At-home collection. Laboratory analysis.
Nitrate Check
Measures nitrate levels - a top concern for wells in rural and agricultural areas.
$120.00
Sample kit and laboratory analysis
Order this testCollect at home. Prepaid return packaging included.
Who tests your sampleFulfilled and analyzed by SimpleLab and its Tap Score certified laboratory network.
See what this test measuresLaboratory analysis
Fulfilled by SimpleLab and its Tap Score certified laboratory network.
Prepaid sample return
Collection instructions and prepaid return packaging come with your kit.
A report you can read
See what was measured and how your results compare with drinking-water guidelines.
Test coverage
What it tests for
- Nitrate (reported as mg/L of nitrate-nitrogen)
- Comparison against the EPA 10 mg/L drinking-water limit
Results apply to the items listed here. One test does not check for every possible contaminant.
About 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.
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.
From your tap to the lab
How at-home water testing works
Your kit arrives
Order the test you need. Your kit includes sample containers, collection instructions and prepaid return packaging.
Collect and return your sample
Follow the instructions for your test, then send your sample to the lab using the included return packaging.
Read your laboratory report
Review what was found in your sample, how it compares with drinking-water guidelines and the guidance included with your results.
Before you order
Questions about this test
- 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.
Your next step
Nitrate Check
Collect your sample at home and send it to the lab.
$120.00
Order this testWater 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.