Getting a water test is the easy part. Understanding what the report actually says is where most homeowners get stuck, staring at abbreviations like TDS, gpg, and ppm with no idea what any of it means for their house.

United Plumbing has reviewed water test results for Fort Myers homeowners since 1980. This guide walks through the common sections of a typical report and what each one usually points toward.

Why Water Testing Matters

Fort Myers homes draw from a mix of municipal supply and private wells, and water conditions can vary block by block, especially for well water. A test is the only reliable way to know what is actually in your water, rather than guessing based on taste, smell, or what a neighbor's system uses. See our guide on what filtration actually removes for how specific contaminants are addressed once identified.

Reading the Common Sections of a Water Test Report

Most residential water tests, whether from a lab or a plumber's field kit, cover a similar set of measurements. Here is what each one is checking.

Hardness

Hardness measures calcium and magnesium content, usually reported in grains per gallon (gpg) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). Published water hardness scales generally classify results as soft, moderately hard, hard, or very hard, with higher numbers meaning more dissolved minerals and more potential for scale buildup in pipes, fixtures, and appliances.

pH and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

pH measures how acidic or alkaline the water is; water outside a neutral range can be more corrosive to pipes or more prone to scale, depending on which direction it leans. TDS measures the total amount of dissolved minerals and solids in the water; a higher number does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe, but it can affect taste and may point toward the need for additional filtration.

Chlorine, Chloramine, Iron, and Sulfur

Chlorine or chloramine readings usually reflect a municipal water supply's disinfectant, addressed with carbon filtration if the taste or smell bothers you. Iron and manganese show up as staining on fixtures and are addressed with iron filtration. Sulfur, showing up as hydrogen sulfide, produces the classic rotten egg smell and can come from several different sources, covered in more detail in the sources below.

Bacteria (Total Coliform)

A total coliform test checks for bacterial contamination. This is the one result on a water test that calls for prompt attention rather than a planned upgrade, since it can indicate a problem with the well, the water source, or the plumbing system that should be addressed quickly.

Almost every result on a water test points toward a type of treatment. A positive bacteria result is the one that points toward acting now instead of planning ahead.

Common Results and What They Typically Mean

What to Do With Your Results

Once you have a report in hand, the next step depends on what it shows. A positive bacteria result deserves a call right away. Elevated hardness, iron, sulfur, chlorine, or TDS readings are worth a conversation with a licensed plumber about which combination of treatment, filtration, or softening actually fits your results, rather than buying equipment based on a guess. Our water filtration cost guide and salt vs salt-free comparison are good next reads once you know what you are dealing with.

Sources and Further Reading

• U.S. EPA, drinking water contaminants and testing: epa.gov
• CDC, private well testing guidance: cdc.gov
• Florida Department of Health, drinking water quality: floridahealth.gov
• More guides from United: Fort Myers plumbing articles.

About the author: United Plumbing Inc has been the Fort Myers plumber for residential, commercial and new construction customers since 1980. Licensed technicians serve Fort Myers, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs and the barrier islands. Florida License CFC 1433130. Head office: 3560 Teeside Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33916. Reviewed by United Plumbing's service management team. Last updated September 2026.