How to Test Your Water at Home: Complete Guide
Home water testing methods, what to test for, and how to interpret results.
Why test your own water
Your utility's annual report shows system-wide averages. Your tap water may differ due to building plumbing age, lead service lines, or neighborhood-level variation. Home testing gives you exact numbers for your address. This is especially important if your home was built before 1986 (lead solder) or you use a city with known PFAS issues.
Testing options
DIY test strips ($10-30): Quick screening for hardness, chlorine, pH, and iron. Moderate accuracy. Lab test kits ($30-200): You collect samples and mail them to a certified lab. High accuracy for specific contaminants including lead, PFAS, bacteria, and VOCs. Professional testing ($100-400): A technician collects samples and tests on site or sends to a lab. Most thorough but most expensive.
What to test for
At minimum: hardness (to determine softener needs), lead (especially in pre-1986 homes), and bacteria (if on a well). If your city has PFAS concerns, add PFAS testing. Annual retesting is recommended.