Many well water contaminants cannot be detected by taste, smell, or appearance.
ClearFlow's trained specialists test your well water on-site for common well concerns — including nitrates, iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and hardness — and provide a written report of your results at no charge.
- Free in-home well water test — no obligation to purchase
- On-site testing for common well water concerns
- Written report of your results
- Serving rural SC and NC counties
Why Well Water Is Different
City water users and well water users face fundamentally different risks.
Systems we commonly quote
- Regulation — 🪣 None — you own it, you test it
- Testing Frequency — 🪣 Your responsibility (annual minimum)
- Treatment — 🪣 None unless you install it
- Top Risks — 🪣 Bacteria, nitrates, iron, arsenic, H₂S
Every system is sized to your water test results and your home, so we don't publish prices. You get a written quote after your free in-home test, with no obligation to buy.
What affects the price
- Your measured hardness, iron, sulfur or tannin levels
- City water or a private well
- Household size, bathrooms and daily water use
- Plumbing access and whether a bypass and drain are already in place
- Whether you need one stage or several working together
Common Well Water Problems in SC & NC
SC and NC's coastal plain and Piedmont geology creates specific well water challenges. Here's what to watch for.
Rotten Egg Smell
Hydrogen sulfide from sulfur bacteria in your well or aquifer.
Orange / Rust Staining
Dissolved iron oxidizing on fixtures, tubs, and laundry.
Nitrates
Agricultural fertilizer runoff — the EPA sets a limit of 10 mg/L.
Hard Water
Scale on appliances, dry skin, spotted dishes.
Manganese (Black Staining)
Dark deposits on sinks and fixtures from mineral-rich groundwater.
Arsenic
Naturally occurring in some SC & NC bedrock; EPA limit is 10 ppb.
Cloudy or Turbid Water
Sediment, bacteria, or disturbed aquifer — needs immediate testing.
Tannin Discoloration
Brown or tea-colored water from organic matter — common in coastal SC & NC.
When Should You Test Your Well?
Every Year
- Coliform bacteria & E. coli
- Nitrates
- pH
- Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Every 3–5 Years
- Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, iron, manganese)
- PFAS / forever chemicals
- Pesticides & herbicides
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Test Immediately If:
- Water taste, smell, or appearance changes
- Flooding near your well
- Family illness that may be waterborne
- New agricultural activity nearby
Before Buying a Home
- Full panel including bacteria, metals, nitrates
- PFAS if near military/industrial areas
- Radon (Piedmont SC & NC)
- All SC DHEC / NC DWR recommended parameters
Well Water Testing by County
Well Water Treatment by city
- Well Water Treatment in Myrtle Beach, SC
- Well Water Treatment in Conway, SC
- Well Water Treatment in Wilmington, NC
- Well Water Treatment in Charleston, SC
- Well Water Treatment in Greenville, SC
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How often should I test my well water in SC or NC?
At minimum annually for bacteria, nitrates, and pH. Every 3–5 years for a comprehensive panel including heavy metals, arsenic, PFAS, VOCs, and hardness. Test immediately if you notice any change in taste, smell, or appearance.
What contaminants are most common in SC and NC well water?
Iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell), hardness minerals, nitrates from agricultural areas, tannins in coastal plain regions, arsenic in Piedmont areas, and PFAS near military or industrial sites.
Is private well water regulated by the EPA?
No. The Safe Drinking Water Act only covers public water systems. Private well owners are entirely responsible for their own water quality — there is no government testing or oversight of private wells.
What is the difference between well water and city water?
City water is treated and monitored by a utility under federal and state regulations before delivery. Well water is groundwater drawn directly from an aquifer and is untreated unless the owner installs treatment, so testing is the owner's responsibility.
Can my well water have PFAS?
Yes. Wells near military bases, industrial sites, or agricultural areas with PFAS-treated fields can have PFAS contamination. ClearFlow tests specifically for PFAS in well water across SC and NC.
How do I get a free well water test in SC or NC?
Call ClearFlow at (843) 742-1196 or book online. A trained specialist will come to your home, test your well water on-site, and provide a written report of the results at no charge.