15 direct answers about testing and filtration.

You tell us where you live and whether you are on a private well or municipal water. We route your request to a vetted water-testing lab or WQA-credentialed filtration installer in our network who serves your ZIP code. They contact you, offer an EPA-method test or a free filtration quote, and you choose whether to hire them—no obligation.

Yes. Homeowners never pay WellWaterTrust anything. Labs and installers in our network pay us a referral fee only when they win your business. You evaluate their quote the same way you would any pro, and if it doesn't work for you, you walk away with no cost.

General networks sell your contact info to 3-5 contractors, leading to a flood of sales calls. We route your request to exactly one vetted professional (lab or installer) who specializes in water quality. One conversation, one assessment, one quote.

No. Your contact details go to exactly one matched lab or installer who has been vetted for your needs. We do not sell to data brokers, broadcast to multiple contractors, or add you to marketing lists.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made 'forever chemicals' used in non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and stain-resistant fabrics. They do not break down in the environment and have seeped into groundwater and municipal water supplies nationwide, affecting an estimated 45% of U.S. tap water.

In 2024, the EPA finalized limits (MCLs) of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS, and 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX. However, public water utilities may have until 2031 to fully comply with permanent filtration, and these rules do not apply to private wells at all.

Usually no. Most standard refrigerator and pitcher filters are only certified to improve taste and odor by reducing chlorine. To remove PFAS, a filter must specifically hold NSF/ANSI 53 or P473 certification for PFAS reduction.

Lead rarely comes from the municipal water plant or your private well. It leaches into the water from old service lines, lead solder used in pipes, or brass fixtures inside your own home, especially when water sits stagnant overnight.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) absorbs chemicals and is great for whole-house filtration but requires frequent filter changes. Reverse Osmosis (RO) forces water through a microscopic membrane, removing >99% of contaminants including PFAS and heavy metals, but is usually only installed at the kitchen sink because it is slow and wastes water.

The CDC and EPA recommend testing your private well at least once a year. Annual tests should cover coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH. You should test immediately if you notice changes in water taste, odor, or color.

A comprehensive EPA-method test from an ELAP-certified lab typically costs $150 to $350, depending on the number of contaminants checked. Testing for PFAS usually adds to the cost because the lab equipment (Method 533) is highly specialized.

A certified whole-house carbon system typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 installed. An under-sink Reverse Osmosis system for drinking water costs $400 to $800 installed. Prices vary based on home size, water chemistry, and local plumbing rates.

The Water Quality Association (WQA) provides independent, professional certification for water treatment installers. It ensures the installer understands water chemistry, proper sizing of filtration equipment, and local plumbing codes. Every installer we route to must hold a current WQA or equivalent credential.

Yes. Every installer in our network must hold a current state plumber's or contractor's license (where required), current liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage. We re-verify these credentials annually.

Tell us immediately. We will investigate within 5 business days, route you to a different professional, and remove contractors from the network for confirmed quality or conduct issues. You are never locked in.