How does WellWaterTrust actually work?

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.

Is WellWaterTrust free for homeowners?

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.

What are PFAS and why are they in my water?

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.

What are the new EPA limits for PFAS in drinking 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.

How often should I test my private well 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.

What is WQA certification and why does it matter?

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.

Do refrigerator or pitcher filters remove PFAS?

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.

What is the difference between Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Carbon filtration?

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.

How does lead get into drinking water?

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.

How much does a professional well water test cost?

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.

How much does a whole-house PFAS filtration system cost?

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.

How is WellWaterTrust different from Angi, Thumbtack, or HomeAdvisor?

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.

Are the network installers licensed and insured?

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.

What happens if I am not happy with the matched lab or installer?

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.

Does WellWaterTrust sell my information to other contractors or marketing lists?

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 Limits in Tap Water (2026)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams. They are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. As health concerns have mounted, the EPA has moved to regulate these substances in drinking water.

The EPA's 2024 Final Rule and 2026 Proposals

In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS. This rule set legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). For PFOA and PFOS, the limit was set extremely low: 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt). For PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA (GenX), the limit was 10 ppt.

However, regulatory timelines are shifting. As of May 2026, the EPA proposed an extension that could allow qualifying public water systems until 2031 to fully comply with PFOA and PFOS limits, though systems exceeding 12 ppt would need to implement interim control measures. The EPA also proposed rescinding the MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and the mixture Hazard Index to address procedural concerns.

What This Means for Public Water Users

Your water utility must conduct initial monitoring for PFAS by 2027.
Starting in 2027, utilities must notify the public of PFAS levels in their water.
Even if your water currently tests above the 4.0 ppt limit, the utility may not be required to have permanent filtration in place until 2029 or 2031.
If you want to remove PFAS from your drinking water immediately, you will need to install an in-home filtration system certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or P473.

What This Means for Private Well Owners

If you are one of the roughly 15 million U.S. households relying on a private well, the EPA regulations do not apply to you. Private wells are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This means no one is testing your water for PFAS or filtering it—except you.

The 2023 USGS study published in Environment International estimated that at least one type of PFAS is present in 45% of U.S. tap water, and concentrations in private wells were generally similar to public supplies. If you have a private well, scheduling an EPA Method 533 or 537.1 test through a certified lab is the only way to know your exposure.

What PFAS Limits Mean for Your Tap Water in 2026

The EPA's 2024 Final Rule and 2026 Proposals

What This Means for Public Water Users

What This Means for Private Well Owners

One request. ELAP-certified lab. Written report.

More water quality guides

How to Test a Private Well (and How Often)

Reverse Osmosis vs Whole-House Carbon for PFAS

Lead in Water: First-Draw vs Flushed Testing