSRA, including Burke, Jefferson, Glascock, Warren, and Washington counties, private wells are common.
What to Test For
The CDC and EPA recommend that private well owners test for specific contaminants on a regular schedule. Here are the most important ones for the Augusta area and surrounding communities:
Bacteria (Total Coliform and E. coli)
What it is. Total coliform bacteria are a group of organisms found naturally in soil and the intestines of animals. Their presence in well water indicates that surface water or sewage is entering your well, which means disease-causing organisms may be present too. E. coli is a specific type of coliform that indicates fecal contamination.
How often to test. At least once per year, and after any flooding event, major rain, changes in water appearance or taste, or work on the well or plumbing.
What the results mean. Any detection of total coliform warrants follow-up. Any detection of E. coli means the water is unsafe to drink without treatment.
Nitrates
What it is. Nitrate (NO3) is a compound containing nitrogen and oxygen that enters groundwater from fertilizers, animal waste, septic systems, and natural deposits. It’s particularly concerning because of its health effects on infants.
The standard. The EPA’s MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (milligrams per liter, equivalent to parts per million). Infants who consume water with nitrate above this level are at risk for methemoglobinemia, commonly called “blue baby syndrome,” a condition where nitrate interferes with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
How often to test. At least once per year, and more frequently if you have infants in the household or if previous tests showed levels above 5 mg/L.
Georgia context. Agricultural activity throughout the CSRA, including row crops, poultry operations, and livestock, contributes nitrate to groundwater. Homes near agricultural land or with aging septic systems are at higher risk.
pH and Hardness
What they are. pH measures how acidic or alkaline your water is on a scale of 0 to 14 (7 is neutral). Hardness measures dissolved calcium and magnesium, which cause scale buildup and soap scum.
Why they matter. Low pH (acidic water) can corrode plumbing, leaching metals like copper and lead from pipes and fixtures into your drinking water. This is particularly relevant for homes with older plumbing that may contain lead solder. High hardness affects taste and appliance lifespan but is not a health concern.
How often to test. Every three to five years, or if you notice staining, corrosion, or changes in water behavior.
Heavy Metals
What they are. Lead, arsenic, copper, manganese, and iron can all be present in well water. Sources include natural mineral deposits, aging plumbing materials, and industrial contamination.
Why they matter. Lead and arsenic are serious health concerns at even low concentrations. The EPA’s MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L (micrograms per liter), and for lead, the action level is 15 µg/L. Georgia’s Piedmont region has geological formations that can contribute naturally occurring arsenic and other metals to groundwater.
How often to test. Every three to five years for a comprehensive metals panel. Test for lead specifically if your plumbing contains lead solder or if your water has low pH.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
What they are. VOCs are chemical compounds from industrial solvents, fuel, and pesticides that can migrate through soil and contaminate groundwater. Common VOCs include benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and MTBE.
When to test. If your well is near gas stations, dry cleaners, industrial sites, or areas with known contamination. The EPA recommends testing for VOCs if your well is within a quarter mile of a gas station, landfill, or industrial facility.
When to Test Beyond the Annual Basics
Several situations call for immediate testing beyond your regular annual schedule:
- Flooding. Surface water that reaches your wellhead can introduce bacteria and sediment directly into the well.
- Changes in water quality. Any change in taste, color, odor, or clarity warrants testing.
- New construction or land use nearby. A neighbor installing a septic system, new agricultural activity, or construction that disturbs soil near your well can affect water quality.
- After well repairs. Any work on the well pump, casing, or plumbing can introduce contamination.
- If someone in the household becomes ill. Gastrointestinal symptoms in multiple household members can indicate waterborne contamination.
How Testing Works
Professional well water testing involves collecting samples from your tap following specific protocols to ensure accurate results. Samples must typically be collected in sterile containers for bacterial analysis and preserved containers for chemical analysis. Improper collection can produce false results.
Samples are sent to a state-certified laboratory for analysis. Results are compared to EPA MCLs and secondary standards. The laboratory report tells you exactly what’s in your water and whether any contaminants exceed safe levels.
What to Do
-
If you haven’t tested in the past year, schedule a basic test now. At minimum, test for total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrates, and pH. This covers the most common and most immediately dangerous contaminants.
-
Keep records. Save your test results year over year. Trends matter. A nitrate level that was 4 mg/L five years ago and is now 8 mg/L is heading in the wrong direction, even though both readings are below the MCL.
-
Protect your wellhead. Keep the area around your well free of chemical storage, animal waste, and standing water. Ensure the well cap is intact and properly sealed. Maintain a separation of at least 50 feet between your well and any septic system component.
If you need your well water tested or you’ve received results you’re not sure how to interpret, the EnviroPro 360 team can help. Reach out here and we’ll make sure you know exactly what’s in your water.
