Test your drinking water on a regular basis.

It is important to test your private well or spring for contaminants on a regular basis to make sure that it is safe to drink. If you are on public water, the Health Department recommends testing for lead. Learn about testing recommendations for public water

Recommended Private Drinking Water Testing Schedule

The Health Department recommends testing your water for bacteria, inorganic chemicals and gross alpha radiation. See the table below for more information on these drinking water contaminants.

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The three test kits are called the Vermont Homeowner Testing Package:

  • Bacteria (Kit A) $14 – test every year

  • Inorganic chemicals (Kit C) $100 – test every five years

  • Gross alpha radiation (Kit RA) $45 – test every five years

If you divide this cost over the course of 5 years, it would equal $3.60 per month.

Order the Vermont Homeowner Testing Package from the Health Department Laboratory or from a certified drinking water lab. You can also order a test for an individual contaminant, such as lead.

Order Drinking Water Test Kits

Contaminants to Test for in Private Drinking Water

This table gives you an overview of the contaminants that are tested for in the Vermont Homeowner Testing Package, which are the Health Department's recommendations for private drinking water.

Click on the link for each contaminant for more detailed information on health concerns, sources of the contaminant, what your test results mean, and treatment options.

There are other drinking water contaminants you may want to test for. Learn more about other concerns for private drinking water

Contaminant

When to Test

Why You Should Test

Possible Cause(s)

Coliform Bacteria
(Kit A)

Every year

Stomachaches, diarrhea, GI (gastrointestinal) diseases

Surface water intrusion, septic leachate, agriculture runoff

Arsenic
(Kit C)

Every five years

Increases risk of bladder, lung or skin cancer

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Chloride
(Kit C)

Every five years

Chloride may indicate other contaminants are present in the water

Septic leachate, road salt

Copper (flush)
(Kit C)

Every five years

Stomachaches, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage in young children

Leaches from plumbing and fixtures due to corrosive water

Fluoride
(Kit C)

Every five years

Fluoride levels above 4 mg/L can cause bone disease. Fluoride levels above 2 mg/L can cause staining or pitting of teeth. Optimal fluoride levels of 0.7 mg/L prevent tooth decay.

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Hardness
(Kit C)

Every five years

Causes scale buildup in pipes and fixtures, gray staining of washed clothes

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Iron
(Kit C)

Every five years

Unpleasant odors, stains and tastes

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Lead (first draw and flush)
(Kit C)

Every five years

Damage to brain, kidneys and nervous system

Leaches from plumbing and fixtures due to corrosive water

Manganese
(Kit C)

Every five years

Damage to the nervous system (memory, attention and motor skills) when consumed over a long period of time, infants may develop learning and behavior problems

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Nitrate/Nitrite
(Kit C)

Every five years. If present above 5 mg/L: Every 3-6 months

Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants

Fertilized agricultural fields, septic leachate, compost piles

Sodium
(Kit C)

Every five years

Sodium may indicate other contaminants are present in the water, can be harmful to those on limited sodium diets

Septic leachate, road salt, water softeners

Gross Alpha Radiation
(Kit RA)

Every five years

Cancer risk

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Uranium
(Kit C)

Every five years

Kidney damage

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Other Concerns for Private Drinking Water

There are some contaminants in the table below that are not on a recommended schedule for testing by the Health Department, but may be a concern to you. 

Click on the link for each contaminant for more detailed information on health concerns, sources of the contaminant, what your test results mean, and treatment options.

Contaminant

How to test

Why You Should Test

Possible Cause(s)

Hydrogen Sulfide
(rotten egg smell)

Isolate the source of the smell

Gas in the air can be hazardous at high levels, can indicate sewage or other pollution intrusion in drinking water

Naturally occurring in some soil and rock as a byproduct of decay, produced by sulfur bacteria in the water system, water pollution (in rare cases)

PFAS
(including PFOA)

Private labs can test for PFAS

Child development, infertility, increased cancer risk, and interference with hormones, the immune system and cholesterol levels

Chemicals used in industry and commercial products

Radon

Vermont Dept of Health Lab
Kit RC
(Learn more about testing for radon in air)

Stomach cancer, lung cancer

Naturally occurring in some bedrock and soils in Vermont

Organic Chemicals
(volatile, synthetic, pesticides)

Vermont Dept of Health Lab
Kit OL or Kit OA

Cancer, cardiovascular problems, reproductive issues, liver problems

Chemicals from human activities including agriculture, chemical spills, manufacturing sites

    More Information
    Image
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    Download a copy of the Health Department's private drinking water testing recommendations
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    Watch a step-by-step video on how to test your drinking water
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    Search an A-Z list of water contaminants
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    See a complete list of tests available at the Health Department Laboratory
    Contact Us

    Private Drinking Water Program

    Phone: 802-489-7339

    Email: AHS.VDHEnvHealth@Vermont.gov

    Last Updated: March 20, 2023