Services
Well Water Testing in Danville, IL
Why Test a Private Well Before You Buy
A public water system is tested on a schedule by the utility. A private well is not tested by anyone unless the owner does it, and in Illinois the quality of a private well's water is the homeowner's responsibility. When you buy a home on a well, you are also buying its water, and the inspection period is the time to find out what is in it.
A home inspection covers the house: the roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical and appliances. It does not tell you whether the water coming out of the tap is safe to drink. That is what a water test is for. I offer water testing as an add-on to the full home inspection, so you get both answers from the same visit.
Town Water and Country Wells in Vermilion County
Inside Danville and most of the towns around it, homes are connected to public water. Drive a few miles out into the farm ground, though, and many homes rely on a private well. The same is true across rural Champaign, Edgar and the other counties I serve in East Central Illinois and West Central Indiana.
Country homes are often older, and so are their wells. Some are shallow, some have caps that have been damaged or buried over the years, and many sit near fields, barns or outbuildings. None of that means the water is bad, but it is why a test matters more on a rural purchase than on a home in town.
What the Water Test Looks For
A water quality analysis for bacteria, minerals, pH and contaminants
Bacteria
Coliform bacteria are the standard warning sign that surface water or other contamination is getting into a well. A cracked or loose well cap, an old shallow well, or a well close to where animals are kept can all let it in.
Minerals
Hard water and iron are common in wells across central Illinois. They are usually not a health issue, but they cause scale, staining and wear on water heaters and fixtures, which is worth knowing before you budget for a softener.
pH
Water that is too acidic can corrode copper and other plumbing over time. pH also affects which treatment equipment, if any, makes sense for the house.
Contaminants
Other contaminants can reach a well from the surface or the ground around it. In farm country, nitrate from fertilizer and manure is a common concern for shallow wells, and it matters most in homes with infants.
When a Water Test Makes Sense
- You are buying a home in the country that gets its water from a private well.
- Your lender asks for a water test. Some loan programs, including FHA and VA loans, can require one when the home is on a well.
- The house has been vacant and the well has not been used for a while.
- The water has a smell, a color or a taste, or it is staining sinks and fixtures.
- There has been flooding near the well, or the well cap is damaged or below ground level.
- Someone in the home is pregnant, or you have a baby on the way or at home.
Well Water Testing FAQ
Do homes inside Danville need a well water test?
Most homes inside Danville and the other towns in Vermilion County are on public water, which the water utility tests. A well water test is for homes that have their own private well, which is common on rural properties outside town.
Can I add water testing to my home inspection?
Yes. Water testing is one of the add-on services I offer with a full home inspection. Mention that the home is on a well when you book, and call 217-304-6547 if you have questions about timing.
Does a water test check the well pump and equipment?
No. A water test tells you about the quality of the water. The pump, pressure tank and how much water the well produces are a separate question, and a licensed water well contractor is the right person to evaluate them.
How often should a private well be tested after I move in?
The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends testing a private well at least once a year for coliform bacteria and nitrate, and again any time the water changes or the well is repaired.
Helpful Reading
Buying a home on a well? Call me at 217-304-6547 or use the contact page to schedule your inspection and water test.
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