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WATER SAMPLING
Water may appear clean and clear, but invisible contaminants can pose significant health risks. From private wells to aging plumbing systems, water quality concerns are more common than many homeowners realize.
We provide professional water testing services to help homeowners, prospective buyers, and sellers assess their water quality and determine whether their drinking water meets applicable safety standards.
What's In Your Water?
Many water contaminants are odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making professional water testing the most reliable way to determine what is present in your home's drinking water.
Water testing can help identify potential water quality concerns, including:
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Contaminants introduced through aging, deteriorating, or corroding plumbing systems.
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Harmful bacteria and microorganisms that cannot be detected through taste, smell, or appearance.
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Agricultural and industrial runoff that may impact groundwater sources.
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Changes in water quality that may occur between annual public water quality reports.
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Contaminants in private well water, which is not subject to the same regulatory oversight or routine monitoring as public water supplies.
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Water quality conditions that may affect your household's health, plumbing, and appliances over time.
Routine water testing provides homeowners with valuable insight into their water quality, allowing them to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to protect their household. It offers greater confidence, peace of mind, and control over the quality of the water they rely on every day.
Water can be tested for a wide range of minerals and contaminants. One of the most common testing options is the Potability and the VA/FHA/USDA Water Tests, which evaluates the water for common quality and safety concerns. If contaminants are identified, appropriate water treatment or conditioning systems may be available to address them. A potability water test is also commonly required by mortgage lenders.
Water Testing Options
Potability Testing
Which tests for:
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Bacteria
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Nitrates
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pH
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Turbidity
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Iron
VA/FHA/USDA Testing
Which tests for:
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Bacteria
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Nitrates/Nitrites
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pH
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Turbidity
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Lead
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Iron
Arsenic
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can enter groundwater through geological deposits and agricultural contamination. Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk and contribute to skin and circulatory problems.
Bacteria / E-Coli & Total Choliform
Total Coliform / E. Coli (Escherichaia coli)
Total coliform bacteria are commonly found in soil, plants, and the environment. Their presence in drinking water can indicate potential contamination from surface water, runoff, or defects in well or septic systems, creating a possible pathway for harmful microorganisms.
E. coli is a type of fecal bacteria found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. Its presence in drinking water indicates fecal contamination and the potential presence of harmful disease-causing microorganisms.
Potential Health Risks
Contaminated drinking water may expose individuals to pathogens that can cause:
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Gastrointestinal Illness, Fever and Dehydration, Waterborne Diseases and in some cases, infants, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness, kidney complications, and potentially life-threatening infections.
Cadmium
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Cadmium may enter drinking water through plumbing materials and industrial contamination. Exposure can cause kidney damage. Testing is required for Certificates of Potability in certain areas of Anne Arundel County when water pH is below 6.0.
Chlorides
Turnaround Time: 3 Business Days
Chlorides may enter groundwater through saltwater intrusion or road salt applications. Elevated levels can contribute to plumbing corrosion and damage fixtures and pipes.
Copper
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Copper typically enters drinking water through corrosion of copper plumbing and fixtures. Elevated levels may cause bluish-green staining and unpleasant tastes. Excessive exposure can lead to gastrointestinal issues and, in severe cases, liver and kidney damage.
Gross Alpha
Turnaround Time: 6 Business Days
Gross Alpha testing measures radioactive activity from naturally occurring elements, including uranium and radium. Elevated results may require additional testing to identify specific radionuclides. Exposure to certain radionuclides can increase cancer risk.
Lead
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Lead may enter drinking water through corroding plumbing systems, fixtures, or naturally occurring deposits. Exposure can affect neurological development and kidney function. Lead testing is required by many VA, FHA, and USDA mortgage underwriters.
Testing is recommended every three years, or more frequently if previous results indicate elevated lead levels.
Lead Sampling Instructions
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Vacant homes: Run cold water from the kitchen faucet for one hour the day before sampling.
