What to Do If Your Well Test Fails: Next Steps & Solutions

Do you use your well water for drinking and other household purposes?  CDC recommends that testing and maintaining the quality of well water is necessary to protect your health, home, and everyone who drinks it.

But what if the well water test fails? You might feel overwhelmed in such a situation. However, you don’t need to panic as most issues can be identified and fixed.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through all the steps you need to take if your well test fails. Stay tuned!

What to Do Immediately After Your Well Test Fails?

If your well water test fails, it’s a warning sign. It may take some time to get your water back to safe quality, so follow this checklist right away to protect your health.

• Stop using the water for cooking, brushing teeth, or making baby formula until you know what failed. Use bottled water or water from a safe source.
• Check your lab report to see what failed. It could be bacteria (like E. coli), nitrates, arsenic, cloudy water, or low water flow. Your next steps depend on which one it is
• Call your local health or environmental office for immediate advice if you’re a resident of Nevada. They’ll help interpret results and point you to certified labs.

How to Fix Your Well Water Issues Diagnosed in the Test?

1. Confirm With a Retest

Sometimes a failure is simply the result of a bad sample. Maybe the faucet wasn’t cleaned before taking the sample, or the container wasn’t handled properly. 

Always confirm with a second test through a state-certified lab. If both results agree, then you know you’re dealing with a real problem.

2. Treat Bacterial Contamination

• Stop using the water for drinking/cooking immediately.
• Inspect your wellhead for cracks, damaged caps, or surface water pooling nearby.
• Shock chlorinate the well. This process uses a measured dose of chlorine circulated through your well and household plumbing, then flushed. It kills most bacterial contamination. 
• The CDC and state agencies recommend retesting 10-14 days after disinfection to make sure the bacteria are gone.
• If bacteria keep returning, you may need a continuous disinfection system such as UV light or a chlorinator.

3. Handle Chemical Contaminants

Chemical contaminants require a different approach.

• Nitrates Contamination – It often happens due to fertilizer or septic systems. Nitrate contamination is most dangerous for infants and pregnant women. So, do not boil the water because boiling makes it worse by concentrating nitrates. The solution is a reverse osmosis (RO) or ion exchange system.
• Arsenic Contamination – Arsenic is naturally present in some Nevada groundwater. Special RO filters or adsorption systems, or other certified arsenic treatment technologies, can help reduce arsenic.
• Lead Contamination – This usually comes from old plumbing pipes, solder, or fixtures. Solving the issue may require replacing outdated plumbing and adding a treatment system like reverse osmosis (RO) or distillation to make the water safe to drink.

4. Fix Quantity or Pump Issues

Sometimes the failure is not about quality, but quantity. Your well test might suggest a poor yield, or your pump is short-cycling.

• Have your pump inspected by a trusted water pump service in your area. A worn pump, failing pressure tank, or bad settings could cause the problem.
• In some cases, cleaning, hydro-fracturing, or deepening can restore water flow.
• If the system is old or beyond repair, installing a new pump may be the most reliable solution.

5. Prevent Future Problems

• Test annually for bacteria and nitrates, and every 2-3 years for other contaminants.
• Maintain your wellhead. Keep the cap sealed, the area around it clean, and avoid storing chemicals nearby.
• Check after storms or repairs. If your well has been flooded or you’ve recently had pump work done, schedule a test.

Need Water Pump Service in Sparks? Call Now!

Commonly Asked Questions About Water Well Testing

• How soon after shocking treatment can I drink the water?

Once you’ve flushed the system and retested about 10-14 days later, and the results are clean, the water should be safe again.

• Can I boil water to remove nitrates?

No. Boiling actually makes nitrate levels higher. Use bottled water until a certified treatment system is installed.

• My well keeps failing tests. Do I need to drill a new one?

Not always. Ongoing problems can sometimes be fixed with regular treatment, pump repairs, or well rehab. Drilling a new well is usually the last option.

• How long does well water testing take?

Basic results like bacteria testing can come back in a few days, while full panels may take longer. We’ll keep you updated on the timeline and explain the results to you in simple terms and what they mean for your water safety.

Takeaway

Getting a failed well test can feel stressful, but it doesn’t always mean something major is wrong. First, confirm the results with a certified lab. Then, focus on solutions based on the exact contaminant found, whether it’s bacteria, nitrates, or something else.

It’s always best to work with experienced local teams who understand Northern Nevada’s geology and water regulations.

Read More About:

• Water Quality Issues After Drilling – What’s Behind It?
• Does Well Water Taste or Smell Off? What Testing Can Uncover
• Pump Cycling Too Frequently? Here’s What’s Likely Wrong

Need Help With a Failed Well Test? Bruce Mackay Pump & Well Service Know Exactly What to Do

At Bruce MacKay Pump & Well Service, we’re your trusted local well and pump experts serving Sparks, Reno, and surrounding Northern Nevada communities. With nearly 50 years of experience, we know the unique water challenges in this region.

If you’re worried about the quality of your well water, contact us. We provide certified water well testing in Sparks, reliable water pump service, and customized treatment solutions to restore your water quality quickly and safely.

Call us today to protect your well water quality!