living in Co at 7400 ft I had to use a well. Be careful using a water softener, ours saturated our leech field in our septic system and gave us a real head ache when we tried to sell the house.

I contacted the local Pa state certified lab for a new well test kit - they offer test packages from 50-150$ dependent on what you want to test for- everything from simple fa loan required to chemicals , etc. The package came with all sample bottles and supplies needed to perform the collection . Btw when testing for bacteria the samples need to be refrigerated with ice blocks until the lab gets them.

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Originally posted by valkyrie1:
living in Co at 7400 ft I had to use a well. Be careful using a water softener, ours saturated our leech field in our septic system and gave us a real head ache when we tried to sell the house.

That’s a great point. Back in NC my neighbor’s softener system flushed into his septic system. He had to have it pumped often as the salt used in the softener killed the bacteria in the septic system.

My system used potassium permaganate (green sand) to remove iron. and bleach was used to flush the system…but I had my system intentionally drained separate from the septic. Literally ran to the ditch in front of the house.

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My system used potassium permaganate (green sand) to remove iron. and bleach was used to flush the system…but I had my system intentionally drained separate from the septic. Literally ran to the ditch in front of the house.

Same with mine, ran the softener discharge to a drainage ditch behind the house.

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Originally posted by MikeinNC:
That’s a great point. Back in NC my neighbor’s softener system flushed into his septic system. He had to have it pumped often as the salt used in the softener killed the bacteria in the septic system.

We've lived in our home for over twenty-nine years. Our water softener discharge runs into the septic system. We've had the septic tank pumped every 3-5 years. Each time it's been pumped the guy has told us everything was in fine shape.

Search: do water softeners damage septic systems

Consensus: Not only does water softener discharge not adversely affect septic systems, but the effluent may actually improve leech field soil percolation.

(I already knew all this because I researched it before I bought the home.)

Sorry going to have to disagree with the consensus. My softener went directly into the septic tank, wouldn't pass inspection. Had to stick a hose down the vent pipe and use an electric pump to run the excess water down the hill. Was gray water. Didn't feel good about it but creating a new leech field would of been extremely costly and time consuming.

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Originally posted by vandrv:

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Originally posted by SBrooks:

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Originally posted by TMats:
Your state EPA will test your water for a very reasonable fee. Not a bad idea to do it annually, and sometimes I take my own advice.

Not in TN. We get calls all the time and refer them to their water utility folks or independent labs.

Regarding the OP: I would think if hardness and softeners were your main deal - an off the shelf kit would do just fine. If you are wanting to check on metals or organic chemicals and such, you'll definitely need to get a lab to do the work. And how you collect the sample (see comment above about kitchen cabinets causing issues...) is very important.

I don’t see where my state or county offer any sort of water testing, so was wondering if you could recommend a test lab or are they all pretty much the same?
I’m sure hardness is a problem so will go ahead and see what I can find in the way of a water softener. I’ve never worried too much about chemicals in the water, but maybe I should start. I just know the water hasn’t killed me yet.

If we stil had yellow pages....
I would pick someone reasonably close to you so that you don't have to pay shipping charges and deal with sealing up coolers and such. They will give you the correct bottles for whatever parameters you want tested and they will explain (ask if they don't) how they want you to treat the faucet or run the water first, etc. Some analytes need preservative (acid or EDTA for example) in the bottle when you take the sample - so don't just fill a jar or jug and take it somewhere. Get on google for the nearest decent sized city and look for Testamerica, microbac, or "water testing laboratory" or something similar. The idea of asking a home inspector if he/she knows a lab to use might also work.

Regarding someone's comment about university - I don't know if ours do that or not. Never asked. I work for the TN version of "EPA" in our Water Resources Division. We regulate/inspect drinking water systems, waste water treatment plants, and industries that discharge anything into our streams and rivers.

No advice on testing your water. Installing a water softener is simple. Connect the inlet fitting to the incoming water supply. The outlet fitting connects to the household supply line. My well water is very hard lots of iron. I have an iron removal unit that is connected to the incoming water line with the outlet connected to the water softener then to household supply line. I also have a R O system with UV for drinking and cooking use. The discharge goes into the septic system. No problems there but I have two drain fields which I switch every two years. After sitting for two years they are good to go again. As for water softeners some of do not like salt that contains iron out.