Most South Carolina well owners have never had their water tested — or tested it once when the well was drilled and not since. That's a mistake. Your well water quality isn't static: it can change over time as the aquifer, your system, or your surroundings change. Testing is cheap (or free), easy, and the only way to know what you're actually drinking.
What Should You Test Your Well Water For?
Well water testing falls into two categories: health-based parameters (things that can make you sick) and aesthetic parameters (things that affect taste, odor, staining, and appliance performance). Both matter, but for different reasons.
Health-Based Parameters to Test
- Coliform bacteria — The most important annual test. Total coliform bacteria indicate whether surface contamination has entered your well. E. coli specifically indicates fecal contamination. Both require immediate action if detected. Required for new wells in SC; should be tested annually for all wells.
- Nitrates — Important if you have agricultural land nearby, a septic system within 100 feet, or if any infants drink the water. High nitrates are dangerous for infants under 6 months (blue baby syndrome). Test at least every 2–3 years or when conditions change.
- Manganese — At elevated levels, manganese has documented neurological health implications (particularly for children and during pregnancy). Commonly co-occurs with iron in SC wells. Worth testing if your water has a dark brown or black staining component along with orange iron staining.
- pH — Affects corrosivity of the water. Low pH water can leach lead and copper from household plumbing. Should be part of any basic well test.
Aesthetic Parameters Worth Testing
- Iron — Staining, taste, appliance damage. Very common in SC. See our full iron guide.
- Hardness (calcium and magnesium) — Scale, soap performance, appliance lifespan. Nearly universal in Piedmont SC counties. See our hard water guide.
- Hydrogen sulfide — The sulfur smell. Common in Coastal Plain counties. See our sulfur water guide.
- Tannins — Brown or tea-colored water. Common near marshland and in Horry County and coastal areas.
- Total dissolved solids (TDS) — A broad measure of mineral content. High TDS affects taste and is a general indicator worth knowing.
How Often Should You Test Your Well Water?
- Annually: Coliform bacteria and nitrates — the two tests that tell you about contamination risk
- Every 2–3 years (or when you notice changes): Full chemistry panel — iron, hardness, pH, manganese, TDS, and any other parameters relevant to your area
- Immediately: If your water changes in color, taste, odor, or clarity; if you experience flooding near your well; if any nearby construction, agriculture, or spills have occurred
- When buying a home: Always test before closing on any home with a private well — results should be part of the inspection process
How to Get Free Water Analysis from Austin Drilling
Austin Drilling provides free water analysis as part of our well service. Here's how it works:
- Collect a water sample in a clean container from your kitchen tap (let the water run for 2 minutes first to flush the line). We can provide sample containers if needed.
- Bring the sample to our office, or we collect one during a site visit.
- We test for iron, hardness, pH, and common aesthetic parameters — and discuss results with you honestly.
- If treatment makes sense for what we find, we'll recommend a properly sized system. If your water is already good, we'll tell you that too.
Our analysis is a starting point for water quality conversations — not a sales pitch. We test what's in your water, then have an honest conversation about whether treatment is warranted.
Note: For bacterial testing (coliform), samples need to be collected in sterile bottles and processed quickly. We can coordinate this as part of a site visit, or refer you to the SCDHEC-certified labs for formal bacterial testing.
When to Go Beyond a Basic Analysis
For most SC well owners, iron, hardness, pH, and bacteria are the parameters that matter. But certain situations warrant more comprehensive testing:
- Agricultural area with active pesticide use nearby — test for pesticide/herbicide panel
- Near a dry cleaner, gas station, or industrial facility — test for VOCs
- Home purchase — comprehensive panel gives you full picture before closing
- Radon concern — SC has some elevated radon areas; radon can dissolve in groundwater
For comprehensive testing beyond basic chemistry, SCDHEC's certified lab list is available at dhec.sc.gov. Many university extension services also offer discounted testing for agricultural properties.
Get Your Free Water Analysis
Call us or bring a water sample to our office. We test for the parameters most relevant to South Carolina well water and give you honest answers about what you're dealing with.