Water Test FAQs
General
How much is a water test?
Our Premium Scan is $200, our Lender Scan is $135, our Basic Bacteria is $55.
We have some additional tests that we can add-on to these - please see our "Services" page for more information. These prices are per sample - so if you want a test inside the house and at the well head that would be 2 samples.
Buncombe County is included in our price.
We also do collections in the following counties for the listed trip fee:
Henderson - $25
Madison - $35
Haywood, McDowell, Yancey - $45
Transylvania, Polk - $55
Rutherford - $65
Mitchell, Jackson - $75
Swain, Macon - $90
For other counties in WNC, please call our office.
See our
"Trip Fee FAQ" page for more details.
Can I bring my sample to you?
For quality control, one of our friendly & professional collection techs will come out to the property and collect the sample. Simply call, text, or send us an email.
For safety reasons, our lab & office are not accessible to the public. We do not take drop-off samples unless there are extremely special circumstances and it has been previously arranged with a lab manager. Please call our office to discuss.
Which test do I need?
If you are getting a mortgage or refinance, please check with your lender to see what they require and then chose the test that contains those items.
If you have specific problems or concerns, please call us and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.
Why should I test my well water?
Testing your well's water quality is a crucial part of maintaining a safe and reliable source of water. Your test results will allow you to identify any potential contamination while ensuring that the water is suitable for consumption and can also help you to monitor any potential changes. The quality of your water source may change over time, even suddenly. We recommend testing your water supply at least once a year.
How often should I test my water?
The quality of your water source may change over time, even suddenly.
At a minimum, we recommend testing for bacteria every year. We recommend have a Premium Scan at least every 2 or 3 years, if not every year.
I haven't noticed any problems, do I still need to test every year?
Bacteria can build up over time. If you are ingesting the water consistently during that time, your body will probably build up an immunity to that bacteria . However, when you have guests over, they will not have that immunity and become sick. To avoid ingesting that bacteria and protect your family and friends, have your well tested every year.
How long will it take to receive my results?
Once the sample is our local lab, most results are sent out within 2-3 business days. There are a couple of tests that take a little longer.
We email the report to you as soon as it is ready*.
*Please note that results are not released until payment has been received.
(Samples that arrive in the lab after 5pm are processed first thing the next morning.)
Do I need to do anything before you come to take the sample?
As long as the water and power is on and running to a spigot/faucet, we can collect the sample.
If the water and power are not on, we will not be able to collect a sample and you will be charged a trip fee.
If you are a buyer, please have your agent let the list agent know you will be ordering a water test and will need the water and power to be on and the water running to the house - sometimes if a house is vacant they will "winterize" the pipes so the water isn't running to them or they will have the power turned off, which means the well won't pump.
When and how do we pay for the test?
Payment is due at time the water test is requested.
You may call the office and pay with a debit/credit card or use the invoice to pay with a debit/credit card online.
We accept all major credit & debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover)
Please note: we do not release results until payment has been received.
What areas do you service?
Right now we service Western NC.
All our water tests include free collection in Buncombe County.
We also do collections in the following counties for the listed trip fee:
Henderson - $25
Madison - $35
Haywood, McDowell, Yancey - $45
Transylvania, Polk - $55
Rutherford - $65
Mitchell, Jackson - $75
Swain, Macon - $90
For other counties in WNC, please call our office.
We will be expanding our service area soon - keep an eye on our facebook page for announcements.
Pricing
How much is a water test?
Our Premium Scan is $200, our Lender Scan is $135, our Basic Bacteria is $55.
We have some additional tests that we can add-on to these - please see our "Services" page for more information. These prices are per sample - so if you want a test inside the house and at the well head that would be 2 samples.
Buncombe County is included in our price.
We also do collections in the following counties for the listed trip fee:
Henderson - $25
Madison - $35
Haywood, McDowell, Yancey - $45
Transylvania, Polk - $55
Rutherford - $65
Mitchell, Jackson - $75
Swain, Macon - $90
For other counties in WNC, please call our office.
