Understanding Your Water Test Results: A Guide for Colorado Well Owners

When you receive water test results for your private well, the report can sometimes look like a confusing jumble of scientific terms, numbers, and abbreviations. Understanding what these results mean is crucial for ensuring your water is safe, identifying potential problems, and making informed decisions about water treatment.

In this guide, we’ll break down common water test parameters, explain safe levels, and help you understand what actions you might need to take based on your results.

Common Water Test Parameters and What They Mean

Bacteria

Total Coliform Bacteria

• What it is: A group of bacteria that serves as an indicator of possible contamination
• Safe level: Absent/0 count
• What high levels mean: Potential contamination from surface water, sewage, or animal waste
• Possible actions: Shock chlorination, disinfection system installation, well inspection for entry points

E. coli

• What it is: A type of fecal coliform bacteria indicating contamination with human or animal waste
• Safe level: Absent/0 count
• What high levels mean: Serious contamination risk; water is unsafe to drink
• Possible actions: Immediate alternative water source, well disinfection, system inspection

Chemical Parameters

Nitrate/Nitrite

• What it is: Compounds from fertilizers, animal waste, or natural deposits
• Safe level: Below 10 mg/L for nitrate, below 1 mg/L for nitrite
• What high levels mean: Potential health risk, especially for infants and pregnant women
• Possible actions: Treatment with reverse osmosis or distillation; identify and address source

pH

• What it is: Measure of acidity/alkalinity (0-14 scale)
• Safe level: 6.5-8.5
• What high levels mean: Alkaline water (>8.5) can cause scale buildup
• What low levels mean: Acidic water (<6.5) can corrode plumbing and leach metals
• Possible actions: Neutralizing filters, acid neutralizers

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

• What it is: Combined content of all inorganic and organic substances in water
• Safe level: Below 500 mg/L
• What high levels mean: Potential taste issues, mineral buildup in plumbing
• Possible actions: Water softener, reverse osmosis system

Minerals and Metals

Hardness (Calcium and Magnesium)

• What it is: Natural minerals that cause scale buildup
• Ranges:
  • Soft: 0-60 mg/L
  • Moderately Hard: 61-120 mg/L
  • Hard: 121-180 mg/L
  • Very Hard: >180 mg/L
• What high levels mean: Scale buildup, reduced soap effectiveness, potential appliance damage
• Possible actions: Water softener installation

Iron

• What it is: Naturally occurring mineral in groundwater
• Secondary standard: 0.3 mg/L
• What high levels mean: Rusty color, metallic taste, staining, potential bacterial growth
• Possible actions: Iron filter, water softener, chlorination

Manganese

• What it is: Naturally occurring mineral often found with iron
• Secondary standard: 0.05 mg/L
• What high levels mean: Black staining, bitter taste
• Possible actions: Oxidizing filter, water softener

Lead

• What it is: Toxic metal that can leach from old plumbing
• Safe level: 0 (action level: 0.015 mg/L)
• What any detection means: Health risk, especially for children
• Possible actions: Replace plumbing, install certified filter, run water before use

Arsenic

• What it is: Naturally occurring element in rock formations
• Safe level: Below 0.010 mg/L
• What high levels mean: Serious health risk with long-term exposure
• Possible actions: Reverse osmosis, special arsenic treatment systems

Uranium and Radon

• What it is: Naturally occurring radioactive elements common in Colorado geology
• Safe level: Below 30 µg/L for uranium, below 4,000 pCi/L for radon in water
• What high levels mean: Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure
• Possible actions: Specialized treatment systems, aeration for radon

Colorado-Specific Water Quality Concerns

Colorado well owners often encounter specific water quality issues due to our unique geology and environmental factors:

Mountain Region Well Water

Wells in mountain regions often have:

• Low pH (acidic water) from granite formations
• Low mineral content (soft water)
• Potential heavy metals from historic mining activities
• Limited bacteria due to filtration through rock

Front Range and Plains Well Water

Wells in the Front Range and plains often have:

• Higher hardness from limestone formations
• Higher TDS from dissolved minerals
• Higher sulfates in some areas
• Agricultural contaminants including nitrates in farming regions
• Naturally occurring uranium in certain geological formations

Regional Concerns

• Uranium and radon are more common in Colorado than many other states
• Selenium can be elevated in certain watersheds
• Fluoride can be naturally high in some areas
• Agricultural impacts vary by region and nearby land use

How to Respond to Concerning Test Results

Immediate Actions for Serious Contamination

If your test results show bacterial contamination or dangerous contaminant levels:

1. Switch to bottled water for drinking and cooking
2. Contact a water professional for confirmation testing
3. Inspect your well system for obvious entry points
4. Consider emergency disinfection for bacterial contamination
5. Consult health authorities for guidance on serious contamination

Treatment Options Based on Test Results

Different contaminants require different treatment approaches:

Bacterial Contamination

• Shock chlorination (temporary solution)
• Continuous disinfection (UV light, chlorination)
• Well repairs to prevent entry points

Chemical Contaminants

• Reverse osmosis systems
• Activated carbon filtration
• Distillation
• Ion exchange systems
• Specialized media filters

Hard Water

• Traditional salt-based water softeners
• Salt-free conditioners
• Reverse osmosis for drinking water

Acidic Water

• Neutralizing filters
• Soda ash injection
• Calcite filters

Iron and Manganese

• Oxidizing filters
• Chlorination followed by filtration
• Water softeners (for low levels)
• Specialized iron removal systems

When to Retest

Regular testing is important for well owners:

• Annual testing for bacteria, nitrates, pH, and TDS
• Retest after treatment installation to verify effectiveness
• Test after flooding, nearby construction, or other environmental changes
• Test if water color, taste, or odor changes
• Comprehensive testing every 3-5 years

Working with Water Quality Professionals

Our water testing services include not just laboratory analysis but also expert interpretation and recommendations:

• Results interpretation in plain language
• Treatment recommendations based on your specific results
• Cost-benefit analysis of treatment options
• Ongoing monitoring recommendations
• Referrals to qualified treatment system installers

Colorado Drinking Water Resources

For additional information about well water quality in Colorado:

• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• Colorado Water Quality Control Division
• CSU Extension Water Quality Program
• EPA Private Well Information

Schedule Your Water Test Today

If you haven’t tested your well water recently or have concerns about your water quality, Front Range Well Services provides comprehensive water testing services throughout Colorado’s Front Range.

Our professional water testing covers all essential parameters and includes clear explanation of results and recommendations for your specific situation.

Request Water Testing or call us at (720) 555-1234 to schedule your water test.

Have questions about your specific water test results? Leave them in the comments below, and our water quality experts will respond!