Your water test results arrived after a professional drinking water testing service, and now you’re looking at a table full of numbers, abbreviations, and units you’ve never seen.
Most people look at this report and have no idea what to do with it.
This guide translates your water test report into plain language — explaining every unit of measurement, every common parameter, what the acceptable limits mean, what happens when something exceeds those limits, and exactly what steps to take next. Whether your water comes from a private well or a municipal supply, this is the reference you need to turn test results into informed action.
Understanding the Units on Your Report
Before you can read any number on a water test report, you need to understand what the units mean. Contaminant concentrations are measured at very small scales — because even tiny amounts of some substances cause serious health problems.
Milligrams per Liter (mg/L) = Parts per Million (ppm)
The most common unit on water test reports. One milligram per liter means one milligram of a substance dissolved in one liter of water — equivalent to one part per million (ppm). A helpful way to visualize this: one part per million is roughly equivalent to one drop of food coloring in 50 liters of water, or about 0.03 of a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in a full bathtub of water.
mg/L and ppm are interchangeable — you’ll see both on different reports. They mean exactly the same thing.
Used for: metals, nitrates, hardness, TDS, chlorides, sulfates, and most chemical parameters.
Micrograms per Liter (µg/L) = Parts per Billion (ppb)
One thousand times smaller than mg/L. One part per billion is one microgram of a substance per liter of water. The equivalent of one drop of food coloring in 50,000 liters.
This unit is used for substances so toxic that even tiny concentrations cause harm — which is why the standard is set at such a small scale.
Used for: lead, arsenic, pesticides, PFAS, and other trace contaminants where health effects occur at very low concentrations.
Parts per Trillion (ppt)
One thousand times smaller than ppb. Increasingly relevant as laboratory technology improves and regulators establish standards for compounds like PFAS at extraordinarily low concentrations. The EPA’s 2024 maximum contaminant levels for several PFAS compounds are set at 4 parts per trillion — reflecting how potent these substances are at trace levels.
Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L)
The unit used exclusively for radioactive substances like radon, radium, and uranium. A picocurie measures radioactive decay events — not chemical concentration.
Used for: radon, radium, uranium, and other radionuclides.
Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)
The unit used to measure turbidity — the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by suspended particles. The lower the NTU, the clearer the water.
Colony Forming Units per 100 mL (CFU/100mL)
Used for bacterial testing. Measures the number of bacteria capable of multiplying and forming visible colonies in a standardized sample. For total coliform and E. coli, the regulatory standard is zero — meaning no detectable bacteria in a 100 mL sample.
Grains per Gallon (GPG)
Used exclusively for hardness. One grain per gallon equals approximately 17.1 mg/L. Some labs report hardness in mg/L (or ppm), others in GPG — both are common.
The Three Categories of Water Test Parameters
Water quality parameters fall into three distinct categories, and understanding which category a parameter belongs to helps you prioritize your response.
Category 1: Health Risk Parameters
Contaminants with documented, direct health effects. Exceeding the standard for these requires action — not just monitoring.
Category 2: General Water Quality Indicators
Parameters that signal the potential presence of other problems. High turbidity doesn’t itself cause illness, but it indicates conditions under which bacteria may be present. pH doesn’t poison you directly, but low pH causes pipes to leach lead and copper. These are diagnostic signals.
Category 3: Nuisance Parameters
Contaminants that cause aesthetic problems — taste, odor, staining, scaling — without direct health effects at typical concentrations. They affect quality of life and home maintenance, but they’re not emergency situations.
Category 1: Health Risk Parameters — A Complete Reference
These are the parameters on your report that require the most careful attention. When any of these exceeds its acceptable limit, take action.
Total Coliform Bacteria
Unit: Presence/Absence, or CFU/100mL
Acceptable limit: Zero — any detection triggers follow-up testing
What it means: Total coliform is a broad group of bacteria that includes both harmless environmental organisms and potentially harmful ones. A positive total coliform result doesn’t necessarily mean your water is dangerous — but it means you must immediately test for E. coli to determine whether fecal contamination is present.
