Well Water Testing

In rural Lane County, your water source may be a spring, river, shallow well, or deep well, and water quality can vary significantly depending on the source and local geological conditions. Unlike municipal water, which is regulated, continuously monitored, and treated to meet EPA standards, private well water is unregulated and the owner’s responsibility.

At McKenzie Valley Pump, we provide professional well water testing—including on-site field evaluations and laboratory analysis—to identify key contaminants such as coliform, E. coli, arsenic, nitrates, iron, manganese, hardness, low-pH corrosive water, sediment, tannins, hydrogen sulfide, and PFAS. Surface Water is important to keep out of the well environment, because it is highly vulnerable to biological contamination from wildlife, livestock, and human activity.

Our detailed testing enables us to accurately diagnose site-specific issues and design effective treatment solutions like filtration, oxidation, softening, UV disinfection, and chlorination, ensuring your water meets or exceeds municipal quality standards.

Well Water Contaminants & Treatment Solutions

• Total Coliform Bacteria

Indicates possible fecal contamination and the presence of harmful pathogens.
Treatment: Shock chlorination of the well, followed by continuous chlorination or UV disinfection (often combined with filtration).

• E. coli

A specific fecal bacterium that can cause serious gastrointestinal illness.
Treatment: UV disinfection, chlorination with adequate contact time, or well repair to eliminate the contamination source.

• Arsenic

A toxic metal linked to increased cancer risk and other long-term health effects.
Treatment: Reverse osmosis (RO) or specialized adsorptive media.

• Nitrates

Often from agricultural runoff or septic systems; high levels pose risks especially to infants (blue baby syndrome). Treatment: Reverse osmosis or anion exchange (ion exchange) systems. Note: Water softeners do not remove nitrates.

• Iron

Causes reddish-brown staining on fixtures and laundry and can promote bacterial growth.
Treatment: Oxidizing filters (e.g., manganese greensand) or by water softening equipment.

• Manganese

Causes black staining and metallic taste; may have neurological effects at high levels.
Treatment: Oxidizing filters, greensand, or chemical oxidation (chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or potassium permanganate) followed by filtration.

• Water Hardness (Calcium & Magnesium)

Leads to scale buildup in pipes and appliances, reduced soap efficiency, and dry skin/hair.
Treatment: Water softener (ion exchange) or salt-free conditioners in restricted areas.

• Low-pH Corrosive Water (Acidic Water)

Corrodes plumbing, leaches metals, and causes pinhole leaks or blue-green staining.
Treatment: Neutralizing filters (calcite or calcite/magnesia blend) or soda ash chemical injection to raise pH.