Livingston, TX · Polk County

What's Actually in Your Well Water?

We pull a real sample and send it to a Texas-certified lab, then walk you through the results in language that makes sense.

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Certified LabSamples go to a Texas-certified laboratory, not a home kit.

3 to 5 Day ResultsFull panel results back inside a week.

$65 to $175Basic bacteria test to full mineral panel.

Plain-Language ReportNo jargon, just what it means for your water.

Good Water on Paper Doesn't Mean Good Water in the Glass

Polk County groundwater draws mostly from the Carrizo-Wilcox and Queen City aquifer systems, the same formations the Lower Trinity Groundwater Conservation District permits and tracks for wells across the county. That's a reasonable baseline for water quality, but it doesn't tell you what's happening in your specific casing, your specific pipe, or your specific pressure tank.

Bacteria contamination is the most common surprise we find, usually tied to a wellhead seal that's degraded or a casing that sits below grade and lets surface water seep in during heavy rain. Older properties near the shoreline see this more than newer builds because a lot of the original well caps predate current sealing standards. Iron and manganese staining is the second most common complaint, showing up as rust-colored rings in sinks and tubs, which is a mineral issue rather than a health issue but wears out fixtures and water heaters faster.

If you're on a private well, nobody tests your water for you the way a municipal supplier would. Testing is on you, and we make it a same-visit, no-guesswork process.

What We Test and What It Costs

Test	Price	Checks For
Basic Bacteria & Nitrate	$65	Total coliform, E. coli, nitrate levels
Hardness & Iron Panel	$95	Water hardness, iron, manganese, pH
Full Mineral + Bacteria Panel	$175	Everything above plus sulfate, TDS, and chloride

Results come back from the lab in 3 to 5 business days for standard panels. Bacteria results with a positive hit sometimes need a re-test to confirm, which adds another 2 to 3 days.

How the Test Actually Works

Schedule the visit. We ask a few questions upfront about symptoms (taste, smell, staining) to pick the right panel.
Sterile sample collection. We run the tap for a set time, then collect the sample using sterile lab-supplied containers to avoid false readings.
Chain of custody. Sample gets logged and delivered to the lab same-day or next morning, kept cold in transit.
Lab analysis. A certified Texas laboratory runs the panel, not an in-house test strip.
Results review. We call you when results land and walk through what each number actually means for daily use.
Written report. You get the lab sheet plus our plain-language summary for your records or for a real estate transaction.

What Makes Test Results Harder to Read Than They Look

Timing skews results more than people expect. A sample pulled right after a heavy rain can show a higher bacteria count that clears up within days once runoff stops feeding into a compromised wellhead seal, so a single positive result isn't always the full picture. We factor recent weather into how we interpret a borderline reading.

Plumbing contamination is the other trap. Old galvanized pipe or a neglected aerator can introduce bacteria or metals that have nothing to do with the aquifer itself. When we get an unexpected result, we'll often recommend a second sample point (straight from the wellhead versus an indoor tap) to isolate whether the well or the house plumbing is the source.

What We Don't Do

We don't sell or install whole-house filtration or softening systems. If your results call for treatment, we'll tell you exactly what to look for and you're free to shop that out, no pressure to buy equipment from us.

Questions About Water Testing

How often should I test my well water?

Once a year for bacteria and nitrate is a reasonable baseline for a private well, and immediately any time you notice a change in taste, smell, or color.

Can you test for the same thing twice to confirm a bad result?

Yes, and we recommend it for a positive bacteria hit. A confirmation sample rules out a one-time collection issue before you commit to shock-chlorinating the well.

Do I need a permit to have my water tested?

No. Testing itself doesn't trigger any permit or notification requirement. Pump and well component work on a private well falls under separate state licensing rules for well drillers and pump installers (administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation), which is a different process entirely from pulling a water sample.

Will the report tell me if my water is safe to drink?

The lab results tell you specific concentrations against EPA drinking-water reference levels. We explain what those numbers mean in plain terms, but the decision on treatment or use is yours to make.

Noticed a change in your water? and we'll get a sample scheduled.

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Serving Livingston, Onalaska, Point Blank, and Goodrich, TX only.