"For homes on private wells across rural Greenville, Pickens, and Anderson counties — and for any household that wants documented water quality information — Bradley & April Wilburn collect samples for independent accredited laboratory analysis."
Water that comes out of your tap looks clean. That doesn't mean it is clean. Water can contain bacteria, nitrates, lead, arsenic, and other contaminants that have no taste, color, or smell — and the only way to know what's actually in your home's water is to test it. For homes connected to municipal water systems, the local utility tests the water it delivers (though plumbing inside the home can still introduce contamination). For homes on private wells, there is no utility — the homeowner is responsible for testing, monitoring, and treating their own water supply.
Bradley Wilburn (SC Licensed Home Inspector #48751) and April Wilburn (SC Licensed Home Inspector #48528), the husband-and-wife team behind Carolina Quality Home Inspection, perform professional water sample collection across Greenville and the Upstate, with all samples sent to an independent accredited laboratory for analysis. We have been collecting water samples from Upstate homes since 2013 — for buyers in active real estate transactions (especially properties on private wells), for current homeowners who simply want documented water quality, and for sellers preparing well properties for market. Water testing can be performed on its own or scheduled together with a general home inspection.
The Upstate has a significant inventory of homes on private wells — particularly in northern Greenville County around Travelers Rest and the Cherokee Foothills, throughout rural Pickens County toward Easley and the Doodle Trail corridor, in Anderson County around Lake Hartwell and toward Pendleton and Belton, and in the rural edges of Spartanburg County. SC well owners are not required to test their wells routinely, which means many wells in active use have never been tested or haven't been tested in years. Bacteria contamination (especially total coliform and E. coli) can enter wells through cracked casings, surface water intrusion, or septic system failures — and those problems often develop with no visible warning signs at the tap.
Beyond bacteria, water testing checks for nitrates (which can come from agricultural runoff, septic systems, or fertilizers and are particularly dangerous for infants), lead (which can leach from older plumbing fixtures and pipes), hardness and pH (which affect plumbing longevity and water-using appliances), and iron and manganese (which cause staining and taste issues). For Upstate homes on private wells, an annual water test is recommended by the EPA. For real estate transactions involving well properties, a current water test is often required by lenders. "A Well-Maintained Home Is A Safe Home."™
Many Upstate properties — especially outside city centers — rely on private wells and septic systems. Travelers Rest and the Cherokee Foothills, rural Pickens County around Easley and the Powdersville corridor, Anderson County around Lake Hartwell and toward Pendleton/Williamston/Belton, and the rural edges of Greenville and Spartanburg counties all have significant well-served housing inventories. Lake Hartwell waterfront properties in particular often combine well water and septic systems located close to the lake — a combination that requires careful testing.
For homebuyers, well water testing is not optional — it's the only way to know what's coming out of the tap. Lenders frequently require a current water test before closing on a well property. For current well owners, the EPA recommends annual testing for bacteria and every few years for the broader contaminant panel. Testing gives you data — not assumptions.
Tests for the presence of coliform and E. coli — the most important bacterial contamination markers for any well water supply.
Tests for elevated nitrate/nitrite levels that can indicate agricultural runoff, septic system contamination, or fertilizer infiltration. Particularly important for households with infants.
Tests for lead contamination, which can leach from older plumbing fixtures, lead solder, and pipes — a particular concern in older Upstate homes regardless of water source.
Measures water hardness, pH balance, and total dissolved solids — parameters that affect plumbing longevity, appliance performance, and overall water aesthetics.
Tests for iron and manganese — common in Upstate well water and responsible for staining, off-flavors, and pipe deposits when present at elevated levels.
All samples are sent to an independent accredited laboratory for analysis. We don't analyze our own samples — keeping our role separate from analysis preserves the credibility of the result.
Call or text us with the property address, water source (well or municipal), and your timeline. Most Upstate water tests can be scheduled within a few business days.
Bradley or April collects water samples following proper chain-of-custody protocols — clean sample bottles, sterile collection technique, and proper labeling and transport.
Samples are delivered to an independent accredited laboratory. Lab turnaround is typically 3-5 business days for the full panel.
Once lab results arrive, we deliver a plain-English summary explaining each parameter, your specific numbers, and how they compare to EPA drinking water standards.
We don't analyze our own samples. Independent accredited laboratory analysis keeps results unbiased — credible documentation lenders, attorneys, and buyers all accept.
Bradley and April are both SC Licensed Home Inspectors. Two perspectives on the well system itself, the wellhead condition, and surrounding factors that may affect water quality.
Plain-English reports that show your numbers next to EPA standards, suitable for sharing with Realtors, lenders, and attorneys for real estate transactions.
Answers to the most common questions Upstate well owners and homebuyers ask about water testing.
Yes. Bacteria, nitrates, and lead all have no taste, no smell, and no visible appearance — water can be heavily contaminated and look perfectly clear from the tap. The only way to know what's in your water is to test it. The EPA recommends annual testing for bacteria on private wells and broader testing every few years.
Sample collection on-site typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Samples are then sent to an independent accredited laboratory, which typically returns results in 3 to 5 business days. We deliver our plain-English summary within 24 hours of receiving lab results — total turnaround typically 4 to 7 days.
Many lenders require a current water test for any home purchase involving a private well — particularly for FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Even when not strictly required by the lender, a current water test is a wise investment for any buyer purchasing a well property. Call or text 864-684-2475 to discuss your specific transaction.
It depends on what was elevated. Bacterial contamination is often addressed through well shock chlorination followed by retest — sometimes the issue is a one-time event. Persistent contamination may require investigation of the well casing, surface water intrusion, or proximity to septic systems. Lead, iron, manganese, and hardness issues can typically be addressed through point-of-entry filtration or treatment. We don't sell filtration or treatment systems — our role is to test and explain results, then point you to qualified professionals.
Carolina Quality Home Inspection performs professional water testing across Greenville and the entire Upstate service area. Click any city below to learn more about our services in that area.
Call Bradley & April today • SC Licensed Home Inspectors • Independent Accredited Lab Analysis • "A Well-Maintained Home Is A Safe Home"™