We do not recommend using test strips because they are not as accurate or comprehensive as a test run through a certified laboratory. They are prone to have false positives and false negatives which could lead you to think your water is safe to drink when it is not. To protect your family’s health, getting a water test completed at a certified lab is a simple and necessary part of owning a private well, like changing the oil in your car.

The only exception we make on this is pH test strips, as they are efficient in detecting the amount of acid or base in the water. You may be tempted to use other types of test strips since they are easy to get from your local pool supplier, most box stores, or even online, cost significantly less than testing through a laboratory, and provide quick results, often within minutes. However, while these tests can detect a range of common contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates, nitrites, pH, hardness, chlorine, and heavy metals, they might not detect all contaminants present in the water, especially at low concentrations.

If you have used these rapid test strips to check your water quality, it's advisable to follow up with a more detailed laboratory test to confirm the results and identify any specific contaminants.