Why should I test my well water?

If you are on a private well, nobody is testing your water for you. Unlike municipal water systems that are monitored by the EPA and your city, private well owners are responsible for their own water quality. That means the only way to know what is in your water — and whether it is safe to drink — is to test it.

North Texas well water commonly contains elevated levels of iron, hardness minerals, hydrogen sulfide, sediment, and in some cases coliform bacteria or nitrates. Many of these contaminants are invisible, odorless, and tasteless at levels that still pose health risks or damage your home.

How often should I test my well water?

At minimum, once per year for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and nitrates. We recommend a full panel test annually that also includes iron, hardness, pH, sulfur, total dissolved solids, and manganese — because these parameters affect your filtration system performance and your plumbing.

Test immediately after flooding, well repairs, any time the casing is opened, or if anyone in the household experiences unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.

Legacy Water Well collects samples and sends them to a certified laboratory for analysis. Our standard well water test panel includes:

• Total coliform bacteria — indicator organisms that signal a contamination pathway exists in your well
• E. coli — a specific coliform that indicates fecal contamination and requires immediate treatment
• Iron — measured in parts per million; even 0.3 ppm causes staining; North Texas wells commonly test 1-5+ ppm
• Hardness — measured in grains per gallon; our area typically ranges from 15-30+ GPG
• pH — affects corrosion, treatment system performance, and water taste
• Hydrogen sulfide (sulfur) — the rotten-egg smell; affects livability and indicates anaerobic conditions in the aquifer
• Nitrates — can indicate agricultural runoff or septic contamination; a health concern especially for infants
• Total dissolved solids (TDS) — an overall measure of mineral content
• Manganese — often present alongside iron; causes black staining

If you have specific concerns — arsenic, fluoride, lead from old plumbing, or volatile organic compounds — we can add those to the test panel.

1. We collect the sample — proper sample collection matters. We follow laboratory protocols for sterile bacteria bottles and preservative-treated mineral sample containers. Improper collection is the most common cause of false positives and inaccurate results.
2. Samples go to a certified lab — we use state-certified laboratories that meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards.
3. Results in 5-7 business days — we receive the lab report and review it before contacting you.
4. We explain your results — not just the numbers, but what they mean for your health, your home, and your treatment options. If your water needs treatment, we recommend specific filtration systems matched to your actual water chemistry.

We never recommend treatment equipment without test results to back it up. If someone is trying to sell you a water filtration system without testing your water first, that is a red flag.

If your test results come back with levels outside safe or desirable ranges, here is what happens next:

• Bacteria present: We recommend immediate treatment — either UV disinfection or chlorine injection depending on the type and severity. We may also shock chlorinate and retest as a first step.
• High iron or sulfur: We design an air-injection or chemical-free removal system sized to your specific levels.
• Hard water: We recommend a commercial-grade water softener rated for your GPG level and household flow rate.
• Multiple issues: Most North Texas wells have more than one problem. We design a whole-house filtration system that addresses everything in the correct treatment sequence.

Your test results are yours — we provide a copy of the full lab report for your records regardless of whether you choose to install treatment equipment through us.