Homeowner Testing

Home Drinking Water Testing Options

Select one or more packages (see below) tailored to homeowners with private wells.

Choose individual tests to address specific concerns; a wide range of water analyses are available to homeowners.

You may request a water sample bottle, information sheet, or price list by calling the lab at: 715-346-3209 or send an E-mail.

Many Extension offices carry our sample bottles for pickup or you can stop by the lab located at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the Daniel O. Trainer Natural Resources Building, Room 200.

How do I know which test(s) to perform?
Package	Which wells should be tested?
Homeowner	All wells: This is the basic package, perform this set of tests if you are unsure of which tests to perform This package includes the two most important tests to perform regularly on a well (bacteria and nitrate)
Metals	Consider this test package if: You have never had your well tested for arsenic You are experiencing problems with staining Previous tests indicated the presence of arsenic Your plumbing system has components that contain copper or lead
DACT Screen	Consider this package if: Your well is within 1/4 mile of agricultural fields where corn has been grown Previous tests indicated elevated levels of nitrate likely caused by agricultural fertilizers

Homeowner Package
Includes	Information on test
Total Coliform Bacteria*	Tests if your well is producing bacteriologically free water. This is the most important test to perform regularly on a private water supply.
Nitrate-Nitrogen*	Nitrate is the most common chemical contaminant in Wisconsin groundwater. Sources of nitrate include fertilizers, septic systems or manure and bio-solid applications. This test serves as an indicator of land-use impacts and may indicate the presence of other contaminants such as pesticides.
pH	Measures the relative acidity of water. Useful in assessing the corrosivity of water to plumbing.
Alkalinity	Amount of bicarbonate (acid neutralizing capacity). This test is related to pH and important for determining the corrosivity index.
Total Hardness	Measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium. Important for water softening considerations.
Chloride	Another indicator of overall water quality and land-use impacts. If elevated indicates contamination from septic systems, fertilizers, or road salts.
Conductivity	Measure of total dissolved minerals in water. Changes in conductivity over time may be indicative of contamination from surrounding land-use activities.
Corrosivity Index	This is a calculation to determine whether your water will form scale or be corrosive.
* Test important to health

Metals Package
Includes	Information on test
Arsenic*	Occurs naturally in Wisconsin's groundwater. Recommend every well test for arsenic at least once to determine if its in your water.
Lead*	Found in water systems with brass fixtures, lead pipes or lead solder (prior to 1985), especially water systems with soft or corrosive water. Amounts are usually lower after water is allowed to run for several minutes.
Copper*	Only a concern if you have copper plumbing. Can be found in toxic concentrations when naturally soft or corrosive water sits in contact with copper plumbing for extended periods of time. If using for drinking water simply run your faucet for two minutes first thing in the morning and after being gone more than six hours to flush water that has been standing in pipes.
Iron	Naturally occurring mineral that causes taste problems and staining of household fixtures (orange-brown) and laundry.
Manganese*	Health concerns if found in high concentrations. Also causes aesthetic problems such as staining (black-brown) of household fixtures or formation of black precipitates (specks) in water.
Zinc*	Found in water systems that contain zinc in the plumbing system (ex. galvanized pipes). More likely to be elevated in water system with naturally soft or corrosive water. Can occur naturally in parts of the state.
Calcium	Naturally occurring in Wisconsin groundwater. Particularly high in areas where wells extend into limestone or dolomite aquifers. Causes hard water problems.
Magnesium	Naturally occurring in Wisconsin groundwater. Particularly high in areas where wells extend into limestone or dolomite aquifers. Causes hard water problems.
Sodium*	Sodium is associated with increased blood pressure in certain individuals. Generally found at low levels in groundwater. Elevated levels may indicate impacts from road salt or septic systems. If test indicates high levels of sodium and near absent levels of calcium and magnesium, it more than likely indicates that the water sample is from water that has passed through a water softener.
Potassium	Elevated levels may indicate impacts from animal waste or fertilizer. May also be found at elevated levels if homeowner is using potassium chloride in their water softener.
Sulfate*	Naturally occurring in some parts of Wisconsin. High concentrations may give water an off taste and cause a laxative effect in humans. At extremely high levels may affect milk production in cows.
*Test important to health

Diaminochlorotriazine (DACT) Screen

Includes 

Information on test

DACT* Screen

This is a test that detects agricultural chemicals called triazines. Triazines are a class of herbicides that include atrazine, simazine and cyanazine. The DACT screen is an approximate tests that is performed as an inexpensive alternative to a more detailed test. It is a useful first step in determining whether your water is being impacted by pesticides and below health-based standards for triazine type herbicides.

Your sample results, along with an interpretation for (Homeowner or Metal Package) will be sent to you within 10 working days after your sample is received in the lab. Additional information may be included if your results indicate a problem.

Community educational drinking water programs are also available; visit DWP for further information.