Thinking about buying or already living in a Wesley Chapel home with a private well? Unlike public water, your well is your responsibility to test and maintain. That can feel like a lot, especially if you are new to groundwater. The good news is a simple testing plan and the right treatment will keep your water safe and your home sale or purchase on track. Let’s dive in.
Why well testing matters in Wesley Chapel
Private wells in North Carolina are not regulated like public water systems, so you are in charge of testing and maintenance. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services outlines what to check and when so you can make informed decisions about your water. You can review those basics in the state’s Private Wells guidance from NCDHHS.
Union County sits in the Piedmont, where wells draw water from weathered soils and fractured bedrock. That geology means water quality can vary a lot from one property to the next, even on the same street. Statewide data also show that metals like arsenic, lead, and manganese sometimes show up in private wells in this region. Routine testing is the best way to know what is in your water and to fix it if needed.
- Learn more about private well basics from NCDHHS: Private wells FAQs
- See Union County well and testing info: Union County Environmental Health
- See research on metals in NC private wells: Peer‑reviewed statewide analysis
What to test and when
Annual essentials
- Total coliform and E. coli bacteria
- pH and total dissolved solids (TDS)
These give an early warning of biological issues and shifts in your system. Any E. coli detection is unsafe and needs immediate action.
Every 1 to 2 years
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Lead and copper
- Metals such as arsenic, manganese, and iron
If you have infants or someone is pregnant in the home, prioritize nitrate testing right away.
Every 3 to 5 years or when risks exist
- Volatile organic compounds if near fuel tanks, spills, or industrial sites
- Pesticides when close to agricultural uses
- Radon and other radionuclides when air tests or geology suggest risk
EPA and state guidance recommend testing radionuclides about every three years where relevant.
When buying or selling
During due diligence, order a certified “real‑estate panel” that includes bacteria, nitrate, and key metals like arsenic and lead. Add VOCs or radon in water if location or air tests indicate a risk. North Carolina’s updated disclosure rules also ask sellers to indicate if the well has been tested for quantity, quality, and pressure and to share dates. Build testing into your timeline so you have room to respond to results.
- EPA’s overview for private well owners: Protect your home’s water
- Disclosure update overview: Well water testing and real estate
How to get your water tested in Union County
Where to test
You have two main options:
- Work with Union County Environmental Health, which can submit samples to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health for many standard tests.
- Use a state‑certified commercial drinking water laboratory, especially if you need faster turnaround or a specific real‑estate panel.
Find certified labs here: NCSLPH certified laboratory search
How to collect samples
Use the bottles and instructions from the lab or the county. For bacteriology, many labs collect only on certain days, and you must deliver the sample quickly. Avoid touching the inside of the bottle or cap, flush the tap first, and follow the chain‑of‑custody steps if your lender requires them.
Turnaround and cost basics
County or state lab results may take up to about three weeks for some analyses. Private labs may offer rush options. Costs vary by panel. Basic bacteria tests are inexpensive, while full metals or VOC panels cost more. Check with Union County Environmental Health about any local assistance programs for eligible homeowners.
- Interpreting lab reports: Understanding results
Understanding your results
- Any E. coli or fecal indicator means the water is unsafe. Disinfect the well, fix the cause, and retest before use.
- For chemical results, compare your numbers to EPA or state standards. If something is high, confirm with a resample and consult public health staff or a water treatment professional.
- Keep test reports organized. They help with future troubleshooting and with real estate transactions.
Common treatment solutions
Treatment depends on what is present, how much, and whether you need to treat the whole house or just drinking water at the kitchen sink. A professional assessment will help you right‑size the fix.
Bacteria
Short term, use shock chlorination with follow‑up testing after repairs or contamination events. For ongoing protection, consider continuous chlorination or UV disinfection with proper pre‑filtration.
- How disinfection works and when to use it: Well disinfection guidance
Nitrate
Boiling does not remove nitrate. Point‑of‑use reverse osmosis or ion exchange can reduce nitrate for drinking and cooking. For infants, use a safe alternate water source until levels are corrected.
Metals: arsenic, lead, manganese, iron
For arsenic, options include certified adsorption media or point‑of‑use reverse osmosis for drinking water. Iron and manganese often need oxidation followed by filtration. Some low levels respond to softening. Your treatment plan should match the specific metal and concentration.
Radon and other radionuclides
Start with an air radon test. If air levels indicate water is contributing, point‑of‑entry aeration or granular activated carbon systems are common choices. Larger systems can be several thousand dollars and need ongoing maintenance.
- Radon in well water guidance: NC Radon Program
VOCs and petroleum
Granular activated carbon or air stripping can address many VOCs. If a spill or underground tank is the source, you may need to address the source or in some cases consider a new well site.
When treatment is not enough
If problems keep returning or levels are very high, you may need well repairs, rehabilitation, or a deeper well. Use bottled or trucked water for drinking and cooking until results are back in range. Union County can help you plan next steps and may have programs for eligible homeowners.
A simple checklist for Wesley Chapel homeowners
- Confirm if your home has a private well and gather any past lab reports or permits.
- Test bacteria every year. Add nitrate, lead, and metals every 1 to 2 years.
- Add VOCs, pesticides, and radionuclides every 3 to 5 years or when risks exist.
- After flooding, repairs, or pump work, disinfect and retest before use.
- If a contaminant is detected, confirm with a resample, then choose the right treatment and retest to verify.
For buyers and sellers in Wesley Chapel
Sellers should review North Carolina’s updated disclosure and be ready to share dates of any water testing. Buyers should order a certified real‑estate panel during due diligence and plan for enough time to retest if needed. If results are out of range, negotiate remediation, a price credit, or seller‑installed treatment, and request a clean retest before closing.
If you want a local sounding board as you plan testing during your move, reach out to Paige Boykin. Our team knows the Union County process and can help you line up the right steps during due diligence.
FAQs
How often should I test a private well in Wesley Chapel?
- Test for bacteria every year, add nitrate and key metals every 1 to 2 years, and consider VOCs, pesticides, and radionuclides every 3 to 5 years or when risks exist.
What contaminants are most common in Union County private wells?
- Statewide data highlight bacteria, nitrate, and metals such as arsenic, lead, iron, and manganese, with levels that can vary widely from well to well in Piedmont geology.
Who can test my well water locally in Union County?
- Use Union County Environmental Health or a state‑certified commercial lab, and follow the lab’s sampling instructions and schedule.
What should I do if my test shows E. coli?
- Do not drink the water, disinfect the well, fix the cause, and retest until results are clean before returning to normal use.
Does boiling remove nitrate from well water?
- No, boiling does not remove nitrate; use certified treatment like reverse osmosis for drinking water or switch to an alternate water source until levels are safe.
Are well water tests required during a home purchase?
- Testing is often requested by buyers and lenders, and North Carolina’s disclosure asks sellers to report if and when the well was tested, so include a certified panel in due diligence.
