Nitrate Check
Measures nitrate levels - a top concern for wells in rural and agricultural areas.
$120.00Ships to your door
Order this testAbout this test
The Nitrate Check measures the level of nitrate in your well water. Nitrate is one of the most common contaminants in private wells, especially in rural and agricultural areas where fertilizer, manure, and septic systems can leach into groundwater. It is colorless and tasteless, so testing is the only way to detect it. The EPA drinking-water limit for nitrate is 10 mg/L (as nitrogen); levels above that are a particular risk for infants under six months and for pregnant women. This test gives you a precise nitrate measurement so you know exactly where your water stands.
What it tests for
- Nitrate (reported as mg/L of nitrate-nitrogen)
- Comparison against the EPA 10 mg/L drinking-water limit
Why it matters
High nitrate is the contaminant most directly linked to a serious, well-documented health risk in private wells: methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants. Because nitrate cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, and because levels can rise seasonally with rainfall and fertilizer use, a periodic numeric measurement is the only reliable safeguard.
Who it is for: Best for households near farmland, feedlots, or septic systems, and for any home with an infant, a pregnant resident, or someone planning a pregnancy. Worth testing annually if you live in an agricultural area.
How home sampling works
No technician visit required. You collect the sample yourself in a few minutes and mail it to the lab.
- 1
Order online
Choose your test and check out. Your kit ships to your door with everything you need to collect a sample at home.
- 2
Collect your sample
Follow the step-by-step instructions in the kit to fill the sample bottles straight from your tap or wellhead. It takes just a few minutes.
- 3
Mail it back
Drop the prepaid package in the mail. Your sample is sent directly to the certified lab for analysis.
- 4
Get clear results
You receive an easy-to-read report explaining what was found, how it compares to drinking-water guidelines, and what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is nitrate a concern for my well?
- Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizer, manure, and septic systems. It is especially common in agricultural areas. Levels above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L are dangerous for infants under six months and for pregnant women.
- Can I see or taste high nitrate in my water?
- No. Nitrate is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Laboratory testing is the only way to know your nitrate level.
- What should I do if my nitrate is above the limit?
- Do not give the water to infants and avoid using it for formula. Use an alternate water source while you address the cause. Treatment options such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation can reduce nitrate; retest after any change.
Ready to test your well?
Order the Nitrate Check and get clear, lab-backed results with guidance on exactly what to do next.
Order this test$120.00
Water tests are fulfilled and analyzed by SimpleLab and its Tap Score certified laboratory network. DrillerDB helps you order the right test for your well; lab analysis and reporting are provided by SimpleLab.