Home Water Testing Services

Water Treatment Solutions

Having clean water available in your home should be a top priority, but how do you really know what is in your water? Wisconsin has several resources for water supply. Each county we serve, from Washington County to Kenosha County, and everywhere in-between, pose unique water challenges. The experts at Guthrie & Frey offer home water and hardness testing services for Southeastern Wisconsin homes.

Guthrie & Frey home water testing and hardness testing services will start by taking a full look at your water treatment system, when available. Your technician will then do full analysis of the hot and cold water in your home. This process allows us to determine where contaminates may be entering your home’s water. Following the analysis we’ll educate you on what is currently in your water and a recommended plan to rectify it.

FREE Water Analysis

3 Types of Water Testing

On-site water testing
Off-site water testing
Water safety testing
For all real-estate transactions, private wells need to do all 3 of these tests

The Threats of Drinking Contaminated Water

Contaminant	EPA MCL (mg/L)	Potential Health effects from exposure above the MCL	Common sources of contaminate in drinking water
Total Coliform (includes fecal coliform & E. coli)	zero presence	Indicate whether potentially harmful bacteria may be present.	Coliforms are naturally present in the environment.
Nitrates, Total	10	Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.	Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits.
Arsenic	0.010	Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer.	Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards, runoff from glass and electronics production waste.
Lead	Action Level = 0.015	Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development; children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities; Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure.	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits.

Arsenic/Nitrate Testing Requirements

As of 10/1/14, all real estate transactions on a private well that require a well inspection will require that the water be tested for bacteria, nitrates and total arsenic.

The DNR has stated that “due to the chemical nature of arsenic in ground water, it must be recognized by all that arsenic levels can change with time. There is no such thing as an iron clad clean bill of health”.

On-site Water Testing

• Hardness of your water
• Iron levels
• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

On-site water testing involves a quick water analysis performed on your property itself. These tests can also check pH to get a snapshot of water quality.

Off-site Testing Services

Off-site water testing involves taking a sample of your water to a laboratory for in depth-inspections. Guthrie & Frey will collect and deliver the sample to the laboratory and communicate the water test results to you along with professional recommendations on correcting your water.

Safety Test

• Coliform bacteria test
• Results will display “Safe” or “Unsafe” and a corrective action plan will be put into place.

Coliform bacteria is a group of microorganisms found in plants, soil, and surface water. The bacteria can seep through cracked or poorly sealed wells and contaminate your drinking water causing a range of health hazards. Our safety test system will let you know whether your water is safe to drink.

How do we test water quality?

Guthrie & Frey can do on-site home water testing or send samples of your water to an outside lab to be tested for contaminants.

Are home water test kits accurate?

We’ve had customers use these kits and although they will catch some contaminants, they can not detect everything like a lab can. Our water analysis is free, which is better than buying a kit! Give us a call to schedule your test. When it comes to your water, leave it to the experts!

How do you know if water is contaminated?

Some contaminants cause yellow, red, or black stains on tubs and sinks. Other contaminants, such as sulfur, will give your water a “rotten egg” smell. However, if your water has arsenic, the only way to know is by having your water treated as it doesn’t cause any physical changes. The only way to know for sure what is in your water is to have it professionally tested.