DryZone provides professional private well water testing in Clare, Limerick, Galway & Tipperary with same-day results for 30+ parameters
Safe water for every home with a private well. Clean and safe drinking water is essential for your family’s health, your home appliances, and your peace of mind. Unlike public supplies, private wells are not monitored by Irish Water or the EPA. That means the responsibility is yours – and regular testing is the only way to ensure safety.
At DryZone, we provide professional well water testing directly at your home – no shipping, no waiting weeks. Across Clare and Limerick, our mobile laboratory delivers same-day results for over 30+ parameters, including bacteria, nitrates, heavy metals, hardness, chlorine, turbidity, radon, and radiation
Many Irish households with private wells experience bacteria, nitrates, heavy metals or radon in their water without even knowing. These problems can cause illness, appliance damage, costly repairs, and unpleasant taste or odour.
Why is it important to test your private well water?
Private wells can hide serious problems that affect your health, your family, and your property:
⚠️ Bacteria (E. coli, Coliforms) – illness risk for children and elderly.
⚠️ Nitrates & Nitrites – unsafe for babies and pregnant women, linked to farm runoff.
✅ Hardness (Calcium, Magnesium, Silica, Sulphates) – causes limescale in kettles, boilers, and appliances.
️ ✅ Turbidity & Colour – cloudy water may hide sediment or microbes.
⚠️ Heavy metals (Lead, Copper, Iron, Manganese) – toxic, corrode pipes, long-term health risk. According to the EPA Ireland, the maximum allowed lead concentration in drinking water is 10 µg/L (0.01 mg/L). Even small exceedances are dangerous over time.
☢️ Radon & Radiation – invisible health risks, especially in Irish high-risk areas.
Case Study – Septic Tank Leakage Affecting Private Wells
In Co. Clare, a homeowner contacted DryZone after noticing sewage-like water seeping into their backyard following heavy rainfall. While this case was visible at the surface, such leaks often go unnoticed as wastewater spreads silently through groundwater.
- Ammonium > 5 mg/L (10× higher than the EPA safe limit)
- High nitrites and strong sewage-like odour
- Turbidity 11.6 NTU (far above the safe limit of 1 NTU)
- Presence of coliform bacteria
- Summary certificate report for personal or rental use
These results confirmed infiltration of septic tank wastewater into the local groundwater system. This posed a direct risk not only to the homeowner’s well, but also to neighbouring private wells and farm reservoirs used for livestock.
- Overflowing or poorly maintained septic tanks may leak sewage into nearby wells.
- Animal slurry from farms can seep into the soil and contaminate private wells.
- Chemical fertilisers and pesticides can be washed into groundwater during irrigation.
Immediate corrective measures were taken to stop the contamination, but this example highlights why regular private well testing is essential to detect hidden risks before they affect health and safety.
Private Wells vs Public Water Supply
Unlike public water supplies, which are regularly monitored and treated by Irish Water and the EPA, private wells are entirely the homeowner’s responsibility. This means contamination from bacteria, nitrates, septic tanks, or farm runoff can easily go unnoticed without regular testing.
The comparison below highlights the key differences between private well water and public water supply — and why every private well owner should arrange regular water analysis to protect their family’s health.
| Aspect | Private Well | Public Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Responsibility | Homeowner must ensure water quality | Irish Water & EPA regulated |
| Testing | Voluntary but strongly advised annually | Mandatory statutory monitoring |
| Risks | Bacteria, nitrates, heavy metals, radon | Generally treated & disinfected |
| Treatment | Owner must install filters or UV systems | Centrally treated & monitored |
Health Risks of Contaminated Well Water
⚠️ • Nitrates above 50 mg/L can cause ‘blue baby syndrome’ in infants, a potentially fatal condition.
⚠️ • E.coli and coliform bacteria cause gastrointestinal illness, diarrhoea, and long-term health issues.
⚠️ • Lead and copper accumulation affects child development and damages organs over time.
• Radon in well water adds to indoor exposure, increasing the risk of lung cancer.
EPA & HSE Guidelines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health Service Executive (HSE) recommend annual testing for private well water. Additional testing should be carried out immediately if you notice changes in taste, smell, colour, or if agricultural activity nearby could affect your groundwater.
