When contaminants are absent
With water filtration in place
This is a good result. The buyer should contact the company that installed/maintains the water filtration equipment. The water should be retested with the county health department and the equipment should be serviced annually with the original installer in order to maintain the water quality.
Without water filtration
Congratulations! A negative water test when no water filtration equipment is in place is the cheapest and lowest maintenance outcome. This means that the water is safe to drink coming right out of the ground. Keep in mind that the water should still be tested annually with the county. Sediment filters are still recommended in almost all cases to prevent clogging. Also keep in mind that if the house is vacant for a period of time (Seasonal homes, etc…) that coliform or bacteria can develop. Homeowners of second homes should consider retesting regularly or having a UV water filtration system installed.
When contaminants are present
With water filtration in place
When contaminants are found in the water and water filtration equipment is already in place typically it is because the system has not been serviced regularly. Water filtration equipment needs regular maintenance to ensure healthy drinking water. The seller should be asked for more information such as the name of the company that installed/maintained the equipment and when it was last serviced. In order to save money the buyer should contact the original installer about servicing the equipment and retesting. If the installer information can’t be found or the buyer wishes to hire another company than typically the old filtration equipment will be removed and new equipment will be installed. The buyer should determine whether the old equipment was owned or leased before disposing of the equipment. The water should always be retested after installing new equipment (after the filtration equipment). The water should also be retested with the county every year and the installer of the new equipment should maintain the equipment as needed in order to preserve the water quality.
Without water filtration
A water treatment contractor or a well contractor can be consulted for further evaluation. When e. coli bacteria or coliform is present the contractor may recommend a shock chlorination treatment or a UV water filtration system. When other contaminants or present the contractor may recommend water filtration equipment. After water filtration equipment is installed the system should be maintained as needed by the installer and the water should be retested every year with the county health department.
