Properties on well water need a complete system inspection AND a water sample tested at the county lab — most inspectors don't perform both. Texas Inspection delivers the full evaluation, from pump and pressure switch to chlorine, coliform, and E.coli testing.
Properties served by water wells aren't connected to a municipal treatment system. The water coming out of the tap goes straight from the ground into the home — which means the safety, quality, and reliability of that water is entirely on the homeowner. Before you buy a property on well water, you need to know two things: does the system work properly, and is the water actually safe to drink.
Texas Inspection delivers both. A complete visual inspection of the well system plus a water sample dropped off at the county water lab for chlorine, total coliform, and E.coli testing. It's a level of service most home inspectors in the region don't perform end-to-end.
Every water well inspection covers two distinct phases: a thorough visual evaluation of the system hardware, and a water sample collected and delivered to the county lab for safety testing.
Texas Inspection performs a visual inspection for proper installation of the tank and pump — including tank type and size, pump type and rating, well casing type and condition where visible, gauge operation, pressure switch installation and settings, and all associated plumbing.
A gallon-per-minute (GPM) flow test measures the actual output of the system to verify it can sustain real household demand. We also measure the amperage draw on Lines 1 and 2 during pump cycling, which tells us whether the pump is running efficiently or showing signs of wear and impending failure.
The most important step many inspectors skip: a water sample is collected and dropped off at the county water lab to determine the presence, if any, of chlorine, total coliform, and E.coli. These are the contaminants that determine whether the water is safe for your family to drink, cook with, and bathe in.
Properties on well water carry risks municipal-water properties don't. Here's what's actually on the line when the well doesn't get a thorough inspection:
E.coli and total coliform bacteria can enter a well system through cracked casing, surface contamination, or nearby septic issues. Without lab testing, you can't see, smell, or taste the difference — but the health risk is real.
A failing well pump or pressure system can run $2,000 to $8,000+ to replace, depending on depth and access. The amperage draw and GPM tests catch failing systems before you close — not after.
A well can appear to "work" while actually being undersized for the home. The GPM flow test reveals whether the system can keep up with normal household demand or if you'll be running dry every time multiple fixtures run at once.
Most home inspectors won't touch well systems. Of those who will, even fewer perform the full county lab water sample testing. Here's why Texas Inspection is different.
From scheduling to lab results, here's exactly what to expect when you book a water well inspection with Texas Inspection.
Call Kenny at 979-297-1755 to book your water well inspection. We'll coordinate with your closing timeline and ensure the lab sample timing works for your schedule.
Kenny arrives on site, performs the full visual inspection of tank, pump, casing, gauges, and pressure switch — and runs the GPM flow test plus amperage draw measurements.
A clean water sample is collected following county lab protocols and dropped off at the county water lab for chlorine, total coliform, and E.coli testing.
You receive a detailed inspection report with photos and findings. Lab water testing results are forwarded as soon as they're returned from the county.
Absolutely. A seller's word — even an honest one — isn't a substitute for actual lab testing. You can't see, smell, or taste E.coli or total coliform contamination. The only way to know whether the water is safe for your family is laboratory analysis. And the only way to know whether the system itself is reliable is a professional GPM flow test and amperage draw measurement.
The on-site inspection typically takes 1 to 2 hours including the GPM flow test. The county lab water sample requires a few additional days for results to come back from the lab — but the on-site work is completed in a single visit.
The gallon-per-minute (GPM) flow test measures the actual sustained water output of the well system under load. This tells you whether the well can keep up with normal household demand — multiple fixtures running at once, irrigation, laundry, etc. A well can appear to "work" but be dramatically undersized, leaving you running dry. The GPM test is the only way to know.
Amperage draw on Lines 1 and 2 reveals whether the pump is running efficiently or whether it's working harder than it should — a clear indicator of pump wear, bearing failure, or impending breakdown. Catching this before closing means the seller fixes it. Catching it after closing means you write a $2,000-8,000 check.
The water sample is tested for chlorine, total coliform bacteria, and E.coli. These are the three contaminants that determine whether your water is safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Total coliform indicates surface contamination has entered the system; E.coli specifically indicates fecal contamination — a serious health hazard.
Almost always. Properties on well water are typically also on septic systems (no municipal sewer). The two are closely related — and a failed septic system can actually contaminate the well. Texas Inspection's Septic System Inspection service is commonly bundled with water well inspection on rural Brazoria County properties.
TREC Licensed #698 • Inspecting Texas Since 1986 • Serving Brazoria County & the Texas Gulf Coast