See our
"Trip Fee FAQ" page for more details.
Can I bring my sample to you?
Typically, one of our friendly & professional collection techs will come out to the property and collect the sample. Simply give us a call or use the form on our website to request a test.
For safety reasons, our lab & office are not accessible to the public. We do not take drop-off samples unless there are extremely special circumstances and it has been previously arranged with a lab manager.
Which test do I need?
If you are getting a mortgage or refinance, please check with your lender to see what they require and then chose the test that contains those items.
If you have specific problems or concerns, please call us and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.
When and how do I pay for the test?
Payment is due at time the water test is requested.
You may call the office and pay with a debit/credit card or use the invoice to pay with a debit/credit card online.
If you need to pay the tech with cash or check, please let the office know immediately.
We accept all major credit & debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
Please note: we do not release results until payment has been received.
Ordering
Can I bring my sample to you?
Typically, one of our friendly & professional collection techs will come out to the property and collect the sample. Simply give us a call or use the form on our website to request a test.
For safety reasons, our lab & office are not accessible to the public. We do not take drop-off samples unless there are extremely special circumstances and it has been previously arranged with a lab manager.
What areas do you service?
Right now we service Western NC.
All our water tests include free collection in Buncombe County.
We also do collections in the following counties for the listed trip fee:
Henderson - $25
Madison - $35
Haywood, McDowell, Yancey - $45
Transylvania, Polk - $55
Rutherford - $65
Mitchell, Jackson - $75
Swain, Macon - $90
For other counties in WNC, please call our office.
We will be expanding our service area soon - keep an eye on our facebook page for announcements.
Which test do I need?
If you are getting a mortgage or refinance, please check with your lender to see what they require and then chose the test that contains those items.
If you have specific problems or concerns, please call us and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.
How far in advance should I order?
We can collect most samples the same or next business day. Of course you can also order now for anytime in the next month.
If you need same or next business day collection, PLEASE CALL our office; otherwise, you can call, text, or email us.
Please remember that after the sample has been checked into the lab, most reports are ready within 36 hours, so if you have a deadline, please schedule enough time for collection and reporting.
(Samples that arrive in the lab after 6pm are processed first thing the next morning.)
How long will it take to receive my results?
Once the sample is in our local lab, most results are sent out within 36 hours. There are a couple of tests that take a little longer.
We email the report to you as soon as it is ready*.
*Please note that results are not released until payment has been received.
(Samples that arrive in the lab after 6pm are processed first thing the next morning.)
How long does it take? Do I need to be there?
Once the collection tech is at the property, it usually takes about 15-20 minutes to collect the sample. We do schedule in time blocks, since our techs may get stuck in traffic.
If the house is listed for sale with a real estate agent, we can usually arrange access through them just like other agents do and we do not need someone to be there as we can use the lockbox.
For homeowners and all other situations, we will need an adult to be there to provide access.
Collection
Can I collect my sample and bring it to you?
Typically, one of our friendly & professional collection techs will come out to the property and collect the sample. Simply give us a call or use the form on our website to request a test.
For safety reasons, our lab & office are not accessible to the public. We do not take drop-off samples unless there are extremely special circumstances and it has been previously arranged with a lab manager.
How do you collect the sample?
Our collection specialist will remove any aerators, gaskets, or special attachments that may be harboring bacteria from the faucet to prevent the likelihood of a false positive before drawing the sample. We will run the water briefly to ensure proper flow before throughly cleaning the collection site. Next, we will run the water for approximately 5 minutes to ensure that fresh water is being collected for the test, instead of anything previously standing in the pipes. Once this is done, we will fill all collection bottles.
Where do you collect the sample?
We usually collect the sample from a "consumption point" in the house - most commonly the kitchen sink, however if your faucet has any special attachement that is not easily removed, our collection tech may draw the sample from other areas in the home, like a bathroom sink.
