pH test/©Adobe
The measurement of acidity, or the amount of hydrogen ions, is called pH. It ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7 being neutral. A pH level between 6.5 and 8.5 is generally considered acceptable for drinking water. If the pH level of your well water is outside of this range, it may indicate water quality issues including the presence of contaminants.
The USEPA lists pH as a secondary standard as it is considered an aesthetic quality, not a health risk. Signs of low pH include a bitter metallic tase and corrosion, while high pH signs are a slippery feel, soda taste, or deposits.
What is corrosive or aggressive water?
Corrosive or aggressive water refers to water that has the ability to dissolve or erode metals, such as lead, copper, or galvanized pipes. It occurs when the water lacks certain minerals or has certain components that cause the metal to oxidize and dissolve into the water. Factors that contribute to corrosive or aggressive water include low pH, high levels of dissolved solids, chlorides, and sulfates. The solubility of the metals in the water determines whether it is corrosive or not. If the water can solubilize the metals, it is considered aggressive and corrosive. To determine if your water is corrosive or aggressive, it is recommended to have a water sample tested.
When should I test the pH of my well water?
A water test for pH will provide information on the level in your water. To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?", that includes pH. When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing, like pH, and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if in your drinking water.
How do I adjust the pH of my well water?
Once you have tested and determined what the current pH level of your well water is, an acid or alkaline substances can be add to adjust the pH. For example, if the pH is too high (alkaline), you can add substances like vinegar or citric acid to lower the pH. On the other hand, if the pH is too low (acidic), you can add substances like baking soda or lime to raise the pH.
If you are unsure about adjusting the pH of your well water or if you encounter any difficulties, it is recommended to seek assistance from a local water systems expert or a professional contractor who specializes in well water.
Where can I get local help and information about iron in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional - we would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – they may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs, including yours, or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – the contractor that drilled your well, and other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby including high iron, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue .
Research online – you should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there may be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs”, “my state groundwater quality”, or “my state well water quality”.
Contact us directly – if these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (free service funded by USEPA).
Want to learn more about your private well and how to care for it?
Sign up for the free 10-week email course from PrivateWellClass.org. The class is a project of RCAP and the University of Illinois, with funding from USEPA.
Not finding the answer you need?
Send us a message in the chat or call us at 1-866-945-0699.