Sources: Surface water intrusion into wells, damaged well casings, aging distribution pipes, cross-connections in plumbing
If exceeded: Retest for E. coli immediately. If the original lab confirmed total coliform positive, most will automatically run E. coli confirmation. Do not wait for results before taking precautions — use bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking.
E. coli (Escherichia coli)
Unit: Presence/Absence, or CFU/100mL
Acceptable limit: Zero — any detection is unacceptable
What it means: E. coli is a specific type of coliform that exists in the intestines of humans and animals. Its presence in drinking water confirms fecal contamination — from a failing septic system, livestock waste, or wildlife. This is not a nuisance issue. E. coli causes acute gastrointestinal illness and can be life-threatening for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Sources: Septic system failure or proximity, livestock and wildlife waste, flooding events reaching well casings, cracked or damaged well casings
If exceeded: Issue a boil-water advisory immediately for all drinking, cooking, and teeth-brushing. Shock chlorinate the well. Have a licensed well contractor inspect the casing, cap, and seal. Retest after disinfection before resuming normal use.
Nitrates (NO₃) and Nitrites (NO₂)
Unit: mg/L
Acceptable limit: 10 mg/L for nitrates (measured as nitrogen); 1 mg/L for nitrites
What it means: Nitrates are the most common chemical contaminant in rural well water. At elevated concentrations, they cause methemoglobinemia — a condition where blood’s ability to carry oxygen is reduced. In infants under 6 months, this is known as “blue baby syndrome” and can be fatal. Adults and older children face much lower risk from typical nitrate concentrations, but very high levels (above 50 mg/L) can affect anyone.
Sources: Agricultural fertilizers, animal manure, septic system effluent, natural soil nitrogen
Critical note for infants: Some health authorities recommend a precautionary threshold of 5 mg/L for households with infants under 6 months — lower than the EPA’s 10 mg/L regulatory limit.
If exceeded: Do not boil — boiling concentrates nitrates and makes the problem worse. Use certified reverse osmosis or distillation for drinking and cooking water. If an infant is in the household, switch to certified bottled water immediately. Investigate the source: check proximity of agricultural fields, fertilizer application timing, and septic system condition.
Lead
Unit: µg/L (ppb)
Acceptable limit: EPA action level is 15 ppb; however, the CDC and most health authorities state there is no safe level of lead exposure — particularly for children
What it means: Lead is a potent neurotoxin that causes permanent, irreversible neurological damage in children under 6. Adults face cardiovascular, kidney, and reproductive effects with chronic exposure. Lead doesn’t occur naturally in groundwater at significant concentrations — it enters water by leaching from lead pipes, lead solder in plumbing joints (common in homes built before 1986), brass fixtures, and some well pump components.
Sources: Lead service lines (increasingly rare), lead solder in pre-1986 plumbing, brass faucets and fixtures, lead pump casings
If exceeded: Stop using tap water for drinking, cooking, and infant formula preparation immediately. Contact a licensed plumber to identify the lead source. Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 point-of-use filter rated for lead removal while the source is addressed and replaced. Retest after replacement to confirm clearance.
Important note on sampling: Lead results depend heavily on whether a “first-draw” sample (water sitting in pipes overnight) or a “flushed” sample was collected. First-draw samples capture the highest possible lead concentration from pipes and fixtures. If your lab requested a flushed sample, a first-draw test may reveal higher levels.
Arsenic
Unit: µg/L (ppb)
Acceptable limit: 10 ppb (EPA MCL)
What it means: Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in rock and soil across much of the United States — particularly in the Southwest, New England, the Upper Midwest, and parts of the West Coast. It’s a known human carcinogen associated with bladder, lung, and skin cancers with long-term exposure. Research suggests health risks may begin at concentrations below the current 10 ppb regulatory standard.
Sources: Natural geological deposits (primary source in well water), some pesticides and wood preservatives, industrial contamination
If exceeded: Install a certified point-of-use reverse osmosis system (NSF/ANSI 58 rated for arsenic removal). Have the system certified and professionally maintained — RO membrane performance degrades over time. Retest filtered water annually to confirm treatment effectiveness.