Depending on your specific reason for testing, we may also draw the sample directly from the wellhead, or another location. We are happy to tailor this process to suit your specific concerns, so please feel free to call us to ask questions or make specific requests when you order.
If you need the test for a mortgage or refinance, they usually require it to be taken from a "consumption point" in the house, but you should confirm with your lender.
How long does it take? Do I need to be there?
Once the collection tech is at the property, it usually takes about 15-20 minutes to collect the sample. We do schedule in time blocks, since our techs may get stuck in traffic.
If the house is listed for sale with a real estate agent, we can usually arrange access through them just like other agents do and we do not need someone to be there as we can use the lockbox.
For homeowners and all other situations, we will need an adult to be there to provide access.
Do I need to do anything before you come to collect the sample?
As long as the water and power is on and running to a spigot, we can collect the sample.
If the water and power are not on, we will not be able to collect a sample and you will be charged a trip fee.
If you are a buyer, please have your agent let the list agent know you will be ordering a water test and will need the water and power to be on and the water running to the house - sometimes if a house is vacant they will "winterize" the pipes so the water isn't running to them or they will have the power turned off, which means the well won't pump.
Test & Report Information
Total Coliform
Info Coming Soon
Report will say "Absent" or "Present"
If it says present, the well should be treated.
E. Coli
Info Coming Soon
Report will say "Absent" or "Present"
If it says present, the well should be treated.
Nitritites
Info Coming Soon
Nitrates
Info Coming Soon
What do you test for?
We offer several tests:
The Basic Bacteria includes Total Coliform and E. Coli.
The Lender Scan includes the Basic Bacteria plus Lead, Nitrites, Nitrates.
The Premium Scan inlcludes everything in the Basic Bacteria and Lender Scan plus Iron, Phosphorus, Copper, Total Alkalinity, Turbidity, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine.
We also offer the following add-on tests with any of the above tests:
Complete Bacteria, Arsenic, Heavy Metals, Non-Specific Pesticides
If you have a specific test you want to run that isn't listed here, please call us.
Policies
Sample Collections
We run collections Monday through Friday.
Prices include pickup in Buncombe County.
A trip fee applies to other counties for each trip to property:
Henderson - $25
Madison - $35
Haywood, McDowell, Yancey - $45
Transylvania, Polk - $55
Rutherford - $65
Mitchell, Jackson - $75
Swain, Macon - $90
For other counties in WNC, please call our office.
We will be expanding our service area soon - keep an eye on our facebook page for announcements.
We do not accept drop-off samples unless there are extremely special circumstances and it has been previously arranged with a lab manager - please call us if you have questions about this policy. For safety reasons, our lab & office are not accessible to customers.
If a collection tech is dispatched and the sample cannot be collected (power/water is off, incorrect access information, unsafe conditions, etc) a trip fee will be charged. This trip fee is $25 for Buncombe County and the standard trip fee for all other counties. These trip fees also apply if a test is cancelled after the tech has been dispatched but before sample is received in the lab.
Unable to Collect Sample
If a collection tech is dispatched and the sample cannot be collected (power/water is off, incorrect access information, unsafe conditions, etc) a trip fee will be charged.
This trip fee is $25 for Buncombe County and the standard trip fee for all other counties.
These trip fees also apply if a test is cancelled after the tech has been dispatched but before sample is received in the lab.
Cancellations
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel a collection.
Water tests may be cancelled before the collection tech is dispatched.
If the tech has been dispatched, but the sample has not yet been received into the lab, a trip fee will be charged ($25 in Buncombe, standard trip fee in all other counties).
Water Tests cannot be cancelled or refunded after the sample has been received into the lab.
Payment
Payment is due at time the water test is requested.
You may call the office and pay with a debit/credit card or use the invoice to pay with a debit/credit card online.
We accept all major credit & debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover)
Please note: we do not release results until payment has been received.
Release of results
Results are not released until payment has been received.
Results/Reports are released to the person who paid for them. They can authorize us to copy others on the invoice & reports (spouse, agent, lender, etc).