Our Services for Private Well Owners
DryZone checks all essential parameters for private wells. You can order:
– Microbiology (E.coli, Coliforms, Legionella on request)
– Chemical (Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonium, Sulphates, Chlorides, pH, TDS, EC)
– Metals (Iron, Manganese, Copper, Lead)
– Physical (Turbidity, Colour, Odour, Taste)
– Safety (Radon in water, gamma background)
Every client receives a Certificate of Results, and on request, a Recommended Solution tailored to their water.
How It Works
1. Click “Request This Package” or “Get My Custom Quote”.
2. Fill in the request form, selecting the water tests you need.
3. Our mobile laboratory arrives at your home.
4. On-site analysis using professional instruments (photometers, microbiology kits, radon detectors).
5. Receive clear results within 12–24 hours and a certified PDF report within 24–48 hours.
6. If needed, we recommend and install the most suitable filtration system to keep your water safe.
Don’t take risks with your private well water. Schedule your Private Well Water Test with DryZone and ensure your family’s health and safety.
Choose a Water Testing Package or Build Your Own
We offer ready-made service packages based on common needs, or you can customise your test list for your unique situation by pressing the button “Request This Package” or “Get My Custom Quote”.
Level 1
€270 | Results in 1 Day | On-Site Testing
Extra Services
Helps you understand not just what’s in your water — but what to do about it.
Perfect for property sales, schools, or legal disputes.
Request This Package
SMART WATER DIAGNOSTIC
A fast, professional water check-up for your private well, mains supply, or household system. Find out if your water is safe to drink and use — without lab delays or hidden costs.
- Nitrates(NO₃) – dangerous for children and pregnant women
- Iron(Fe) – causes rust stains, metallic taste, and sediment
- Chlorides(Cl⁻) & Hardness(GH) – affect taste, plumbing, appliances
- Turbidity, Taste & Odour – what you feel and smell every day
- pH & Conductivity – for balance, corrosion, and filter selection
- Advanced indicators – oxidation-reduction (ORP), salinity
- Includes 11 essential water quality tests
- All tests done on-site, no sample delivery needed
- Professional interpretation of your results
- Clear advice on filtration, treatment, or what’s not needed
- Summary certificate report for personal or rental use
Ideal for homeowners, landlords, property buyers and private well users.
Want more than just numbers?
Get a professional summary with clear recommendations on filtration, treatment, and follow-up steps — based on your actual test results. Ideal for private wells and home system planning.
Get a professional summary with clear recommendations on filtration, treatment, and follow-up steps — based on your actual test results. Ideal for private wells and home system planning.
Helps you understand not just what’s in your water — but what to do about it.
Need an official report for legal, sales, or compliance purposes?
We partner with INAB-accredited Irish laboratories to provide certified lab analysis on request. Turnaround: ~10-14 working days.
We partner with INAB-accredited Irish laboratories to provide certified lab analysis on request. Turnaround: ~10-14 working days.
Perfect for property sales, schools, or legal disputes.
Level 2
€645 | 21 Parameters | Results in 1–2 Days | On-Site + Lab-Ready
Extra Services
Helps you understand not just what’s in your water — but what to do about it.
Perfect for property sales, schools, or legal disputes.
Request This Package
EXTENDED WATER QUALITY TEST
This package includes everything from Level 1, plus advanced microbiological tests, mineral balance, and water disinfection checks.
It’s the perfect choice if you rely on a private well, use filtration systems, or want to make sure your family drinks truly safe water.
Level up your water knowledge — and protect those who depend on it.
- Bacteria (E. coli, Total Coliforms) – detect contamination from wells, tanks, or plumbing
- Free & Total Chlorine – check disinfection efficiency and skin-safe levels
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) & Dissolved Oxygen (O₂) – vital for aeration and treatment planning
- Alkalinity (KH), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfates (SO₄²⁻) – assess mineral balance and scaling risk
- ➕ Includes all Level 1 tests:
- • Nitrates (NO₃) – harmful to children and pregnant women
- • Iron (Fe) – causes rust stains and metallic taste
- • Chlorides (Cl⁻) & Hardness (GH) – affect taste, pipes, appliances
- • Turbidity, Taste & Odour – what you feel and smell every day
- • pH & Conductivity – for corrosion control and filter decisions
- • Advanced indicators – oxidation-reduction (ORP), salinity
- 21 in-depth water quality tests — physical, chemical, bacterial and mineral balance
- Bacteria check (E. coli, coliforms) — spot dangerous contamination early and needs a UV lamp
- Chlorine & disinfection test — see if your water is protected, disinfection efficiency and skin-safe levels
- Gas & mineral balance — helps plan or adjust filters, aeration, softeners
- Real-world results on-site — no waiting, no sample shipping
- Simple report — clear for your records or to show tenants or inspectors
- Trusted for wells, B&Bs, rentals, farms — built for real Irish water problems
This is not a basic check — it’s the smart standard for homes that take water seriously.
