Water Testing Guide: Home Kits, Lab Tests, and What to Test For
Quick Answer Testing water quality comes down to two approaches: Home test kits — fast, cheap ($10-$30), good for basic screening of pH, hardness, chlorine, some metals; but limited accuracy and coverage. Good for routine checks and peace of mind. Certified laboratory tests — accurate, comprehensive ($50-$250), the gold standard for drinking-water safety, especially for well water. Required to catch things kits miss (bacteria, pesticides, arsenic, nitrates, etc.) When to test: ...