Your well water test came back bad. Now what?
A positive bacteria result usually means shock chlorinating the well, finding how contamination got in, and retesting. Chemical problems like nitrates, arsenic or iron usually need a treatment system matched to the specific contaminant.
How to do it
- If E. coli is present, switch to bottled water or boil water for drinking and cooking until it's fixed.
- Inspect the well cap and casing for gaps, and look for nearby septic or runoff issues.
- Shock chlorinate the well (or hire a well contractor), then retest after the chlorine flushes out.
- For chemical contaminants, get quotes for treatment matched to that contaminant, and ask for a post-install test.
- Retest on a schedule to confirm the fix holds.
What to avoid
- Don't buy a treatment system before you know exactly what you're treating.
Certified labs for retesting
Bad result? Get help from water treatment pros near your area
Tell us what your test found and we'll connect you with up to three local water treatment companies.
What happens next
- We match your ZIP to water treatment companies nearby.
- They contact you directly to talk through your results.
- Compare options and pick one, or none. No fee, no obligation.
Free, no obligation. We don't sell your details to anyone else.
Just need a lab? Every certified lab is listed above with directions.