Want more than just numbers?
Get a professional summary with clear recommendations on filtration, treatment, and follow-up steps — based on your actual test results. Ideal for private wells and home system planning.
Get a professional summary with clear recommendations on filtration, treatment, and follow-up steps — based on your actual test results. Ideal for private wells and home system planning.
Helps you understand not just what’s in your water — but what to do about it.
Need an official report for legal, sales, or compliance purposes?
We partner with INAB-accredited Irish laboratories to provide certified lab analysis on request. Turnaround: ~10-14 working days.
We partner with INAB-accredited Irish laboratories to provide certified lab analysis on request. Turnaround: ~10-14 working days.
Perfect for property sales, schools, or legal disputes.
Level 3
€1,185 | 30+ Parameters | Most Advanced Test
Extra Services
Helps you understand not just what’s in your water — but what to do about it.
Perfect for property sales, schools, or legal disputes.
Request This Package
FULL WATER SAFETY TESTS
For homes, rentals and businesses where water safety can’t be left to chance.
This is the most advanced test we offer — with bacteria, heavy metals, Legionella and all critical risks covered.
- Legionella spp. – required for B&Bs, vulnerable groups, showers and rental checks
- Heavy metals: Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn) – plumbing & health risk
- Nitrites (NO₂), Ammonium (NH₄) – pollution indicators, dangerous for kids
- Silica (Si) – scaling, clogging, filtration wear
- ➕ Includes all from Level 2 & Level 1:
- Full-spectrum testing for 30+ parameters
- Ideal for compliance, peace of mind, or resale
- Can be paired with an INAB-accredited certificate report
- Clear summary + add-on expert recommendations
- SWidely used by landlords, schools, B&Bs, clinics
If you’re renting, hosting or caring — this is the standard that protects you and others.
You don’t just check your water. You prove it’s safe.
Want more than just numbers?
Get a professional summary with clear recommendations on filtration, treatment, and follow-up steps — based on your actual test results. Ideal for private wells and home system planning.
Get a professional summary with clear recommendations on filtration, treatment, and follow-up steps — based on your actual test results. Ideal for private wells and home system planning.
Helps you understand not just what’s in your water — but what to do about it.
Need an official report for legal, sales, or compliance purposes?
We partner with INAB-accredited Irish laboratories to provide certified lab analysis on request. Turnaround: ~8-12 working days.
We partner with INAB-accredited Irish laboratories to provide certified lab analysis on request. Turnaround: ~8-12 working days.
Perfect for property sales, schools, or legal disputes.
Private Well Testing: Issues, Health Risks and DryZone Solutions
| Water Problem | Health / Home Risk | DryZone Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria (E. coli, Coliforms, Legionella) | Diarrhoea, infections, dangerous for kids & elderly | On-site microbiology test + UV disinfection |
| Nitrates & Nitrites | Unsafe for infants & pregnant women | Express nitrate test + tailored filtration advice |
| Lead, Copper, Iron, Manganese | Toxic metals, rust stains, long-term health risk | Heavy metal screening + certified filtration |
| Hardness (Ca, Mg, Silica, Sulphates) | Boiler scaling, blocked appliances, costly repairs | Hardness test + softener installation |
| Turbidity & Colour | Cloudy water, may hide bacteria or sediment | Turbidity meter + tailored treatment |
| Radon in Water | Long-term cancer risk from indoor exposure | Radon test + mitigation system installation |
Before & After:
Private Well Water Testing Case Studies
Every home tells a story. These before-and-after water test results show how families across Ireland turned unsafe, hard, or unpleasant water into clean, safe drinking water. With the right treatment, the change is immediate — and the peace of mind is priceless.