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Occupied homes: Place a towel over the kitchen sink the evening before sampling. Do not use the kitchen sink until the sample has been collected. Our sampler must be the first to run water from the kitchen sink on the day of collection.
Fluoride
Turnaround Time: 10 Business Days
Fluoride occurs naturally in groundwater and is also added to some public water supplies to help prevent tooth decay. Excessive exposure can contribute to dental and skeletal fluorosis. Testing private well water is recommended before taking fluoride supplements.
Hardness
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Water hardness is primarily caused by elevated calcium and magnesium levels. Hard water can cause mineral buildup, soap scum, plumbing deposits, and scaling on appliances and glassware.
Iron
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Iron is a naturally occurring mineral commonly found in groundwater. Elevated levels can cause reddish-orange staining, unpleasant tastes, and odors.
Manganese
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral found in groundwater. Elevated levels can cause brown or black staining, unpleasant tastes, and odors.
Nitrates
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Nitrates commonly enter groundwater through agricultural fertilizers and septic system contamination. Testing is recommended for private wells that have not been previously tested or have shown elevated results. High nitrate levels pose particular health risks to infants and pregnant women.
Nitrites
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Nitrites can enter groundwater through agricultural runoff, fertilizers, and wastewater contamination. Elevated levels can interfere with the blood's ability to transport oxygen, posing a particular risk to infants.
pH
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Water pH measures its acidity or alkalinity. Acidic water can accelerate corrosion of plumbing systems, water heaters, and fixtures. Low pH can often be corrected with an appropriate water treatment system.
PFAS
Turnaround Time: Roughly 30 Business Days
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer, commercial, and industrial products. These chemicals are highly persistent in the environment, and exposure to certain PFAS has been linked to adverse health effects.
This test screens for 18 commonly monitored PFAS compounds.
Radon in Water
Turnaround Time: 7 Business Days
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be present in groundwater. During activities such as showering, bathing, and cooking, radon can be released into indoor air. Exposure contributes to overall radon levels and may increase the risk of lung cancer.
Radium 226/228
Turnaround Time: 10 Business Days
Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that may be present in groundwater. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of cancer. Additional testing is recommended when Gross Alpha results fall between 5–15 pCi/L.
County Resources: Anne Arundel County Radium Map | Baltimore County Radium Map /Howard County Radium Map
Road Brine / Salt
Turnaround Time: 3 Business Days
Road salts and liquid brine treatments, including sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride, are commonly used for winter road maintenance. These substances can enter groundwater and affect private wells.
This testing package includes Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chlorides, and conductivity.
Sampling Fee: An additional $125 fee per property visit applies when Home Land conducts sample collection.
Saltwater Intrusion
Turnaround Time: 3 Business Days
Saltwater intrusion occurs when saline water enters freshwater aquifers, potentially affecting private drinking water supplies. This testing package includes Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chlorides, conductivity, and hardness.
Recommended for properties near waterways and coastal areas susceptible to saltwater intrusion.
Sulfate
Turnaround Time: 5 Business Days
Sulfate occurs naturally in groundwater. Elevated concentrations may cause bitter tastes and contribute to plumbing corrosion.
Turbidity
Turnaround Time: 2 Business Days
Turbidity measures the clarity of water by detecting suspended particles. Elevated turbidity may indicate sediment, mineral buildup, or potential surface water contamination.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Turnaround Time: 7 Business Days
VOCs are carbon-based chemicals commonly associated with industrial, commercial, and fuel-related contamination. Testing is recommended when there is concern about chemical or man-made contaminants. Professional sample collection is strongly recommended.
Lead Instructions
Vacant Homes: Run cold water from the kitchen faucet for one hour the day before sampling.
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Occupied Homes: Place a plastic bag over the kitchen sink the evening before sampling as a reminder NOT to run that faucet until our technician has collected the sample. Our technician must be the first to run water from the kitchen faucet on the day of collection.
Important: Failure to follow these instructions may require a return visit and result in an additional collection fee of $125.00 +.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice are subject to a $125 fee, and the same fee applies if the home is winterized upon our arrival.