Atrazine
Unit: ppb
Acceptable limit: 3 ppb (EPA MCL)
What it means: One of the most widely used herbicides in the United States, applied to corn and other row crops. Atrazine leaches through soil into groundwater and has been detected in wells across agricultural regions of the Midwest and South. Long-term exposure is associated with heart and liver damage. It’s an endocrine disruptor with potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Sources: Agricultural runoff and leaching from herbicide-treated fields
If exceeded: Install activated carbon filtration or reverse osmosis. Contact your county extension office about local agricultural application patterns.
Benzene and Other VOCs
Unit: ppb
Acceptable limit: 5 ppb for benzene (EPA MCL); other VOCs have individual MCLs
What it means: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include gasoline additives, industrial solvents, and dry cleaning chemicals. Benzene — a component of gasoline — is a known human carcinogen associated with blood disorders and increased leukemia risk. VOCs typically enter groundwater from leaking underground storage tanks, industrial spills, and improper chemical disposal.
Sources: Gas stations, auto repair shops, dry cleaners, industrial facilities, landfills
If exceeded: Activated carbon filtration is effective for most VOCs. Identify the contamination source and report to your state environmental agency — VOC contamination may affect neighboring wells and may qualify for remediation funding.
Radon
Unit: pCi/L (picocuries per liter)
Acceptable limit: No federal MCL has been finalized; the EPA proposed 300 pCi/L for well water
What it means: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in rock and soil. It dissolves into groundwater and is released into indoor air when water is used for showering, cooking, or running appliances — making it both a waterborne and an airborne exposure concern. Long-term radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. Radon in water is also associated with gastrointestinal cancer risk from ingestion.
Sources: Natural uranium decay in granite and other rock formations; primarily affects well water in New England, Appalachia, and parts of the Rocky Mountain West
If exceeded: Point-of-entry aeration systems are the most effective treatment for radon in well water, releasing radon to the outside air before it enters the home. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration is an alternative but requires careful management of radioactive waste in the filter media. Consult with a radon mitigation specialist.
PFAS / PFOA (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
Unit: ppt (parts per trillion) or ng/L (nanograms per liter — equivalent to ppt)
Acceptable limit: EPA set MCLs in 2024: 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS; 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA; 10 ppt combined for certain mixtures
What it means: PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in non-stick coatings, fire-fighting foam (AFFF), food packaging, and countless industrial applications. They don’t break down in the environment or in the human body — hence the “forever chemical” designation. Long-term exposure is linked to cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune system effects, high cholesterol, and reproductive harm. The 4 ppt standard reflects just how potent these substances are.
Sources: Military bases that used AFFF foam, industrial facilities, landfills, agricultural land where PFAS-containing biosolids were applied
If exceeded: Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) and high-quality granular activated carbon (NSF/ANSI 53) are both effective for PFAS removal. Point-of-entry systems protect the whole household; point-of-use RO at the kitchen tap protects drinking water specifically. Contact your state environmental agency — PFAS findings may trigger remediation programs.
Category 2: General Water Quality Indicators
These parameters don’t directly cause illness at typical concentrations, but they signal conditions that may indicate other problems or lead to them.
pH
Unit: pH scale (0–14; 7 = neutral)
Acceptable range: 6.5–8.5
What it means: pH measures how acidic or alkaline your water is. It’s one of the most important general indicators because it directly affects what other problems develop.
| pH Range | Classification | What It May Indicate |
| Below 6.5 | Acidic / corrosive | Actively leaching lead, copper, and other metals from pipes and fixtures |
| 6.5–8.5 | Acceptable range | Normal; monitor with other parameters |
| Above 8.5 | Alkaline / basic | Scaling, slippery feel, possible high mineral content |
Low pH is particularly important: Acidic water has no direct taste impact but silently corrodes metal plumbing, increasing lead and copper concentrations in your drinking water over time. If your pH is below 6.5 and you haven’t tested for lead and copper, you should.
If outside range: Low pH: install a calcite neutralizer or soda ash injection system. High pH: assess mineral content with a comprehensive panel.
