Water Testing

Water Quality testing is a top priority at Bellwether Home Inspections, and we are pleased to work with Capital Region Environmental Lab for all water quality testing and analysis. Testing includes Well and Municipal water sources, FHA Short, FHA/HUD Long testing and more and can typically be conducted during the home inspection.

A water heater, an expansion tank, and a water softener in a basement utility room with concrete walls.

  • Our well water quality test includes the following: total coliform bacteria, E.coli, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH level. Contact us if additional testing is needed.

    The NY Department of Health & EPA recommendations/lab pricing are subject to change at any time.

    “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rules that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells. Government officials do not regulate, treat, or monitor tap water from private wells. However, your local government can help you get your well water tested.The EPA recommends testing your private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect the presence of other contaminants, you should test for those also. You can also contact your local health department to find out what substances may be common in your area's groundwater.

    You may want to test more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in your house or if someone in your house is pregnant, nursing or navigates compromised immunity. These segments of the population are often more vulnerable to pollutants than others.”


  • Our municipal water test includes Total Coliform Bacteria, Lead & Copper. 

    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), sets national drinking water standards for contaminants, called maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). These ensure that the water is safe for human consumption. EPA also regulates how often public water systems monitor for these contaminants and report the monitoring results to New York State or EPA. Generally, the larger the population served by a water system, the more frequent the monitoring and reporting requirements.

    Nearly 95% of NY’ers receive water from a community water system that provides its customers with an annual water quality report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report. The report contains information on contaminants found, possible health effects, and the water’s source. If you do not receive a report, contact your water company for this information.

    • The FHA water test is a basic screening test required for properties being financed with an FHA loan to ensure the water supply is safe for drinking and general use, focusing on contaminants like bacteria, nitrates, and lead. Test requirements/lab pricing are subject to change at any time.

      FHA Short: Total Coliform, E.Coli, Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite

      FHA/HUD Long Requirements: Total Coliform and E. coli, Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, Iron, Manganese, Iron Plus Manganese, Sodium, pH, Hardness, Alkalinity, and Turbidity.


  • Add-on tests available:

    Routine Chemical & Physical Water Test (Color, Turbidity, Odor, pH, Conductivity, Hardness, Nitrate, Iron, Manganese, Chloride, Sulfate, Sodium, Fluoride, Arsenic


Map of New York State showing private well risk levels with green indicating low risk and blue indicating higher risk areas.