How to Test Your Own Well Water: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you rely on a private well, ensuring your water is safe is your responsibility. The Florida Department of Health recommends testing your well water for bacteria and nitrates at least once a year. Testing is a simple process, but it must be done precisely to ensure your results are accurate. Follow this guide to collect your sample like a professional.
Phase 1: Get Your Kit
You cannot use a standard water bottle or Tupperware for this test. You must use a sterile collection kit to prevent outside contamination.
- Where to get one: Pick up a kit at your local County Health Department or a Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL) location.
- The Forms: Ensure your kit includes Form DH655. Fill this out completely before you begin.
Phase 2: Choosing the Right Time
Timing is everything. Most labs require the sample to be delivered the same day it is collected.
- Lab Cut-off: Many labs have a 2:00 PM cut-off on Fridays.
- Temperature Matters: Your sample must remain cold (below 50°F / 10°C) during transport.
Phase 3: The Collection Process (The “DIY” Part)
Follow these steps exactly to avoid a “false positive” (where the lab finds bacteria that came from your hands or the faucet, not the well).
1. Flush the System
Go to an outdoor faucet (the one closest to the well is usually best). Turn the water on cold and let it run for at least 5 minutes. This clears out stagnant water in the pipes and ensures you are testing the water directly from the aquifer.
2. Sanitize the Faucet (Optional but Recommended)
Wipe the opening of the faucet with an alcohol swab or a dilute bleach solution to kill any surface bacteria lingering on the spout.
3. Prepare the Bottle
Carefully unscrew the cap. Crucial: Do not touch the inside of the cap, the mouth of the bottle, or the “pill” (powder) inside the bottle. This powder is a preservative required for the test.
4. Collect the Sample
Reduce the water flow to a steady, thin stream. Hold the bottle under the flow. Fill it to the “100 mL” mark indicated on the side. Do not let the bottle overflow, as this will wash out the preservative.
5. Seal and Label
Screw the cap on tightly immediately. Double-check that your Form DH655 is attached and that your name, the date, and the exact time of collection are written on the bottle.
Phase 4: Delivery
Place your sample in a cooler with ice immediately.
- Transport: Drive the sample to the lab or your health department drop-off point the same day.
- Temperature Check: Be prepared for lab staff to check the temperature of your cooler upon arrival. If it’s too warm, they may ask you to resample.
Understanding Your Results
Standard processing for E. coli and coliforms typically takes 48 hours.
- If your results are “Absent”: Your water is bacteriologically safe.
- If your results are “Present”: Do not drink the water without boiling it first. You may need to “shock chlorinate” your well and re-test.
Need Help? Let the Professionals Handle It.
While DIY testing is a great way to stay on top of your water quality, the process can be tricky. Between securing sterile kits, meeting strict same-day delivery windows, and ensuring “zero-contamination” during collection, it can be a lot to manage.
If you’d rather have the peace of mind that comes with professional oversight, Moran Rocks is here to help. We provide expert environmental consulting and can handle the entire sampling and coordination process for you—ensuring your reports are accurate, compliant, and delivered on time.
Let us take the guesswork out of your environmental testing.