I want to test my water, but how does it work?
After you have determined which kit will best meet your testing needs:

1. You order a kit from one of the following locations
   • Online at www.h2otest.com
   • Call us at 1-800-433-6595
2. We will send you a kit including sample bottles (courier service is available in some areas).
3. Return samples using an overnight carrier.
4. We analyze the samples and send you the report.

While it is certainly possible to test for everything, this approach is very impractical because it is an expensive and time-consuming process. (Imagine going to the doctor and having him test you for EVERYTHING imaginable rather than assessing your symptoms, history and lifestyle.)

The EPA recommends that everyone test for coliform bacteria, nitrate and lead. We provide packages that include these vital contaminants as well as other common indicators of contamination.

The best approach is to look at indicators of a problem, (See our interactive quiz for help here) and then start with basic, GENERAL tests. If the basic tests come out fine, you're done! If the basic tests show trouble, you can proceed from there and order a more specific test to pinpoint your problem.

If you are unsure where to begin, or have a specific problem or concern, just call our technical assistance line at (610) 929-2920, and a laboratory technician will be happy to help you.

Because contaminants seep into groundwater and can affect your drinking supply and this can change without your awareness. Well water must be tested on a regular basis.

Yes. As rain trickles through the ground, it does become cleaner. Wetlands also help remove impurities. Unfortunately, wetlands are being diminished. Gas stations, shopping malls, grazing, mining, oil exploration, forestry; all impair nature's ability to purify water. Some large sources of water have become reservoirs for pollution. This occurs as sediments in rivers and lakes retain toxic chemicals from years gone by, and as they absorb new chemicals being dumped. Large bodies of water can absorb pollution from the air when particulate matter in rain and snow is deposited in them. The Great Lakes may have acquired as much as half of their pollutants from aerial sources.

Because there is NO ONE filter that will correct EVERY water problem. For example, you can filter out minerals and still have bacteria. In fact, a cheap filter can become so loaded with bacteria in a few weeks that what comes out of it may be worse than what came in. If your water needs treatment, it must be treated for your specific problem.

You don't. It is almost impossible to say before installing the system and sending the filtered water to a testing company for verification. Variations of water condition can affect the performance of a filter. Maintenance issues within your filter can also change its effectiveness. The only way to know if your filter is working is to have your water tested on an ongoing basis.

Because those companies are not in the water testing business, they are in the business of selling water filters. This creates a conflict of interests, and you may wind up spending money to treat a problem that doesn't exist. It is best to use an independent, certified lab, and deal directly with that lab. This way, there is no conflict of interests. Suburban Water testing does not sell water treatment products, nor are they affiliated with anyone who does. 

There are many potential causes of water contamination. Here are just a few things that could be near you:
• Mines
• Gas Stations
• Industrial Facilities
• Old Cemeteries
• Farm fields
• Dumps
• Improper disposal of paints, motor oils, etc. on private land.•
• Recreational use of the public water supply.
• Lead pipes in the home.
• Septic Systems
• Acid Rain
• Decaying Matter or other natural contamination
• Etc.
Water can travel hundreds of miles in underground rivers or aquifiers.

While there are many specific types of contamination, it can be sorted out into four broad categories: Different types of contamination require different solutions.
• Microbial Pollutants (Such as bacteria.)
• Inorganic Chemical Pollutants (IOCs) (Usually of mineral origin.)
• Organic Chemical Pollutants (Man made chemicals.)
• Radiological Pollutants (Radioactivity.)

They worry because tiny amounts of certain contaminants may slowly cause cancer or other diseases over a lifetime. Often water with a low level of contamination may have no adverse affect on healthy adults, but it can cause SEVERE symptoms in babies, children, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems. Why risk irreversible damage when it is so easy to test your water?

All of our kits simply involve collecting water samples. The directions are easy to understand and follow. The lab will do the rest.Click here to see a sample kit and its instructions.

Our tests are designed to be easy to understand. Click here to see a sample report.

There are two types of water problems: Primary problems -- the dangerous sort of problem and Aesthetic problems -- things that affect the taste, look or smell of the water. Strange as it may seem, you could have an aesthetic problem (such as detectable chlorine) which may not pose an actual health risk.

Suburban Water Testing makes sure that you not only understand any problems that you find, but we are happy to discuss available water treatment solutions or technologies available without endorsing any particular brands. This gives you the best of both worlds, solid information and freedom of choice.