How to Read Your Well Water Test Results
You got your water test results back — now what? The numbers and abbreviations can be confusing if you've never seen them before. This guide explains what each parameter means, what levels are concerning for Southern Maryland well water, and what treatment options address each problem.
The Key Parameters for Southern Maryland Well Water
Southern Maryland well water commonly has issues with pH, iron, manganese, hardness, and sulfur. Bacteria and nitrates are less common but serious when present. Here's what each parameter means and what action is warranted.
pH
Acidic water corrodes pipes, fixtures, and water heaters. Causes blue-green staining on copper. Accelerates anode rod consumption. Fix: acid neutralizer.
Iron (Fe)
Causes orange/rust staining on fixtures, laundry, and appliances. Metallic taste. Clogs pipes and appliances over time. Fix: iron filter.
Manganese (Mn)
Black or dark brown staining. Neurological concerns at high levels. Often found alongside iron. Fix: iron/manganese filter.
Hardness
Scale buildup in pipes, water heater, and appliances. Reduces soap lather. Shortens appliance life. Fix: water softener.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Indicates overall mineral load. High TDS can affect taste and indicates multiple dissolved minerals. Fix: depends on specific minerals present.
Hydrogen Sulfide / Sulfur
Rotten egg odor. Reacts with magnesium anode rods. Corrosive to copper and brass. Fix: oxidizing filter or aeration system.
Total Coliform
Indicates potential contamination pathway. Not always directly harmful but signals the well may be vulnerable to pathogens. Fix: shock chlorination + UV disinfection.
E. coli
Fecal contamination. Direct health risk. Requires immediate action — do not drink the water. Fix: shock chlorination + UV disinfection + well inspection.
Nitrates (NO3)
Health risk especially for infants. Common near agricultural land or septic systems. Fix: reverse osmosis at point of use.
What If Multiple Parameters Are Elevated?
In Southern Maryland, it's common to have multiple issues simultaneously — low pH, high iron, and hardness together are the most typical combination. When multiple parameters are elevated, the treatment system needs to address all of them in the correct order of operation.
The sequence matters: acid neutralizer first (raises pH), then iron filter (removes iron and manganese), then water softener (removes hardness), then UV disinfection (kills bacteria) if needed. Installing components in the wrong order causes equipment failure and reduced effectiveness.
What to Do With Your Results
If your test shows any of the following, call a licensed plumber immediately:
- E. coli present — do not drink the water until the well is treated and retested
- Total coliform present — have the well inspected and shock-chlorinated
- Nitrates above 10 mg/L — use bottled water for infants and pregnant women
For aesthetic issues (iron, hardness, pH, sulfur), the water is safe to use while you arrange treatment — but the sooner you address it, the less damage accumulates in your pipes and appliances.
Call Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland at (443) 440-0632. We'll review your test results with you, explain what they mean in plain language, and design the right treatment system for your specific water chemistry.
Water Treatment Services
Related Articles
- Why Maryland Well Water Turns Orange
- Best Water Filter for Maryland Well Water
- How to Test Your Well Water in Maryland
- Understanding Water Softeners
- UV Disinfection for Well Water
- Sulfur Smell in Well Water — Causes & Fixes
- Iron Bacteria Explained
- Well Water pH Problems in Maryland
- Calvert County Water Quality Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Written & Reviewed By
Terry Foster Jr.
Maryland Licensed Master Plumber & Gas Fitter · License #98433 · Plumbing Manager & Lead Technician
Terry Foster Jr. is a Maryland Licensed Master Plumber and Gas Fitter with over 20 years of hands-on experience in well systems, water treatment, drain & sewer, water heaters, and emergency plumbing throughout Calvert and Anne Arundel County. He is the Plumbing Manager and lead technician at Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland, founded by his wife Priscilla Foster. Every article on this site is written or reviewed by Terry based on real field experience — not generic internet research.
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Savannah Foster
Southern Maryland
May 2026
"Absolutely blown away by the service from Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland! We had ongoing issues with our well water for years — bad smell, staining, and constant problems with pressure — and nobody ever took the time to truly figure out the root cause. Terry and the team came out, performed a full water analysis, explained everything in detail, and designed a system specifically for our home instead of just trying to sell us random equipment. You can really tell they care about doing things the right way. The install was extremely clean and professional, they walked us through how everything works, and our water has never looked or tasted better. The difference is unbelievable."
Tim A.
Southern Maryland
June 2026
"We had our water heater leak and flood our basement. Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland came out Saturday morning and got us a new heater same day for a very reasonable price, and also replaced the shutoff valve that was old and wouldn't stop dripping."
Joshua Scheper
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Southern Maryland
May 2026
"I've worked with Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland several times and always come away amazed at how thorough they are. I would definitely recommend them."
Got Your Water Test Results and Not Sure What They Mean?
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