Well Water Testing
SC & NC
Unlike public water systems, private wells are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA does not test your well, and neither does your county — testing is the owner's responsibility. Many well water contaminants cannot be detected by taste, smell, or appearance.
ClearFlow's trained specialists test your well water on-site for common well concerns — including nitrates, iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and hardness — and provide a written report of your results at no charge.
Why Well Water Is Different
City water users and well water users face fundamentally different risks.
Common Well Water Problems in SC & NC
SC and NC's coastal plain and Piedmont geology creates specific well water challenges. Here's what to watch for.
Rotten Egg Smell
Hydrogen sulfide from sulfur bacteria in your well or aquifer.
Learn MoreOrange / Rust Staining
Dissolved iron oxidizing on fixtures, tubs, and laundry.
Learn MoreNitrates
Agricultural fertilizer runoff — the EPA sets a limit of 10 mg/L.
Learn MoreHard Water
Scale on appliances, dry skin, spotted dishes.
Learn MoreManganese (Black Staining)
Dark deposits on sinks and fixtures from mineral-rich groundwater.
Learn MoreArsenic
Naturally occurring in some SC & NC bedrock; EPA limit is 10 ppb.
Learn MoreCloudy or Turbid Water
Sediment, bacteria, or disturbed aquifer — needs immediate testing.
Learn MoreTannin Discoloration
Brown or tea-colored water from organic matter — common in coastal SC & NC.
Learn MoreWhen Should You Test Your Well?
Every Year
- Coliform bacteria & E. coli
- Nitrates
- pH
- Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Every 3–5 Years
- Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, iron, manganese)
- PFAS / forever chemicals
- Pesticides & herbicides
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Test Immediately If:
- Water taste, smell, or appearance changes
- Flooding near your well
- Family illness that may be waterborne
- New agricultural activity nearby
Before Buying a Home
- Full panel including bacteria, metals, nitrates
- PFAS if near military/industrial areas
- Radon (Piedmont SC & NC)
- All SC DHEC / NC DWR recommended parameters
Well Water Testing by County
Well Water Testing — FAQ
Get Your Free Well Water Test
Find out what's in your well. Free, with no obligation to purchase.
Book Your Free
Water Quality Test
A trained specialist comes to your home, tests your water on-site, and provides a written report of your results — at no cost, with no obligation to purchase.
Our Offices Across SC & NC