Before the visit
- Book a time. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974, or use the free test form. Let Jorge know if you are on city water or a well.
- Gather what you have. Your utility's annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report), any past lab results, and notes on what bothers you: smell, taste, spots, stains, dry skin.
- Have the decision makers there. If you share the home, it helps if everyone hears the results at the same time.
At the kitchen table: what gets screened
Jorge uses quick test kits and meters on water from your tap, and you watch the results yourself. Exactly what is checked depends on your water source and concerns, but a typical screening looks at:
- Hardness, the calcium and magnesium behind scale and spots.
- Chlorine or chloramine, the disinfectant your utility keeps in city water.
- Total dissolved solids (TDS), a general measure of what is dissolved in the water.
- pH, how acidic or basic the water is.
- Iron and odor, especially on wells, where staining and sulfur smells are common.
He also asks about your home: the number of people, bathrooms, where the main line comes in, and what is under the kitchen sink.
What the results mean, in plain words
The point is understanding, not alarm. Treated city water meets federal standards, so for most city homes the conversation is about taste, odor, scale and comfort. Jorge explains what each number means for drinking, cooking, showers and appliances, and which concerns treatment can address.
If treatment makes sense, he recommends only what fits your water and home, explains how it works, and gives you an itemized quote. If it does not make sense, he will tell you that too.
Screening vs certified lab analysis
| Factor | In-home screening | Certified lab analysis |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Quick readings for common properties like hardness, chlorine, TDS, pH and iron | Measured analysis of specific contaminants by a state-certified lab |
| Best for | Understanding taste, odor and scale issues and choosing equipment | Bacteria, nitrate, lead, arsenic and other health-related concerns, and designing well systems |
| Time | About 30 to 45 minutes at your table | Sample collection, then lab turnaround |
| Results | On the spot, explained in person | A written lab report |
A screening cannot confirm bacteria or most health-related contaminants. For those, EPA keeps information on state-certified labs, and the Florida Department of Health recommends private well owners test for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year.
When a lab test makes sense
- You have a private well, especially before designing a treatment system.
- The taste, odor or color of your well water changed, or the well was recently disinfected or flooded.
- You have a specific concern such as lead from older plumbing.
- Someone in the home has a health condition and a doctor asked about water.
Jorge can explain which lab test fits your concern. See home screening vs lab analysis.
After the visit
There is no pressure and no obligation. Take the quote, compare it with others, and decide when you are ready. If you move ahead, installation is scheduled and the water is tested again after the system goes in. Living Water also offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you.
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-01/ws-products-home-water-treatment-guide_v2_508.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/ccr/ccr-information-consumers
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/protect-your-homes-water
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist