The Importance of Annual Water Testing for Private Wells in Western Pennsylvania

If you rely on a private well for your drinking water—as many homeowners in Western Pennsylvania do—safeguarding its quality is your responsibility. The EPA strongly recommends testing your well at least once per year for key contaminants and water quality indicators. Staying proactive helps ensure your family’s health and provides peace of mind.

➤ What the EPA Recommends

From the EPA’s Protect Your Home’s Water guide:

“Test your private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect the presence of other contaminants, you should test for those also”

The CDC reinforces this guidance, emphasizing certified labs and broader testing based on local concerns.

📝 Read more directly from the EPA here: Protect Your Home’s Water – EPA

What Keystone Castle Inspections Tests For

Aligned with EPA/CDC guidelines, here’s how our services match up—with added depth in the Advanced Test:

Standard Water Test

• Coliform & E. coli bacteria: Critical for identifying microbial contamination.

• Lead: Ingestion risks, especially from aging plumbing.

• Nitrates/Nitrites: Can result from agriculture or septic systems.

Advanced Water Test

(Includes all Standard Test items, plus):

• Manganese & Iron: Often harmless in small amounts, but high levels affect water taste, staining, and can harm health.

• Turbidity: Cloudiness that may indicate contamination pathways.

• pH Level: A shift in pH can corrode pipes, releasing harmful metals like lead.

Our testing mirrors the EPA’s minimum annual requirements (coliform, nitrates, total dissolved solids, pH), while our Standard and Advanced packages offer broader, practical protection.

Why Annual Testing Matters

• Subtle Changes Can Happen Quickly: Heavy rains, nearby construction, or septic issues can change water quality overnight.

• Health First: Infants, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to contaminants.

• Private Wells Aren’t Regulated: Unlike municipal water, private systems aren’t monitored—annual testing ensures safe drinking water.

Special Cases & Extra Contaminant Testing

The EPA notes that you should test more thoroughly if you experience:

• Changes in taste, odor, or clarity

• Recent flooding, plumbing updates, or nearby land disturbances

• Proximity to agricultural, industrial, or mining activity

If those circumstances apply, our Advanced Test gives you additional insight—making sure nothing unsafe slips through.

How to Schedule Your Annual Test

We’ve made scheduling easy and affordable:

• Choose:

  • Standard Test (EPA-recommended essentials)

  • Advanced Test (everything above, plus minerals, turbidity, and pH)

• Online: keystonecastleinspections.com/schedule-now

• Phone: Call 412‑204‑6149 

• Appointments: available Mon–Thurs to ensure 24‑hour refrigerated sample delivery

In Summary

Reason	Why It Matters
Authority	EPA & CDC recommend annual testing for key indicators.
Responsibility	Private wells lack regulation—annual tests fill that gap.
Protection	Early detection prevents contamination from becoming serious.
Precision	Standard tests align with EPA; Advanced catches more threats.

Stay ahead—protect your well and your family’s health with Keystone Castle Inspections. Schedule today!