Well Water Testing — Free On-Site Test for Your Well
Funny taste, new stain in the sink, a baby on the way, a real estate closing, or you just moved in and have no idea what’s in your well — whatever brought you here, we’ll get you real numbers. No DIY kit guesswork. No pressure to install anything.
We test your well water on-site for iron, pH, sulfur, hardness, and more. Results while you watch — free, no obligation.
Same-day well water testing available — call before noon.
Request Your Free Well Water Test
Leave your number and we’ll call within 15 minutes to schedule.
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.
When to test your well water
You just bought a home with a well
A new well is a black box until someone tests it. The seller’s old test — if there even was one — doesn’t tell you what’s in your water right now.
You’re selling a home (real estate requirement)
Most Central VA lenders and inspectors require a coliform/E. coli test on well water, often with nitrates and lead. We handle the sample collection and certified chain of custody.
You noticed a change in taste, smell, or color
If your well water suddenly tastes metallic, smells like rotten eggs, or has a new orange or blue-green tint, something changed. The test finds it.
It’s been more than a year since your last test
VA DEQ recommends testing private wells at least once a year for coliform, nitrates, and basic chemistry. If you’re overdue, you’re overdue.
Certified Lab Partners
Accredited labs for coliform, PFAS, nitrates
Licensed & Insured
VA License #2705181379
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited business
Charlottesville’s Finest
Gold Award 2023–2025
What we test your well water for
Iron & Manganese
Orange or brown staining on sinks, tubs, and laundry. Metallic taste. Manganese can leave black specks.
pH / Acidity
Acidic water (low pH) causes blue-green stains on fixtures and slowly corrodes copper pipes. Common in Central VA wells.
Hardness
Scale buildup on faucets, glassware spots, soap that won’t lather, dry skin and hair after showering.
Sulfur / Hydrogen Sulfide
Rotten egg smell, especially from the hot water tap. Can also tarnish silver and corrode some metals.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
A general measure of everything dissolved in your water. High TDS can indicate mineral content, salt, or contamination.
Bacteria / Coliform
Health risk — coliform and E. coli indicate well contamination. Requires a certified lab panel. We collect the sample.
Trusted by 6,000+ Charlottesville 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
Schedule your free well water test
Call (434) 505-4780 or submit the form. Same-day appointments available — call before noon for today’s slot.
Our tech arrives with professional testing equipment
On-site well water testing takes 15–30 minutes. We test for iron, pH, hardness, chlorine, sulfur, TDS, and turbidity right at your kitchen tap.
We walk you through results right there
You’ll see exactly what’s in your well water. Your tech explains every number in plain English — no jargon, no sales pitch. If treatment is needed, you get a written recommendation with upfront pricing. No pressure — test-only is completely fine.
Worried About Your Well Water? Find Out for Free.
Free on-site well water test. You get real numbers and a plain-English explanation of what they mean — no jargon, no sales pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our free well water testing covers iron, pH, hardness, TDS, chlorine, sulfur, and turbidity — the chemistry that drives most treatment decisions. Results in 15–30 minutes, on the spot. No charge, no obligation to install anything.
Depends on your situation. The free on-site test covers chemistry that drives treatment. A certified lab test is needed for bacteria (coliform/E. coli), lead, and other heavy metals. Most real estate transactions involving a well require at least a coliform/E. coli panel. We’ll recommend the right one based on what you’re trying to know.
VA DEQ recommends testing private wells annually for coliform/E. coli and nitrates at minimum, with a broader chemistry panel every 3–5 years. Test immediately if you notice a change in taste, smell, or color — or if there’s a contamination event nearby.
You get a written recommendation explaining exactly what failed and what your options are. Coliform: shock chlorination, sometimes UV or chlorine injection. Nitrates: point-of-use RO for drinking water. Iron / sulfur / hardness: appropriate whole-home treatment. No obligation — install with us or take the recommendation to any other contractor.
15–30 minutes from the time we arrive. We test at your kitchen tap, walk you through every number, and answer questions. Lab samples (if you need one) take an extra 5 minutes to collect.
Whatever’s going on with your well water, we’ve seen it before. 65+ years of well water testing across Central Virginia — from 1960s-era hand-dug wells in Albemarle to new drilled wells in Fluvanna. You don’t have to figure this out alone.