When you're obtaining an FHA loan to purchase a home, that relies on a private well for its drinking water supply, testing for Total Coliform, Nitrate/ Nitrite and Lead (Pb) to ensure the water meets safety standards.

• FHA guidelines are designed as a public health protection to safeguard the health and well-being of homeowners by ensuring the water is safe for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
• Because FHA loans primarily target low to moderate-income households and/ or first-time homebuyers, the FHA guidelines help to assure the properties they are investing in have a safe drinking water supply.
• Since FHA loans are government-insured mortgages, the pre-purchase water test assure the lender that the property used as collateral meets a minimum standard, protecting the government's interest in the property.

Properties with private wells are required for homes applying for FHA Loans. Homes supplied with public water are not required as public water supplies are already monitored for health and safety based on other regulations.

What parameters does the FHA water test for?

The FHA water test generally focuses on detecting contaminants that can potentially pose health risks. Common contaminants tested include 3 tests:

1. Bacteria: Including coliform and E. coli, which can indicate the presence of more dangerous pathogens. The analytical test is often referred to as Total Coliform. When no Coliform is detected, the report result will read ‘Absent’. If Coliform is present, a secondary evaluation to check for E.Coli (i.e., Escherichia coli) is done. In that instance there are two report options:
   
   1. Total Coliform – ‘Present’ E.Coli – ‘Absent’ or
   2. Total Coliform – ‘Present’ E.Coli – ‘Present’
   
   In both cases, it is advised to sanitize the well. (Refer to other section on ‘Sanitizing a Well’ on our website.)
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2. Nitrates and Nitrites: High levels of nitrates can be especially harmful to infants and pregnant women. An elevated Nitrate or Nitrite may indicate other sources of contamination. The maximum contamination limit (MCL) set forth by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) is 10 mg/L (10 parts per million) for Nitrate and 1.0 mg/L (1 parts per million) for Nitrite.
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3. Lead (Pb): To ensure the water is free of lead contamination, which can leach from old pipes or other sources. Home that are built before 1986 are more likely to have lead piping in their water systems than houses built after that year. Often, homes and plumbing are upgraded but it is still recommended and required to test for Pb in water for an FHA Loan. The maximum contamination limit (MCL) set forth by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) is 15 micrograms/L (15 parts per billion).

While FHA testing focuses on the 3 specific contaminants outlined, homeowners might consider a more comprehensive water quality test for a broader assessment of their water supply. Often, other contaminants like Iron, (Fe), Manganese (Mg), Hardness as Calcium and Magnesium, Alkalinity, and pH are added to the test parameter. These additional parameters, although not required, give a very good assessment of over-all water quality. Hardness, Iron and pH are discussed in other sections of the website.

It is recommended to consult with your loan officer to understand the specific FHA Loan based water testing requirements in your area, as some requirements may vary based on local regulations.

How and where to get your water tested for an FHA Loan

A certified technician from PAL will collect water samples from the property's taps. The samples are then taken back to the laboratory for analysis. PAL will issue a detailed report of the findings, indicating whether the water meets the necessary FHA standards.

If the test reveals any contamination in the 3 areas of testing, corrective measures may be required before the FHA loan can be approved. These measures could include installing a water filtration system or treating the well in other ways. In most cases, the mitigation is minimal but be aware that it can become involved depending on the testing results.

It's important to use an EPA-Certified Laboratory for water testing for FHA loan purposes. PAL is an EPA/ PA DEP certified testing laboratory since 2012. The water test results are usually valid for 90 days prior to closing, but that may vary depending on specific lenders requirements.

• Consult with your loan officer to understand the specific FHA water testing requirements in your area, as some requirements may vary based on local regulations.

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