Water Testing in Central Virginia — Free On-Site Plus Lab Options
New house. New well. Real estate transaction. Baby on the way. Home inspection that flagged something. There are a lot of good reasons to want a proper water test — and a lot of bad DIY kits that tell you almost nothing. We’ve been testing Central Virginia water since 1960.
Free on-site test for the big stuff (hardness, iron, pH, chlorine, TDS). Lab-certified reports available for coliform, nitrates, PFAS, and heavy metals. No pressure to install anything.
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Or call us now: (434) 505-4780
Otter Guys Plumbing was great to work with. Communication was clear from the start. When Ty and Don arrived, they were kind and easy to interact with. They took the time to communicate clearly through every step: diagnosing the problem, explaining what was going on, what the potential issues were, and what needed to happen moving forward. They educated us about the situation instead of just telling us what to do. Pricing was communicated clearly the whole way through. We were given all the pricing options, what they suggested, and why. Everything felt transparent and straightforward, and we didn’t feel pressured to do more than was necessary. I would absolutely recommend them.
Why Central Virginia homeowners choose The Otter Guys for water testing
65+ years testing Central Virginia water
We’ve tested thousands of wells and city water connections across Charlottesville, Crozet, Earlysville, Keswick, and the surrounding counties — from 1960s-era hand-dug wells to new-construction drilled wells.
Free on-site test AND certified lab reports
Our free on-site test covers what drives most treatment decisions — hardness, iron, pH, chlorine, TDS. For biological testing (coliform, E. coli), nitrates, PFAS, lead, or arsenic, we pull a sample and send it to a certified lab. Lab-certified reports run $150 per panel. We handle chain of custody.
In-house installers, not subcontractors
The same crew that installs your system services it and honors the warranty. The tech who ties into your main line is the one you call if anything needs attention later — we don’t hand you off to a third-party installer and disappear.
Certified Lab Partners
Accredited labs for coliform, nitrates, PFAS
Licensed & Insured
VA License #2705181379
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited business
Charlottesville’s Finest
Gold Award 2023–2025
Reasons people call us for water testing
Buying or Selling a Home with a Well
Real estate transactions often require coliform/E. coli, nitrate, and lead testing on well water. We handle the sample collection and certified lab chain of custody.
New Construction or New Well
Every newly drilled well should be tested for coliform, nitrates, and basic chemistry before first use. Builder or driller may have handed you an expired test — we run a current one.
Pregnancy or a New Baby in the Household
Pregnant mothers and infants are more sensitive to nitrates and some heavy metals than adults. A full baseline test gives you peace of mind — and tells you whether a point-of-use RO system would be worthwhile.
Concerns About PFAS, Lead, or Contaminants
Specific contaminant worries — news story, neighbor’s well coming back bad, plumbing that might be pre-1986 — all worth a certified lab panel. We’ll recommend which panel fits your concern.
Noticing Something Off (Taste, Smell, Color)
If your water has changed — new taste, new smell, new color — something changed in the well or the municipal supply. The test finds it.
Annual Well Maintenance
Responsible well ownership means testing at least once a year for coliform and basic chemistry. We can set up a yearly reminder and handle the test on schedule.
Trusted by 6,000+ Central Virginia homeowners
“Malak was very knowledgeable and repaired my water heater very quickly. He even gave me a free water evaluation. Yikes! I had no idea that much chlorine and bacteria were in my water. The Otter Guys are the best.”Denise Dezio Google Review
“Malec was our tech. He was very thorough in his investigation to our water heater problem and water quality check. He respected our home and gave advice on what to expect next. Otter Guys offered us 4 solutions and Malec talked us through where it would be best to start to solve our situation and not just put a bandaid on it. I would highly recommend Otter Guys for their techs professionalism and timely service.”Luke Davies Google Review
“Really really great service. I felt seen and like they were going to make sure I was fully taken care of. I had been told they were a great experience, and now have my own story to back it up.”Christy Scott Google Review
Here’s exactly what happens when you call
Free on-site water test
A technician tests your water on-site for the chemistry that drives treatment decisions — hardness, iron, pH, chlorine, TDS. Takes 15–30 minutes. You see your actual numbers. No installation pressure.
Lab-certified sample collection (if needed)
For coliform, E. coli, nitrates, PFAS, lead, or arsenic panels, the technician pulls a sample following certified chain-of-custody procedures and sends it to an accredited lab. Lab reports typically come back in 5–10 business days. $150 per panel.
Clear written report with recommendations
We walk you through the on-site results on the spot. Lab results come via email when they’re in. If anything needs treatment, you get a written recommendation — and you can take it to any installer (including us). No obligation.
Want to Know What’s Actually in Your Water? Free Test.
On-site test free. Lab-certified panels (coliform, nitrates, PFAS, lead, heavy metals) $150. Either way, you get honest numbers and a plain-English explanation of what they mean — no installation pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The free on-site test covers chemistry that drives treatment decisions — hardness (grains per gallon), iron (ppm), pH, chlorine, TDS, turbidity. You get the numbers on the spot. A lab-certified test is for contaminants that need accredited analysis — coliform/E. coli, nitrates, PFAS, lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals. Lab tests take 5–10 business days and start at $150 per panel.
For most Central Virginia real estate transactions involving a well, the buyer’s lender or inspector will require a coliform/E. coli test (required) and often a nitrate and lead panel as well (common). We handle the sample collection following certified chain-of-custody procedures and can turn the report around in 5–7 business days for most panels.
Depends on what you’re trying to know. Bacteria-only (coliform + E. coli): the baseline for any well. Standard well panel: adds nitrates, pH, hardness, iron, manganese. Full contaminant panel: adds lead, arsenic, uranium, and other heavy metals — for new homes, old plumbing, or specific concerns. PFAS panel: standalone for forever-chemical concerns. We’ll recommend the right one based on your situation.
Annually for coliform/E. coli and nitrates at minimum. Every 3–5 years for a broader well panel. Immediately if something changes (new taste, smell, color, or a nearby contamination event). New wells and newly bought houses should be tested once before use, even if the builder or seller hands you a report.
Depends on what failed. Coliform: shock chlorination of the well, sometimes UV or chlorine injection. Nitrates: point-of-use RO for drinking. PFAS or lead: carbon plus RO, or whole-home depending on level. We walk you through options with a written recommendation. You can install with us or take the recommendation to any other contractor — no obligation.
Coliform/E. coli: 2–3 business days. Standard well panel: 5–7 business days. Full contaminant or PFAS panels: 7–10 business days. Rush turnaround available on some panels for an extra fee if you’re on a real estate closing timeline.
Whether it’s a real estate closing, a new baby, or just a gut feeling that something in your water is off — we’ll get you real numbers. Free on-site test. Certified lab panels when you need them. No installation pressure either way.