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Well Water Testing · Afton, IA

Water testing in Afton

Water testing for Iowa homes, above all those on a private well. An accredited laboratory can test the water for coliform bacteria and E. coli…

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Afton · Union County

Well Water Testing in Afton

Water testing for Iowa homes, above all those on a private well. An accredited laboratory can test the water for coliform bacteria and E. coli, nitrate, arsenic and more. Iowa DNR recommends testing a private well at least once a year.

Afton is the Union County seat from 1855 until 1890, laid out by Edward Temple in the mid-1850s with a public square, and reached by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in 1865. Housing here runs to houses from the county-seat and railroad years after the mid-1850s platting, a large older stock built toward the 1880 peak of 1,231 residents, and postwar and newer homes, across the square and its surrounding blocks, the older residential streets, and the gateway to Three Mile Lake and Twelve Mile Lake.

Afton homes are inspected by a local partner in our Iowa network.  ·  Call or text (563) 517-7815

Well water in Union County

We found no Union County private well data in the sources we opened. Iowa DNR recommends that private well owners test for coliform bacteria and nitrate each year, test for arsenic at least once, and contact the county health department about free basic testing through the Grants to Counties program. The Iowa Geological Survey says Dakota aquifer water in its 16-county study area is generally fair to poor, with aquifer depth the main influence on dissolved solids and sulfate. We did not confirm which county wells use it.

County facts checked October 2026 against: iowadnr.gov, iowadnr.gov, igs.iihr.uiowa.edu, igs.iihr.uiowa.edu, naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu.

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Water tests available in Afton

Bacteria

Shows whether surface water or waste is reaching the well.

  • Total coliform bacteria
    Surface contamination reaching the well
  • E. coli
    Fecal contamination from septic, manure or wildlife

Health chemicals

No taste, color or smell. These are the long-term health checks.

  • Nitrate
    Fertilizer, septic and manure; highest risk to infants
    10 mg/L (EPA)
  • Arsenic
    Natural arsenic from rock and soil
    10 µg/L (EPA)
  • Lead
    Lead service lines, solder and brass fixtures
  • Manganese
    Natural manganese; a concern for infants
  • Fluoride
    Natural fluoride; dental health
    4.0 mg/L (EPA)
  • Uranium
    Natural radionuclide in groundwater
    30 µg/L (EPA)

Petroleum & solvents

Fuel and chemical spills from old tanks or nearby sites.

  • VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
    Fuels, solvents, degreasers and paints
    Varies by compound (EPA)
  • DRO (diesel range organics)
    Diesel and heating-oil petroleum

Household quality

Staining, scale and taste, and choosing the right treatment.

  • Iron
    Rusty staining and metallic taste
  • Hardness
    Scale buildup; sizing a water softener
    No health standard
  • pH
    Corrosive or scaling water
    6.5 to 8.5, aesthetic (EPA)
  • Sulfate
    Taste and odor; diarrhea risk for infants
    250 mg/L, aesthetic (EPA)

Limits shown are EPA drinking water standards. Your lab report compares each result to the standards that apply.

Afton private well testing timeline

Iowa DNR recommends testing a private well at least once a year. Its testing guidance lists coliform bacteria and nitrate every year and arsenic every 3 years, with at least one arsenic test for every well. Source: Iowa DNR
TestYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year 6
Coliform bacteria
Nitrate
Arsenic

Test again any time after flooding, after work on the well, or when the water's taste, color or smell changes, and always when you buy a home with a well.

How far a well must be from common hazards in Afton

  • Property line4 ft
  • Building sewer line10 ft
  • LP gas tank15 ft
  • Roadside ditch15 ft
  • Stream, pond, lake or wetland25 ft
  • Septic tank50 ft
  • Septic absorption field100 ft
  • Fuel oil or gasoline tank100 ft
  • Fertilizer or chemical storage150 ft
Source: Iowa Administrative Code 567, chapter 49

Septic, feedlot or fuel tank near the well? A coliform and nitrate test shows whether it is reaching the water. Get a free instant quote

Buying a home with a well in Afton: what happens at the sale

  1. Groundwater Hazard StatementIowa Code 558.69 requires a groundwater hazard statement filed with the declaration of value when a listed condition (including any known well and its status under 455B.190, or a private sewage disposal system) exists on the property, signed by a seller or agent, with a copy given to the buyer.
  2. Wells on the propertyIf known wells are on the property, the statement must give the approximate location of each and its status under Iowa Code 455B.190 (abandoned wells properly plugged); the owner is responsible for the accuracy of the information.
  3. Septic time-of-transfer inspectionIowa Code 455B.172(11) requires a private sewage disposal system serving a building to be inspected before any transfer of ownership, by a DNR-certified inspector, and the county recorder will not record the deed without the report or a binding acknowledgment.
  4. Failing systemsA system that is failing to treat wastewater must be renovated to current standards by the seller or, by agreement and within a reasonable time set by the county board of health or DNR, by the buyer (455B.172(11)(c)).
Source: Iowa Code and Iowa DNR

The paperwork tells you a well exists, not what is in it. Add water testing to your inspection. Get a free instant quote

Questions

Common questions.

Who needs well water testing in Iowa?
Any home on a private well, and above all one you are buying. Iowa DNR recommends testing a private well at least once a year, and also when a well is new, after work on the well or pump, and when the water changes in look, smell or taste.
Is well water testing part of the home inspection?
It is an add-on. Add it to your home inspection quote. Testing early in your inspection window leaves time to act on the results.
What drives poorer water quality in southern Iowa's Dakota aquifer?
The Iowa Geological Survey says the major factor influencing Dakota aquifer total dissolved solids and sulfate appears to be the depth of the aquifer, with higher values in its deeper north-central portion. Many communities still use it because the water can be treated or blended. This describes a regional study area, and we did not confirm any Union County well draws from it.
Afton was a county seat in the 1800s. What should I expect from an older house near the square?
Afton has a real stock of 19th-century and early-1900s houses, so we plan for the issues age brings. Foundation walls of stone, brick or block for cracking and moisture, the sills and floor framing, chimneys and flues, and the condition of the roof and attic are the things to watch. Older plumbing, galvanized or cast-iron lines, and outdated electrical panels are common findings. The places where additions or porches tie into the original frame are worth a look. Properties outside the sewered core may use a private septic system; Iowa Code 455B.172 requires an inspection of it before transfer. Union County is EPA Radon Zone 1, so a radon test belongs in the basement review.
Can I order a test kit from the State Hygienic Laboratory instead?
Yes. If the sanitarian cannot collect your sample or you prefer to do it yourself, the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa supplies sampling kits with sterile bottles and instructions. Use only the bottle the lab provides, since the coliform and nitrate bottles are specially prepared. The lab says samples should reach it within 48 hours of collection, so ship the same day and avoid Fridays and holidays. A water test during the sale of a home gives both sides lab data on the well rather than assumptions.
Does Iowa offer free or low-cost private well testing?
Yes. Iowa's Private Well Grants program, also called Grants to Counties, is run through Iowa HHS with DNR technical help. It provides free water testing for private well owners. The listed analytes are bacteria/E. coli/coliform and nitrate annually, plus arsenic and manganese every 3 years. A county health specialist collects the sample, so you start by contacting your county health department and asking to take part in the program. Testing is the only way to know whether a well's water is safe, and a baseline result helps a buyer judge the water at a home with a private well.
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