Turbidity
Unit: NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units)
Acceptable limit: Below 1 NTU for treated water; below 5 NTU as a general guideline
What it means: Turbidity measures the cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles — sediment, clay, organic matter, or microorganisms. Elevated turbidity is a diagnostic signal: it indicates that the water is carrying particles that may include bacteria or other pathogens. Turbid water can also interfere with disinfection, as particles shield microorganisms from chlorine or UV treatment.
Sources: Surface water intrusion into wells, disturbed sediment, flooding, aging well casing
If elevated: Investigate the source of particles. Test for bacteria. Sand or sediment filters address physical turbidity; identifying why turbid water is entering the well is the more important step.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Unit: mg/L
Acceptable limit: Below 500 mg/L
What it means: TDS measures the combined concentration of all dissolved substances in water — minerals, salts, metals, and organic compounds. It’s a broad screening indicator, not a specific contaminant test. High TDS doesn’t tell you exactly what’s dissolved, but it signals that something is elevated and warrants further investigation.
| TDS Level | Classification |
| Below 300 mg/L | Excellent |
| 300–600 mg/L | Good / acceptable |
| 600–900 mg/L | Fair; may affect taste |
| 900–1,200 mg/L | Poor; investigate specific contaminants |
| Above 1,200 mg/L | Unacceptable for drinking without treatment |
If elevated: Run a comprehensive panel to identify the specific dissolved substances. RO filtration reduces TDS effectively but identify the source first to ensure appropriate treatment.
Conductance / Conductivity
Unit: µS/cm (microsiemens per centimeter)
What it means: Measures water’s ability to conduct electricity, which correlates with the amount of dissolved ions (charged particles). Higher conductivity indicates higher dissolved mineral or salt content. Conductance is often used as a quick proxy for TDS — they track together, though the relationship varies by water chemistry. Not a health concern in itself; an indicator that guides further testing.
Category 3: Nuisance Parameters
These parameters cause aesthetic problems — taste, odor, staining, scaling — without direct health effects at typical concentrations. They affect comfort, home maintenance, and quality of life, but they don’t create the same urgency as Category 1 parameters.
Hardness (Calcium and Magnesium)
Unit: mg/L as CaCO₃, or grains per gallon (GPG)
Aesthetic threshold: Most people find water above 7.5 GPG (approximately 128 mg/L) objectionable
| GPG | Hardness Classification |
| Below 1.0 | Soft |
| 1.0–3.5 | Slightly hard |
| 3.5–7.5 | Moderately hard |
| 7.5–10.5 | Hard |
| Above 10.5 | Very hard |
What it means: Hard water contains high concentrations of calcium and magnesium. The direct effects are cosmetic and mechanical: scale buildup in pipes and water heaters, reduced soap lathering, spots on dishes and glassware, and shortened appliance lifespan. Not a health concern. Hard water may actually be marginally beneficial for cardiovascular health due to calcium and magnesium intake, though the evidence is mixed.
If elevated: Water softeners (ion exchange) address hardness effectively. Consider the tradeoffs: softened water replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium, which may be a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. Salt-free water conditioners are an alternative in some situations.
Iron (Fe)
Unit: mg/L
Aesthetic limit: 0.3 mg/L
What it means: Iron above 0.3 mg/L causes reddish-brown or orange staining on laundry, sinks, tubs, and fixtures. It creates a metallic or bitter taste and discolors beverages like coffee and tea. Iron in well water typically comes from iron-bearing rock and soil, or from iron corrosion in well casings and pipes. While iron is an essential nutrient, very high concentrations can be problematic for people with hemochromatosis (iron overload disorder).
If elevated: Iron filters (oxidizing filters, birm filters) or water softeners address iron at moderate concentrations. Iron bacteria — a separate issue, addressed below — require different treatment. Determine which type of iron is present (ferrous/clear water iron vs. ferric/red water iron) as treatment approaches differ.
Manganese (Mn)
Unit: mg/L
Aesthetic limit: 0.05 mg/L
Health advisory: 0.3 mg/L (neurological effects with long-term exposure)
What it means: Manganese above 0.05 mg/L causes black or dark brown staining on laundry, fixtures, and sinks. At higher concentrations (above 0.3 mg/L), manganese has been associated with neurological effects — particularly in children, where long-term exposure has been linked to cognitive development concerns.