Test before filtration
Test after filtration
Recommendations
Private Well Water Testing Parameters and Safe Limits (Ireland & EU Standards)
| Parameter | What It Indicates | EPA/EU Safe Limit | Why It Matters in Wells | Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E.coli | Microbial contamination | 0 CFU/100ml | Faecal pollution, causes illness | UV disinfection, shock chlorination |
| Total Coliforms | General bacterial presence | 0 CFU/100ml | Signals contamination pathway | UV disinfection |
| Nitrates (NO₃) | Agricultural runoff | 50 mg/L | Dangerous for infants (blue baby syndrome) | Reverse Osmosis, Ion Exchange |
| Nitrites (NO₂) | Incomplete breakdown of nitrates | 0.5 mg/L | Toxic even in small amounts | Reverse Osmosis |
| Ammonium (NH₄) | Organic pollution | 0.30 mg/L | Indicates sewage or farm runoff | Biological treatment, filtration |
| Iron (Fe) | Soil minerals, pipe corrosion | 0.2 mg/L | Stains fixtures, bad taste | Iron filters, oxidation + filtration |
| Manganese (Mn) | Natural deposits | 0.05 mg/L | Stains fixtures, neurological effects | Manganese filters |
| Lead (Pb) | Old pipes, groundwater | 0.01 mg/L | Toxic heavy metal, accumulates in body | Activated carbon, RO filters |
| Copper (Cu) | Pipe corrosion | 2.0 mg/L | Irritates stomach, plumbing damage | pH correction, carbon filters |
| pH | Acidity/alkalinity | 6.5 – 9.5 | Affects corrosion & disinfection | pH correction units |
| Hardness (Ca+Mg) | Mineral content | No legal limit | Scaling in pipes & appliances | Water softeners |
| Turbidity | Cloudiness from particles | <1 NTU | Reduces disinfection, indicates pollution | Sediment filters |
| Radon | Radioactive gas in water | EPA guideline | Adds to indoor exposure, cancer risk | Aeration, activated carbon |
Extended Parameters for Comprehensive Analysis
| Parameter | What It Indicates | EPA/EU Safe Limit | Why It Matters in Wells | Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphates (SO₄) | Geological sources, pollution | 250 mg/L | Causes diarrhoea, taste issues | Reverse Osmosis |
| Chlorides (Cl⁻) | Salt intrusion, fertilisers | 250 mg/L | Affects taste, corrodes pipes | RO or ion exchange |
| Free Chlorine | Residual disinfectant | 0.1–0.5 mg/L | Ensures microbiological safety | Control dosing levels |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | All dissolved substances | 1000 mg/L | Affects taste, scaling | Reverse Osmosis |
| Electrical Conductivity (EC) | Mineral salts in water | 2500 µS/cm | Indicates salinity | Reverse Osmosis |
| Silica (Si) | Natural minerals | No legal limit | Scaling in kettles, boilers | Special silica filters |
| Oxygen (O₂) | Aeration level | No legal limit | Affects corrosion, taste | Aeration systems |
Areas We Cover
Serving Clare, Limerick, Galway & Tipperary
DryZone Lab is based in Shannon, Co. Clare, and we proudly provide mobile testing services across:
- County Clare (Shannon, Ennis, Killaloe, Kilrush, Scarriff, Tulla, Newmarket‑on‑Fergus, Sixmilebridge, Bunratty, Clarecastle, Quin , Cratloe and more)
- County Limerick (including Limerick city and surrounding areas)
- County Galway (Gort & especially the southern and eastern areas)
- County Tipperary (Nenagh, Borrisokane, and nearby)
We also cover other locations in the region by request.
If you’re not sure whether we serve your area, just send us a message — we’ll do our best to assist.
If you’re not sure whether we serve your area, just send us a message — we’ll do our best to assist.
FAQ – Private Well Water Testing
It can be, but it’s not regulated. Annual testing is essential.
At least once a year, or immediately if you notice changes in taste, smell, or colour.
We provide a certified report and recommend tailored treatment solutions.
Yes, we install filters, UV disinfection units, softeners.
Whether you’re just curious or urgently need answers — we’re here to help.
Tell us about your home, well, or business, and we’ll recommend the right test or filtration solution.
Protect your family and investment with fast, on-site water testing for houses, private wells, and before buying a home.
Ensure safe water for schools, care homes, and hospitality facilities — or validate your filter performance with certified testing.
School & Nursing Water Test
Care Facility Water Test
Hotel Water Safety Test
Health Check for Hotels
Pre-Filter Water Check
Test Water First
Get clear insights on bacteria, toxic metals, turbidity, pH, and TDS levels — fast and on-site with laboratory-grade equipment.
Microbiological Water Test
Check Drinking Water Now
Heavy Metal Water Test
Test for Toxic Metals
Smell or Cloudy Water
Turbidity, pH, TDS, ORP Check
