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Private Well Water Testing Resources for California Residents

Water Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	6/15/2023
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Private Well Water Testing Resources for California Residents
Introduction	LA Testing provides water quality testing services, sampling supplies and test kits to identify a wide range of contaminants from private wells and other water sources.
Huntington Beach, CA, June 15, 2023 The California Department of Water Resources reports there are as many as 2 million water wells tapping the state’s groundwater, with approximately 7,000 to 15,000 new wells constructed each year. Of these, the California State Water Resources Control Board estimates 250,000 to 600,000 are private domestic wells providing water to residents. Water quality and safety from private wells are not regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Instead, individual homeowners are responsible for maintaining their domestic well systems and for monitoring water quality. Fortunately, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers information regarding the importance of testing private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove contaminants. EPA recommends that the water in private wells be tested annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. Testing should also perhaps take place more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in a home that utilizes private well water, or if someone in the house is pregnant or nursing. Private well owners are also encouraged to test the water if: There are known problems with groundwater or drinking water in the area Conditions near a well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity) Repairs to any part of the well system has taken place A change in the water quality is noticed (i.e. odor, color, taste) “It’s also important to recognize that groundwater under the direct influence of surface water is susceptible to contamination from activities on the surface,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Corrosive groundwater could even cause lead to leach from old pipes, plumbing fixtures and solder that contain the heavy metal into the water supply. At LA Testing, we offer laboratory services to assess the physical characteristics of water samples as well as test for a wide range of microbial, chemical and radiological contaminants. We also offer sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to quickly and affordably provide answers to water quality concerns involving private wells and water from other sources in California.” To learn more about water quality testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to Drinking Water Test Kits, visit www.WaterTestKitEMSL.com. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.