Note: Unlike most nuisance parameters, manganese has a health-based advisory level. Households with young children should treat manganese above 0.05 mg/L as a priority, not just a nuisance.
If elevated: Oxidizing filters and greensand filters are effective for manganese removal. Treatment approach depends on the manganese concentration and whether iron is also present.
Copper (Cu)
Unit: mg/L
Acceptable limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA action level)
What it means: Copper in drinking water primarily comes from corrosion of copper pipes and brass fittings — particularly in acidic (low pH) water. Blue-green staining on plumbing fixtures and a bitter metallic taste are the characteristic signs. At high concentrations, copper causes nausea, vomiting, and liver and kidney damage. The action level of 1.3 mg/L is an indicator of plumbing corrosivity, not a natural groundwater source.
If elevated: Check pH first — low pH water corrodes copper plumbing. Address the pH (neutralizer) and the staining should improve. Replace highly corroded copper fixtures.
Chlorides
Unit: mg/L
Aesthetic limit: 250 mg/L
What it means: Chlorides at elevated concentrations cause a salty or brackish taste and can be corrosive to metal plumbing. In coastal areas, elevated chlorides may indicate saltwater intrusion into the aquifer. Inland, they can signal road salt contamination (particularly in northern states with heavy de-icing) or certain industrial sources.
If elevated: RO filtration reduces chlorides effectively. Identify the source — saltwater intrusion is a structural problem that may require a deeper or relocated well.
Sulfates (SO₄)
Unit: mg/L
Aesthetic limit: 250 mg/L
What it means: High sulfate concentrations cause a greasy or oily feel to water and can have a laxative effect on people not accustomed to it. The laxative effect typically diminishes after a period of adaptation. Sulfates also contribute to a sulfur odor in some water and can be corrosive to metal plumbing at very high concentrations.
If elevated: RO filtration or anion exchange is effective for sulfate reduction.
Iron Bacteria
Unit: Presence/Absence
Acceptable limit: Not present
What it means: Iron bacteria are naturally occurring microorganisms that feed on iron in the water, producing a distinctive reddish-orange to brownish slime — often noticed as a slimy coating inside toilet tanks. They’re not known to cause illness directly, but they create an unpleasant appearance and odor, clog pipes and fixtures, and can affect the effectiveness of water treatment systems.
If present: Shock chlorination followed by an iron filter. Iron bacteria can be persistent — repeated treatment may be necessary.
Hydrogen Sulfide
Unit: mg/L or Presence/Absence (often detected on-site)
What it means: The source of the characteristic “rotten egg” odor in well water. Hydrogen sulfide is produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria or by chemical reactions with natural sulfur in rock formations. It’s corrosive to metals (particularly copper and brass), causes tarnishing of silverware, and makes water taste unpleasant. Not directly dangerous at low concentrations found in drinking water.
Note: Hydrogen sulfide dissipates from water samples during shipping, so it’s typically detected on-site, not by standard lab analysis. If your water has a sulfur odor but your lab report doesn’t mention hydrogen sulfide, that’s likely why — request on-site testing if it’s a concern.
If present: Aeration (oxidizing the hydrogen sulfide to sulfate) or activated carbon filtration addresses the issue. Identify whether the source is bacterial or geological, as treatment differs.
Fluoride
Unit: mg/L
Acceptable limit: 4 mg/L (EPA MCL); 2 mg/L (health advisory)
What it means: At 0.7 mg/L — the level added to fluoridated municipal water — fluoride prevents tooth decay. At high concentrations (naturally occurring in some geological formations), fluoride causes dental fluorosis (mottling and pitting of tooth enamel) and, at very high levels, skeletal fluorosis. Well water fluoride content varies dramatically by location.
If elevated: RO filtration is effective for fluoride removal. If your well water is naturally fluoride-deficient and you’re supplementing fluoride for children based on incorrect assumptions about your well water, your test results can inform that decision.
