Description
Do you have a well or spring?
What’s in your water?
The Virginia Household Water Quality Program aims to improve the water quality and health of Virginians with wells, springs and cisterns. We provide affordable water testing, help interpreting their water test results, and information about addressing problems.
How does it work?
- Pick up your sample kit at the Northumberland County Extension Office, 7154 Northumberland Highway, Heathsville, VA 22473. Pickup will occur Monday - Tuesday, 10/12/2026 - 10/13/2026, 9:00am - 3:00pm. Participants who are unable to access the office may call (804) 580-5694 to have their testing kit delivered to their vehicle in the parking lot.
- Collect samples in the morning and drop off the same day at the Northumberland County Library, 7204 Northumberland Hwy, Heathsville, VA 22473. Drop off will be a drive-through event in the parking lot on Wednesday, 10/14/2026, 8:00am - 10:00am.
- Samples are analyzed at Virginia Tech. Receive your confidential results, an explanation of what they mean, and information about addressing any problems via email, regular USPS mail, or a zoom or an in-person meeting about 5 weeks after the sample drop off.
Testing includes:
|
iron |
manganese |
bacteria |
arsenic |
|
sodium |
copper |
lead |
nitrate |
|
hardness |
pH |
total dissolved solids |
16 other metals and elements |
Cost: $70/sample kit
(comparable analysis at a private commercial lab would cost more than $300)
Please pre-register by Monday, 10/12/2026, 5:00pm, as space is limited.
* Please contact Trent Jones (jonesrt@vt.edu) if you require a financial assistance to participate; a limited number of subsidized kits are available.
All participant information is kept strictly confidential
WAYS TO REGISTER
Click on the appropriate Add to Cart button on this page, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your registration. If you have any trouble with registration, please contact our helpline by email at vceprograms@vt.edu.
This system is designed to process credit card payments only. If you would like to pay by cash or check, please contact the Northumberland County Extension Office at (804) 580-5694 to arrange payment and be added to the registration list. Returned check fees are determined by the financial institution and may incur a fee up to $50.
For more information about this program, please contact Trent Jones, Northumberland County Extension Office at jonesrt@vt.edu. You can also visit https://www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Trent Jones, Northumberland County Extension Office, at (804) 580-5694/TDD* during business hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (M-F) to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.