TESTING
Test strips are a start. A certified lab is the answer.
Here is how to get a result you can trust.
LAB OR KIT
Two options.
| Home strips | Certified lab | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Minutes | Days |
| Accuracy | Rough | Reliable |
| Best for | A quick check | Decisions and health questions |
WHAT TO ASK FOR
Start with these.
- City water: lead, and anything flagged in your water report
- Wells: coliform bacteria, nitrate, total dissolved solids, pH
- Your area’s known issues, such as arsenic or PFAS
FIND A LAB
Ask your health department.
State and local health departments list certified labs.
SOURCES
Where these facts come from.
QUESTIONS
Straight answers.
Are home water test strips accurate?
They give a rough reading. Use a state-certified lab for anything you’ll act on.