Putting It All Together: How to Work Through Your Report
When your lab report arrives, work through it in this order:
Step 1: Look for flags or annotations. Most labs highlight parameters that exceed standards or action levels. Start there.
Step 2: Check Category 1 (health risk) parameters first. Bacteria, lead, nitrates, arsenic, and any other health risk parameters that are flagged require immediate attention. Address these before anything else.
Step 3: Assess Category 2 (indicator) parameters. Check pH — if it’s below 6.5 and you haven’t already tested for lead and copper, add those to your next test. Check TDS — if it’s elevated, a comprehensive panel identifying specific dissolved substances is warranted.
Step 4: Evaluate Category 3 (nuisance) parameters. Hardness, iron, manganese, and other nuisance parameters don’t require urgent action, but they affect quality of life and home maintenance. Plan treatment based on severity.
Step 5: Note anything near the limit — not just above it. A parameter at 8 mg/L for nitrates isn’t exceeding the 10 mg/L standard, but it’s close enough to warrant monitoring and follow-up testing next year.
Step 6: Keep your report. File every water test report permanently. If contamination from nearby activities (mining, agriculture, industrial spills) ever affects your water, a record of pre-contamination levels is essential evidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Reading Water Test Results
1. What’s the difference between mg/L, ppb, and ppm on my water test report?
These are all units of concentration measuring how much of a substance is dissolved in water. mg/L (milligrams per liter) and ppm (parts per million) are identical — used interchangeably for most chemical parameters. ppb (parts per billion) equals µg/L (micrograms per liter) and is one thousand times smaller than ppm — used for highly toxic substances like lead and arsenic where health effects occur at very low concentrations. pCi/L (picocuries per liter) is used specifically for radioactive substances like radon and measures radioactive decay events rather than chemical mass.
2. My water test shows total coliform bacteria. Does that mean my water is dangerous?
A positive total coliform result means you need to test for E. coli immediately — it doesn’t automatically confirm your water is dangerous. Total coliform is a broad group that includes both harmless environmental bacteria and the fecal bacteria that signal a health risk. Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking until E. coli results confirm whether fecal contamination is present. If E. coli is detected, that is a confirmed health emergency requiring immediate disinfection and source investigation.
3. My nitrate result is 8 mg/L — below the 10 mg/L limit. Is that safe?
For most adults and children, yes — 8 mg/L is below the EPA maximum contaminant level. However, if you have an infant under 6 months in the household, some health authorities recommend a precautionary threshold of 5 mg/L for infant water use. At 8 mg/L, you should use certified bottled water for infant formula and feeding, monitor the level with more frequent testing (twice yearly), and investigate potential sources (fertilizers, septic proximity) to understand whether levels are rising.
4. My pH is 6.1 — is that a problem?
Yes, and it may create a bigger problem than the pH reading itself suggests. Water with pH below 6.5 is acidic and corrosive — it actively leaches lead and copper from pipes, solder joints, fixtures, and pump components into your drinking water. If your pH is 6.1 and you haven’t tested for lead and copper, you should do so immediately. Address the pH with a calcite neutralizer or soda ash injection system, and retest for lead and copper after treatment to confirm levels have dropped.
5. My hardness is 320 mg/L. Should I get a water softener?
Hard water at 320 mg/L (about 18.7 GPG — classified as very hard) will cause significant scale buildup in pipes and water heaters, reduce soap effectiveness, and spot dishes and glassware. A water softener addresses these issues effectively. Before purchasing, consider: softened water replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium, which is a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. Salt-free conditioners or template-assisted crystallization (TAC) systems are alternatives worth exploring. Hard water itself is not a health concern — the decision is about home maintenance, appliance longevity, and personal preference.
6. How long should I keep my water test reports?
Keep every water test report permanently — or for as long as you own the property, at minimum. If contamination from a nearby source (agricultural operation, industrial facility, mining, or chemical spill) ever affects your water, historical test records documenting pre-contamination baseline levels are essential evidence for legal claims and remediation programs. They’re also valuable when selling the property, filing insurance claims, and tracking trends in water quality over time. Digital copies stored in the cloud are a practical backup.
